The One Where We Decorated

December 1-4, 2017
Thanksgiving is over, so that must mean Christmas is right around the corner.  And even though the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear, the way we like to do it is by putting up a Christmas tree, lights and inflatables in the yard, and stockings hung with care.  And this was the weekend to make it happen!  Among all the other usual things we do on weekends...

Emma spent this weekend with her dad, and Lara stayed in Stillwater with us.  Aside from decorating our house for Christmas - which led to finding some real gems of the girls as babies and toddlers, we also had our usual trip to Edmond for Jake's basketball game - and an awesome meal at Ted's!  Lara and I also made some fun ornaments for her to share with the SHS Wrestling Mat Maids.  Emma was in the holiday decorating mode with her family as well.  They went to a tree farm in Edmond to pick theirs out.  And Lara helped Finn pose with the inflatables in our yard. Other than that, it was an easy weekend of homework, laundry, church, and our family meeting.  Here are a few pictures of our weekend adventures:

So as we get ready to celebrate Christmas with our family, we are still in Basketball and Wrestling seasons for the kids, so our night are full of adventure!  Plus, there is the school year to finish out...

The One with Kansas Connections

November (22) 24-27, 2017
Long holiday weekends mean there's plenty of time for memories and mayhem!  This year, Thanksgiving Break proved to be a perfect time for all of that!  We started out with a skeleton of a plan, and it turned into a fun few days filled with family, surprises, and family antics.

We had made plans to go to "Aunt" Brona's house in Montezuma, Kansas.  It was "her year," so that meant all of her kids and grand kids would be there.  She has 5 grand kids ages 9-1, and then add my 4 - it was a lot of kids and a lot of hilarity.  And NOISE!  ;)  We knew it would be a big time with this BIG family, and it was not disappointing!

We left out mid morning on Wednesday out of Stillwater.  First stop was Orlando, to pick up Emma and her gear for the trip.  Next, we made a lunch break in Wichita.  Spangles, of course, per Jake's request.  We made it all the way to Greensburg, Kansas before we had to stop and stretch our legs again.  We went to out favorite little park that we first found on our Road Trip in 2013.  We let off some steam, then it was full speed ahead to Montezuma!

Once we got to Montezuma, it was a night of catching up playing games (Ticket to Ride, Spoons, and the little guys played a cards and marble game), grilling out, and celebrating November birthdays.  Britt, the boys and I stayed in the basement at "Aunt" Brona's house (with 12 of our closest relatives), while the girls went down the street to "Aunt" Kamela's house.  So strange, to me, to be on vacation with them, but I never really saw them... Just another reflection on the teenage years I suppose!

Thursday was Turkey Day!  24 for dinner, and so much fun!  Great food, great company, fun, games, and new experiences.  Emma and my boys went shooting with the big boys.  She got to try her hand at some big guns, too!  The boys each got to shoot the .22, and are glad they did.  After shooting, Emma went out with her cousin Todd to do some pheasant hunting, while the rest of us went to the wind farm for some family pictures. Then, it was back to the house for leftovers, and more GAMES!

Lara's first time at SPOONS!

After another good night of sleep, we got up Friday morning ready to hit the road!  There were the obligatory pictures, lots of hugs goodbye, and promises to not wait 4 years before we do it again!  We left late morning, and after a stop in Dodge City for yummy Mexican food for lunch, we were Oklahoma bound!

All the cousins!  Ages 15 to 22 months

Twins holding TWINS! Lara and Alex then Emma and Isaac

Lara (OG) and Emma

Lara (OG) and Lil Lara

When we were about 1.5 hours out from home, we got 2 phone calls that changed out next few hours.  First, we got a call and were offered 6 free tickets to the OSU vs. Kansas football game that was set to kick off in Stillwater at 11:00am on Saturday.  We were headed back so that Britt could be there to Uber, but going to Senior Day at Boone Pickens Stadium sounded AWESOME!  So, we started figuring out what all we needed to do to make that happen for our family.  Then, Emma got a call that she needed to stop by her house in Orlando to check on the horses and the dog.  Our 4.5 hour trip home would now be a solid 7 hours! LOL!  But, we made lots of memories along the way!

So, Saturday morning we were up early, bundled against the wind and cold, and on campus by 8:45 am to see The Walk and participate in pre-game activities - which included Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Cheese Fries at Eskimo Joe's.  We got to the stadium just in time to see the Senior Day activities, then we watched the cowboys beat the Jayhawks in the last home game of a spectacular season.

