Har-Ber Village

 On Sunday, after leaving New Life Ranch, some friends joined us off the beaten path to Har-Ber Village.  Har-Ber Village is a hidden gem in Oklahoma.  This was our second visit and we enjoyed it just as much.

 I think the water wheel and Grand Lake in the background is my favorite part!

New Life Ranch

 Our church went on a two night stay at New Life Ranch. We headed out early on a Friday morning, excited to start this adventure.  Life had been just a bit too hectic and we all needed some R&R.

 Right off the bat, the boys & Cait jumped into canoes & kayaks and got into the water!

 We got Lily in the boat once but she was happier with her feet on the ground. Below is a view from our cabin door.  It really was a beautiful place to spend the weekend.

 Cait had some fun jumping on the Kangaroo Cage and Lily preferred the wooden train.

 Cam, Bren & JC went to shoot skeet and then do the ropes course and zip line.  All day on Saturday was a fishing contest and Cam loved running around with his friends, fishing on any whim.

 The girls were VERY excited to ride horses.  This was the highlight for them!

 We got done riding horses in time to watch daddy on the zip line.

 There was lots of fun, lots of friends, lots of food and lots of worship.  It was the best weekend our family has had in a really long time and we are so grateful for all of it!

July's Summertime Fun

 Finding fun to do in the heat of the summer can be tricky. To be honest, we've spent most of the month at home and only venturing out to visit friends or for the necessary errands.

 My van battery died at the gas station and while we waited for Daddy to rescue us, we walked over to a nearby truck stop and passed our time.  I am so thankful Daddy's work is so flexible that he can leave when we need him!

 We've never been successful at growing tomatoes until this summer.  We have had a perfect amount to keep us stocked with tomatoes.  It's fun for the kids to go out everyday and pick them.

 My Grandparents celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.  And I found out they eloped.  I love my grandparents so much and I am so thankful that I have been blessed by spending so much time with them.  The kids were happy to spend time with their cousins during the dinner for my Grandparents.

 Cam got a Balloon Bonanza for his birthday.  It was actually pretty amazing.  They didn't all work but more than 1/2 did.  It was way better than filling up individual water balloons!

 Cait has a new found love for Tin Tin.  I recently picked up a Tin Tin book from the library for Cam but it was Cait who has spent HOURS (literally!) looking at the pictures.  Every day, that has been her favorite thing to do.  We had to take back the library copy but we bought 3 books for her and even found these old Tin Tin cartoons that follow the books perfectly!  I'm not sure what she likes so much about them but I love seeing her show such an interest in books!  She isn't reading yet but she's so close!

The kids went to Granny's for a week.  I cleaned the house from top to bottom (above is my odd assortment of treasures that I found), Daddy and I had FIVE dates and I got to take a trip with some friends!  I think it was win-win all the way around.   

Cait & Lily had a blast playing with their new friend at Granny's.

Mother's Day Weekend

 Cait's first ballet recital was Sunday, Mother's Day.  (Most of my pictures were from dress rehearsal on Friday.)

 She has really enjoyed ballet this year.  It's been fun to see her blossom with Miss Ashley.

 

She is our little ballerina!

 Saturday of Mother's Day weekend was the Open House for Grace Home.  It was fun to be a part of this ministry and their BIG day!

 In the midst of a really rainy spring, it's wonderful to see a reminder God's promise.

 We had church in Carnegie before heading home for the ballet recital.  It was a flurry of activities but it was a wonderful weekend full of adventure and family! I am thankful to have the privilege of being a mama to these four kiddos.  My heart overflows with joy and love.

Beavers Bend - Day 3

The rain came in during the night on Saturday and continued until right when we drove out of the town.  Check out was 11 so after breakfast we gathered everything and quickly loaded in the rain.  Even though it was raining, it was still a beautiful morning and a great day to celebrate JC's birthday!

 I am pretty sure that Beavers Bend is my favorite Oklahoma vacation spot.  I look forward to our next trip.

 We have decided that we are entirely unimpressed by Italian food in Krebs and McAlester.  So when we hit lunch time in McAlester we stopped at Angel's Diner. The girls were so excited that everything was pink, even the parking lot lines!

 We got the staff to sing Happy Birthday to JC and the kids posed by the old cars out front.

The drive home was much less exciting than our drive. Lily talked all the way home.  I drove the second half to let JC get a birthday nap.