Thursday, December 31, 2009

Oklahoma City

We thought it would be fun to do something different while my family was visiting. Rebecca, my sister, did some research and found that there were several free things to do in Oklahoma City, so we decided to head that direction for a day or two. What an adventure! When we initially planned our little getaway we had no idea about the snow and ice that would be around. Apparently Oklahoma doesn't have it in their budget to clear the roads. It was an awful drive! What should have taken just over two hours took us over three! As if that wasn't bad enough, the guy car, my van (which I wasn't in), had a belt slip off on the highway on the way to the hotel. Thankfully my awesome husband was able to fix it without too much time or trouble! Then we decided to walk to dinner and the sidewalks were horrible! It was a bit scary! But we were determined to have a good time!


This place was one of our main reasons for going to OKC. We saw a program on PBS a while back that was all about an OKC cityscape that was built completely out of Legos and on display at the mall. We knew we would definitely need to take Ben there! We were SO disappointed to find out that you weren't allowed to take any pictures inside the exhibit. Ben was SO bummed! He did, however, think it was pretty amazing!

This is what Abby likes to do with the cinnamon sugar from her sopapillas. Crazy girl!


The treacherous walk back to the hotel after dinner.

Pool time fun! After our crazy day, the kids definitely needed some play time!

Nolan is attempting the slide.

Nolan really wanted to play in the water but just wasn't too sure about it.

Ben always has to make a face.

My silly girl!

My boys! :)

These boys are too stinkin' cute together!



"Ring Around the Rosie!"
Tried to get them to hold hands and do it together, but didn't capture that one...

Nolan snuggin' with his mommy.

Can you tell that this ramp down to the riverwalk is a solid sheet of ice? Well, it was! I wish I had my mom's pictures because later several of our crew went back to the ramp and had some fun! I wish I had the videos to share! Let's just say there was a lot of laughing involved! Good times!

See, solid sheet of ice!



We had to walk in a single file line because that's how they plowed the walk.

Skipping a stone in the river.

My babes on the riverwalk. Aren't they adorable!?

Me and my sis!

Grammy, Abby and Ben on a bridge over the riverwalk.

Nolan looks like a burrito baby! These boys never complained once while we were outside! I think they were plenty warm!

My baby girl!


This is the fence outside of the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

It always gets me seeing all of the chairs of those that lost their lives in the bombing and I think this is a beautiful memorial. I loved that they put wreaths on all of the chairs. So sad, yet so pretty.

The Survivor Tree. Amazing!

Overall a great little getaway!!

Christmas Day

As always, Ben and Abby were beyond excited for Christmas morning. They made it a record this year as far as how early they got up. I do believe 2:15a.m. is a bit too early! Yes, we did make them go back to bed. I think it was about 6:30a.m. when they attempted it again. I am usually as excited as they are and this year was no exception! I was SO happy to get to have some of my family in town to celebrate Christmas! If we aren't in Hutchinson or Indy, we are home alone. Christmas is definitely meant to be spent with others! We had a great day! Be prepared though, this is quite the photo overload! There are just way too many pictures that I want to share!

Merry Christmas, Ben & Abby!! (Abby looks so excited, doesn't she?)

Yep, I did it! I woke Luke up so we could open presents.

Stockings are always our favorites!

Merry Christmas, Jon!!

What could be better for breakfast on Christmas morning than animal crackers straight out of your stocking? Anything goes on Christmas!

What could possibly be in that huge box? A trampoline! I think they were shocked!!

Luke LOVES his 4-wheeler!!

Nolan's turn!

Luke would rather ride than open presents. :)

A little bit of chaos! I love it!!

Luke was getting the hang of opening the presents after a while.

We saved this one for last. It was from Grammy (my mom) and it was the one that Ben wanted to open the most! She really had him going as to what was in it. Everything from a vacuum to a dog that they forgot to cut breathing holes for. That crazy child will believe anything! He was thrilled to find out it wasn't anything he would have expected! Guitar Hero World Tour! Fun times for the whole family as you will see!

BLESSED!!! We are truly blessed!

I wasn't dreaming of a white Christmas, but this is what we got.

They really can get along sometimes...

The McCracken Family! (My sister, brother in law and nephew.)

What's more fun than getting new toys for Christmas? BOXES!!!

Luke LOVES to read!




See, lots of Guitar Hero fun to be had by all!

Apparently Ben plays better if his tongue is hanging out.

Our Christmas feast! YUM!!! (Luke was napping.)

Four sweet little snow bunnies.


WAY too cute!!

I have the cutest nephew!!

Grammy and Nolan going for a walk in the snow.

Going on a snowy Christmas walk.

Luke slept through dinner, so this is him finally eating his dinner while everyone else was out for a snowy walk.

Future rock stars!

We had a great, relaxing day! I am so thankful to have spent it with my family!! I certainly don't want to undermine the reason why we celebrate this great day! I am so thankful for Jesus coming for me! I don't even want to imagine what life would be like if he hadn't! Thank you, Jesus!