It got warmer so we took off our sweaters!

Found an "OLD" friend!

After the game, we took the Tahoe back to Nana and Grandpa's house in Perkins and spent a few hours there just hanging out with them.  Once back at home in Stillwater, it was time to relax.  Britt was out driving for Uber, the boys were on their devices, I was doing laundry, and the girls invited me to watch a movie with them.  Such a sweet time!  We sat in the dark, wrapped up in blankets, ate left-over Thanksgiving treats, and watched a silly movie.  A great way to end the night!

Sunday we all slept in and had a lazy morning.  Mid-day, we took Emma back to Orlando so that she could get some laundry done before she had basketball practice that afternoon.  Emma drove us out to Orlando, and Lara drove back to Stillwater.  They are both getting really good at that route, but need to practice more in town!  We finished our restful Sunday night with church (Lara was our driver), dinner (Lara was our driver), and a family meeting.  Back to the grind on Monday!

It was a Happy Thanksgiving for ALL!

The One With Overtime

November 17-20, 2017
t's been a busy week with some crazy plot twists!  I think the biggest thing to happen, is the Twisters turned 15 AND A HALF, and were able to get their Oklahoma Driver's License permits!  That means, we have dedicated chauffeurs for the next 6 months!  Although, there is still a lot of correction and direction happening as they drive.  I've already had to grab the wheel once this week...

As for the weekend, it started off Friday night with Emma and her Lady Panthers taking on Agra in an away basketball game.  All of the rest of the Dream Weavers as well as Nana and Grandpa showed up to cheer them on.  The boys played first (PLOT TWIST!) since Agra was having the basketball homecoming this night, and the girls needed time to change from their fancy dresses into their game uniforms.  While the boys were fun to watch, for us the main event was the girls' game.  And it did not disappoint.  It was fast paced, emotional, and not without controversy.  Regulation game time ended with a tie, so we went to OVERTIME! (PLOT TWIST!).  After another few minutes of intense play, the Lady Panthers came out with the W and the place went wild!

Emma let me braid her hair

For the trip home (about 30 miles), Lara requested to drive.  Easy highway miles, plus some night time driving - good experience for her.  Her 10 year old brother was beside himself with nerves, but we all survived!  Nana and Grandpa were right behind us for the first half of the trip until they turned off to go home in Perkins.  She did great until about 300 yards before our driveway.  Out little street is notorious for cars parked on either side.  She had to squeeze between 2 that were directly across from each other.  After praying for Jesus to take the wheel, I took matters in to my own hands...

This was a weekend for the girls to be with their Dad, but Lara had a Pioneer wrestling commitment on Saturday.  An EARLY MORNING commitment.  There was an open tournament in Cushing, and she was set to attend as the student trainer.  She wanted to look nice, so she set her alarm for 4:45am.  I needed to get her to the high school between 5:45am and 6:00am, so my alarm was set for 5:30am.  We got to the back parking lot about 5:50am.  Only to be greeted by the coach, who told us the tournament had been CANCELLED!  (PLOT TWIST!)  Coach said he did not have Lara's email or phone number, so he had no way of telling her before that.  UGH!  Oh well - back home and back to bed!

Mid-morning, after getting a hold of her dad and her sister, Lara went out to Orlando.  Emma got to drive from Orlando in to Stillwater, and back.  Lara was the nervous one this time!  While I am not sure of many details about the rest of their weekend, I do know that Lara borrowed a hoodie, some jeans, and a pair of "sturdy" shoes from Emma.  Once she was dressed appropriately, Emma and Lara went to a bonfire at a friend of Emma's house.  I was sent this picture, and at first glace I didn't even recognize Lara! (PLOT TWIST!)

Emma's Instagram Caption:
"Lara, wearing wrangler jeans and twisted X... at a bonfire? Someone take a picture!"

The girls spent Sunday doing their usual Sunday things.  I know they went to church at 11:30.  The rest of us went at 4:00.  A great opener by the band with a cover of "Thunder" by Imagine Dragons, then a GREAT message called "Thunderstruck" by Levi Lusko.  So glad that even if we go with (PLOT TWIST!) different people at different time, we still get the same message!  We love our Life.Church!

After church, we picked Lara up, went to grab some dinner, had out family meeting, and finished up another 2020 Project weekend.  It truly is going so fast!  Next weekend - THANKSGIVING!