Adventures of Oklahoma

As usual we have had lots of fun these last couple of months. I do not love living in Oklahoma. With the many visitors and abundance of fun activities to do here, I am surviving.  We had our very good friends the Saumwebers come and stay with us for a weekend. Not only was it a blast for Anthony and I  but the kids loved it to. My dad  also  for a quick visit. We didn't tell the kids he was coming. That was a great surprise. When the time came for him to leave poor Brendon was in tears. In between time of visitors we have ventured out a few times to down town Oklahoma and Brick Town. We have found a few places that we really enjoy.

Thursday I went on Brendon's first school field trip with him. I love watching him interact with his friends. He also had his first friend from school birthday party. Zachary a boy in Brendon's class turned 5. They had his party at a bowling ally. Brendon thought he had gone to birthday party heaven!

Arianna is the comic relief and trouble maker at house. Example: Anthony was playing and kind of teasing her. She pointed her finger at him and says  "You are buggin me! ALL THE DAY!!!" I could not stop laughing. Good thing she is so cute. She continues to love swim and dance class. 

Weekend with the Saumwebers

A full and happy car.

How do you keep two boys busy? Mario brothers on nintendo. If I am being honest Joe and Anthony played it a lot more than these two boys.

the cute girls

The grand Pops!

Best Buds

GRANDPA CAME TO TOWN

first night with grandpa

cuddle time with grandpa

Preschool field trip.

Dance Class
It was dress up for Halloween week at dance. That is why everyone is in costume.

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE PLACES 

 The fair

I am  from a big city, but had never seen a fair cover as much ground as the one in Oklahoma. It was a blast.

Spaghetti Warehouse

kids favorite restraurant 

The Tulsa Aquarium 

Brendon was brave enough to touch a baby bull shark. He sat there for 5 minutes or more hoping to touch one.

The Bone Museum

Despite Brendon's face in this picture he was having fun.

 Lunch with Daddy!

Now that Anthony has an office close to where we live we can eat lunch with him. Okay maybe daddy never eats lunch, but the kids enjoy it.

Summer time

This summer has had many ups and downs. Despite some of the downs it was still a great summer filled with, baseball, dance, family and birthdays. First we had the kids birthday celebrations. Anthony's parents drove down to Oklahoma to celebrate the 4th of July and birthdays with us. As alway it was great to have visitors. Surprisingly this year I did not do a big party for either kid. We did have a fun family celebration for each one. Arianna's birthday we celebrated on the fourth while grandpa and grandma Hoffman were here. On her actual birthday we took her to her favorite restaurant Cheese Cake Factory. A week and a few days later we celebrated Brendon's birthday. He wanted a fish for his birthday. Anthony was thrilled with this idea!! Not!! We took Brendon to the pet shop and let him pick out a fish. He also wanted to have his birthday dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory. The morning of his birthday I had the whole living room decorated and filled with balloons to surprise him. Both the kids loved it.

Birthday Presents

Elmo Cake

watching fireworks

The new fish. Blue Tank is his name. No surprise if you notice everything is blue.

Birthday decorations

alligator cake

After all the birthday celebrations ended it was time for the T-ball season to start. Brendon loved learning and practicing t-ball. He is definitely his father's son. He was pretty good to. I loved sitting in the bleachers watching his little team play. Amazingly his team was really good and always got people out at each inning. Brendon also had his first dentist appointment. He had no cavities and did great.
Arianna had summer dance camp also known as Princess camp. She went for a few days from 9am-12pm. She  learned a lot and has really found a love for dance. I hope she keeps it.

First of many home runs!

 Brendon's first dentist appointment.

With summer coming to a close we had one more group of visitors come to our house. My sis Beckie and her hubby Marque made a move to Texas for school. On there way there they stopped in Oklahoma to say hi. We only had them for a few days, but it was great. They even brought there two pets and Grandma Mills! I am very excited to have a sibling within a day drive. Only took 6 Years for that to happen!

