Last of the fun with G-Ma and da Bunny

I know, I know. I have been slacking on updating the blog (I'm not nearly as bad as my husband is though.) Truth be told, I just haven't had the time. We are too busy enjoying SUMMER! I did need to update it with the last of the photos from my mom and aunt's visit though. So here goes...

Self-explanatory picture (although she is 2 days away from being 20 months now)

A sneak peak at Ella's new playroom

Apparently Ella has found a very cozy area to read

Redneck ladder. My mom just HAD to take this photo. And no, we don't own a ladder.
Blame Tom for that one. He's in charge of tools and such.

Fun with G-ma!

Yeah, that's Riley being suffocated by Ella. I think Riley secretly enjoys the extra attention.

A quick photo before they headed out and left us allll by ourselves:(

So there is an update for you! I mean, what else would I be doing on a Saturday night?

Father's Day is here...

but it's sad because Tom is away for it. Ella and I went to church this morning and the priest had the dads stand for a special blessing. I thought about standing since I am sort of filling in for his role! But I decided against it. I know Tom would have felt pretty special though. He deserves to feel that way. He is a great dad. He adores Ella and I know how much he misses his hugs and kisses from her. I do wish he was here today so we could spoil him with love and attention, but I know he enjoyed a day of golfing with friends and a fabulous Subway dinner;) Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband and to my own dad...and to all the extra special dads out there as well.

Tour Guide

While my mom and aunt visited, I was able to play tour guide of Ft. Sill. Do I know ANYTHING about Ft. Sill? Absolutely not. I know how to get onto post and drive to a few "historical" places and I know how to get to Mt. Scott. Other than that, I am the world's worst tour guide. My mom and aunt would ask me questions and I would try to think "how would Tom answer this?" But I am not a history buff like that guy. He can even answer questions without knowing a lick of info about it, but make it seem like the truth. It's an amazing trait he has. But thank goodness there were signs to explain everything so I didn't have to think too hard;) Here we are discovering Cannon Walk and the museum...

Ghost hunting

Ella putting her cookie up to the wall to listen for voices (of the ghosts of course)

Walking along Cannon Walk

Love Ella's expression in this photo

After Cannon Walk, we drove a little ways to visit the gravesite of Geronimo. (I think this was my 4th visit?) So here we are in the cemetery and I couldn't help but see a perfect picture opportunity for Ella. What is better than sitting your child in a field of wild flowers (aka weeds) in front of some tombstones? Don't judge me.


After visiting Geronimo, we took a drive to Mt. Scott. It's the tallest mountain in OK. (See, I guess I do know SOME information). We brought Ella up to the mountain when she was just 2 weeks old. They grow up too fast.

Look at that beautiful view

I look cool, right?

Watching mommy write with rocks

Ella, 2 weeks old...her first trip up the mountain. She's grown a little, huh?

This was a really long post. I applaud you if you made it this far. Again, thanks for checking in on us! Love to all! If you reallllly want to see more pics of our adventure, click here.

Antiquing

My mom and I share a love for antiquing. For some reason we love to search through other people's old junk. In Germany, my mom bought us an antique table. At the time, it had a green top and sanded down wooden legs. But I loved the shape of it and had a vision to make it beautiful. When Tom saw it for the first time, he must have thought my mom and I lost our minds. It was really hideous to say the least. Needless to say, my mom refinished it and now it's my prized possession. (You might see it in some of my pics...it's the black table in the entry way with the mirror above it). It's a treasure! During a recent outing to Duncan, OK I found a new treasure! It was an ugly old children's bench and when I saw it, I just had to have it for Ella's playroom. I found out later my mom thought it was horrendous as well and didn't see my vision for it coming to life. BUT let me go ahead and buy it anyway;) It turned out adorable and Ella loves it. The fabric on the seat matches the curtains in her playroom. Thanks mom and Aunt Lynda for your help!

Ella enjoys looking at the old junk, too!

Window shopping with da Bunny

"ummm ok mom, what are we doing now?"

We had to take a break from the serious treaure hunting and try on these fabulous hats. And shawl.

Ella says "How do I look? Silly, right?"

And now for my treasure!

Before pics-ugly bench with faded cherry fabric

After pics- Beautiful white bench with pretty fresh fabric!

It has been awhile...

As you all know, my mom and Aunt Lynda made a trip out to Oklahoma this month. They stayed for 12 days and to me, it was entirely too short of a visit, but all good things must come to an end. I hope they enjoyed themselves as much as I enjoyed having them here. It was the best feeling in the world to see Ella warm right up to both of them and give them hugs and kisses. It was also a very nice break to have someone else read to her, change her and bathe her. Not that I am complaining about doing those things for her, but all mamas need a little reprieve every now and then! I definitely shed a few tears (after they left of course). I miss them very much, but we will see them in a few short weeks when we visit "da bunny" in NY (the nickname for my aunt is Aunt Bunny so Ella calls her "da bunny" now...it's ridiculously cute.)

"Gamma" and Ella

Ella sound asleep after one of the many walks Aunt Bunny took her on.

Don't worry...there are more updates to come! ;)

Lawton Fun!

The weather has been beautiful here lately. Blue skies and temps in the 70s and low 80s. Such a difference from the month of April when we were stuck indoors on a daily basis from the monsoons! We (and by "we" I mean Callie and I) have been keeping the kids busy taking them to the Spray Park on post and to the playgrounds during our walks. And earlier this week we discovered Nations of Fun. It's an indoor playground with a bunch of arcade games. Perfect for dreary, overcast days. Ella definitely doesn't have any skee ball skills as she would THROW the balls like baseballs down the alley and she would climb onto it as well thinking it was a really cool place to sit.

She LOVES the Spray Park though and giggles away as the fountains spray her with water! I love hearing her laugh and seeing her really enjoy the little things. Makes my days go by faster! Thank goodness for summer fun. I just wish Tom was here to enjoy it all too!

Nations of Fun! I think my kid really likes guns. She always picks
them up and says "bang bang"

At Elmer Thomas Park feeding the ducks. I would let her out of the stroller, but I am terrified the dirty little animals will eat her. There are tons of ducks there.

Apparently she doesn't want to share the Cheerios with the ducks. (We forgot bread).

At the playground

At the spray park on post!

This is their favorite part!

Told you she likes guns!

Look out Ella!!

Just kidding. She was walking in front of it. No big splash for her. Thanks for looking!