summer music

We went to the first Sunday night summer concerts at the Myriad Gardens with friends from church. A good time was had by all. Elle especially loved running around with her friends. They got a bit wild, and I have no idea what's going on in the last pic. Keely and Elle are still friends though so I guess it's okay.

one of our favorite pastimes

Before we left on our trip to TN/KY we went to a couple of baseball games. The first was to the Mark Harmon Charity game at UCO. This was for my mom. She's a big NCIS fan and when we found out she could see Mark Harmon we had to take her. Sorry about the washed out pics. My camera was on a weird setting and I didn't realize it until I loaded the pics. Another example of why I will never have a career as paparazzi.

My sister Casey getting my mom and autograph.

We also went to a Redhawks game with the kids here for the mentorship program. We had awesome seats and got some free hats.

This is the only way Elle would take her picture with Ruby, even though she really wanted a picture with her.

swim lessons 2012

Elle took swim lessons at the downtown Y Tuesdays and Thursdays in May. She did well most nights, especially the last half. She's much more comfortable in the water! She might do some more later, but we'll see!

Ready the first night!

kicking!

floating on the last night

memorial day 2012

Since we had graduation on Saturday of Memorial weekend we didn't go out of town, but we did go to a lake. We met our friends Daniel, Lacey, and Issac at Lake Hefner for a morning picnic and then went Macklanburg Park to play in the sprayground. Excuse the whiteness, we haven't been out in the sun much yet!

"cousins"

When we were in Tulsa for Anna's banquet we were finally able to meet Corey, our new foster "cousin/nephew". He's so sweet and he fit right in with the other kiddos.

Derek (4), Elle (3), Ruby (2-for another week), Corey (8 months), Todd (5 months)

We weren't going to be able to make it to Ruby's birthday party so we gave her a present early. The big kids enjoyed playing in Ruby's "garden". While Todd and Corey loved the paper.

 I include this pic to mention that my grandma's neighbor is officially know as Sue Next Door. I'm pretty sure everyone thinks that's her last name. It just makes me laugh. It feels like home when everyone's gabbing over the fence. Mops even got a little playtime with Sue's dogs.

wrapping up the school year: part 2

Graduation 2012!!!

I wasn't so sure about taking the kids to graduation this year, but I'm so glad I did! OSSM graduation is held on the steps of the capital. Last year it was so hot Elle and I left our seats about 5 minutes after it started to hide under a tree. I didn't think with Todd this would go very well. I really wanted to at least try for our girls. I dressed us all in cool clothing, and loaded up the stroller with their camp chairs, quilt, snacks, and toys. We got there right at the start and discovered we had cloud cover! We got to sit up close for longer than I expected, but eventually Elle and Todd got squirmy so we headed for our same tree. We could still hear and see everything. The kids lasted the whole time! It was so nice! Elle had some other little girls to play with and dragged her chair around, played with the rocks and flowers, and ate her snacks. Todd loves being outside so he enjoyed playing with his toys and watching Elle. Some of the speeches were great, and I loved watching and cheering for the kids we have grown so close to. It was nice to see the parents so proud. It was also bittersweet. I kept thinking that those are their babies and mine are sitting on the grass with me now, but it won't be long before they have a cap and gown also. I had to give each of them a little extra squeeze.

wrapping up the school year: part 1

Elle had her last day of Sonshine School for this year. We're taking a break for the summer, but planning on her going back in the fall two days a week. She had to say goodbye to Ms. Melanie (left) and Ms. Sandra (right). They were such awesome teachers and Elle has been missing her time with them and her friends.

Chris and I attended Dr. Manning's retirement party. It's the ending of an era around here and she'll be missed. It was a lovely dinner and it helped raise a lot of money for OSSM.

Chris, Todd and I were privileged to attend the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence gala celebration at the Renaissance Tulsa a couple of weekends ago. One of Chris' students was chosen as one of the 100 Academic All-stars for Oklahoma. Anna chose Chris as her honored guest, which is a big deal since this is his second year of teaching. We have been lucky to have Anna on our floor the last two years. She's incredibly sweet and so talented. Here's a clip of the speaker from the event, CNN host and TIME Magazine editor Fareed Zakaria. Anna is also a Presidential Scholar and will go meet the president this year. She's one of two for Oklahoma this year and one of six that OSSM's history.