 Brendon loved the dog Rio. 

Arianna loved my sisters cat dusty. She loved him so much he began to hide from her.

The last part of summer wasn't so much fun. We found out we lost the baby we were expecting in March. I was 10 weeks along. I went in for my first doctor appointment and found out the baby had passed away at 8 weeks. It was hard sit there  and stare at the ultrasound seeing the little body of my baby and wishing that the little heart would start beating again. Having had a miscarriage before I was hoping it would be easier this time around. It was not. In fact it was much harder without the great support of friends I had in Arkansas. We did recieve a huge blessing inspite it all.  My mom was still in Texas when we received the news. She was able to change her flight plans and come to my aide. After trying to miscarry on my own without success. We had to go into surgery for a D and C. I am grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and my sweet family. I am blessed with two beautiful children who remind me that each day with them is a gift. My husband is still alive despite my  hormonal moments. I love him so much. I am one lucky girl. The Lord has a plan for all of us. I know this did not happen to hurt me, but to strength me. I am walking away from it a better person.

Major Catch Up

Life has been a bit crazy the last few months. I will do my best to share the highlights and get up to date with our family happenings.
Lets see.... We first found out we where going to be moving to Oklahoma in February. This meant we had to sell or rent our house in Arkansas. We decided to put it up for sell and see what would happen. Since we knew our time was limited in Arkansas we wanted to go see some sights we had not yet seen, One being the Wild Life Safari. I will admit it was awesome! You got to feed and pet kangaroos and many other animals. While driving through the safari animals would come up to the car or just stand in the middle of the road. It was amazing.

Anthony loved this pig.

 This monkey sat on our car's window ledge hoping we had food. When we didn't she slammed his hands and face on the window. 

Of all the amazing animals to be impressed and amused with my kids couldn't get enough of the house cat.

We also had to go to one last Natural Baseball Game. We took one of our Best Friends Gene Ann.

My little sis Beckie got married in April. The kids and I flew to Utah for a couple week and had Anthony join us for Easter and the Wedding. It was a great time. The wedding was the most crazy event ever,  but in the end my sis became Mrs. Varela. It was great spending Easter with family. We did a family Easter Egg hunt and Sunday dinner all together. 

The only thing Brendon wanted to do while in Utah was fishing. He had never been but knew Grandpa Mills had and wanted to go. Despite the cold and zero chances of catching a fish we all went anyway.

The Lord knew how badly Brendon wanted to catch a fish. My little man was thrilled. We were the only ones that caught a fish in the pond.

Arianna's First year Build a bear outing.

My Sister Kellie and I at the Bridal Shower

Coloring Easter Eggs.

Easter Sunday

 Riding in Grandpas Beamer with there heads out the sun roof.

Easter Basket for Brendon

Easter Basket for Arianna

The Egg Hunt

Pedi Before the Wedding. Arianna Loved it.

Pretty Toes!

Arianna with Great Grandma Mills

Arianna offering her services unwrapping wedding presents.

After we arrived home from Utah and started  to prepare to move to Oklahoma. I got released as a councilor in the Primary (My Favorite calling thus far). Anthony continued working in Oklahoma during the week and drive back to Arkansas for the Weekend. After two months of him commuting we  were blessed and our house sold. In the end of May we packed up and made the move. My mother saved the day and flew out to help. I  couldn't have done it without her. Especially since Anthony stayed in Oklahoma to work.

 We have enjoyed it in OKC so far. The area we live is great. I love being in a big city again. The best part of it all is I don't have to shop at Walmart anymore!!!! Yay!! Love it! We have discovered a few great place that we love here: The Zoo, Pops, and Joe's Crab shack. We have many more place to visit and discover. OKC is a big place.

Grandma Mills Helped  keep the kids happy with while unpacking with some new backyard toys. A water set and a slide. Arianna loved the water set.

 The Zoo

Pops 

Any wonder why the kids love this place.

he loves his sun drop.

Joe's Crab Shack.