Our Story - 4.20.11

Afton and I got to go on a little big girl trip this weekend to attend a bridal shower for Ashley, my new sister-in-law. She has been so excited about going to "Ashley's party" since I told her about it several weeks ago. Even though we had to leave at 4:3o AM she was bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready for an adventure!

By the second flight all the excitement had taken its toll our our little traveler and she pooped out. When I woke her up to get off the plane she said "Why are we standing up?" I told that we where getting off the plane. She said "But we didn't even fly yet." I wish I could sleep that well on planes.

I didn't get any pictures at the actual event. I am notorious for only having pictures of the car ride when we go on trips and none of the actual trip. I guess I am just too busy having fun. If I had gotten pictures there you would have seen a radiant bride-to-be, a four year old in party dress more than excited to be at a fancy grown up lady party, and a whole bunch of yummy food and fun friends and family that I am looking forward to really partying with at the wedding this summer.

On the drive back to Skiatook I was reminded of my love of the Oklahoma country side. So stunning. So comforting to my soul in a way that only home can be.

One glass of wine on the back porch and I knew I couldn't leave my home state less than 24 hours after I arrived. I called Ron and asked if he minded if I switched to a later flight. Of course he didn't. He's such a sweetheart.

While we were outside taking in the beauty of God's country Afton was inside coloring. She wrote her name on this paper which was something I didn't even know she could do. So proud. It was also exciting because I could let her play inside while we were outside. I was able to give her so much freedom on this trip because she didn't have her little sisters in tow. It was a lot of fun giving her a little autonomy. She relished it.

Switching to the later flight meant we got to stop by and say hello to Nana and Papa. Papa and Afton really hit it off this time.
Afton was also able to do a little shopping for the people back home. This is what she picked out for Daddy because "he really like Jesus". Still cracking me up.
She also got to have a little spa time with Yaya before the big flight back!

We were only gone for a day and a half but the little girls grew up on us while we were away. Look at Rose chilling in the back seat of the van, facing forward like she is too cool for school.

Our little princesses got to hang out with the their favorite princes this week.
Hopefully the princess-ness does not rub off too much, though I commend Jack for his thoughtful use of the Piperlime Accessory Wall.
Don't worry, he's still a man's man.
A little pre-lunch Veggie Tales? Don't mind if they do.
A girl's night in Mommy's room while Daddy's in Virginia? Don't mind if we do.

I Probably Won't Bake Something New Everyday

1. I don't have time to have a fancy blog with long double proof read posts, but I do miss having a way to remember my thoughts as my days pass me by, open my life to my friends and acquaintances, and leave a record for my children of their infancy and childhood, so I am back, but keeping it simple.

2. I have decided to bake my brains out this holiday season and I can't wait! I have always loved the idea of holiday goodies everywhere all season long. That was how it was at my Nana's house growing up. There was never a day without a pie or some candies or special bread or something yummy! It made everything so special. I have been wanting to make the holiday season a celebration everyday all season long and I can't really think of an easier or better way to celebrate than with food. My only drawback has been all those calories. How could I make festive goodies everyday and not end up as fat as a Christmas goose myself. This unanswered question has been what has kept me from ever embarking on my holiday baking mission. But I got thinking....what with me pregnant and all and not really supposed to be worried about calories and not really supposed to be too worried about my weight this will be the perfect season to try my experiment.  So here we go!  Well, beginning November 1st (Ron's birthday and my official start of holiday season) pumpkin muffins and pumpkin pie will start things off and will give way to Christmas candies, cookies, and ciders as our thoughts turn from Thanksgiving to Christmas.  It is going to be yummy around here!  I probably won't bake something new everyday, but when the last treat runs out I will know it is time to start something up!  I think it is gonna be a fun way to keep all that we have to celebrate in the forefront of our minds.  If it turns out awesome I will keep doing it in years when I am not pregnant.  Fattening up for winter is good right? Plus I will never be wanting for a New Year's Resolution!

3.  Afton and Ponder went to Chuck E. Cheese's for the first time in her life yesterday.  That place is so fun!  I had forgotten.  We were on a fifteen hour ride home from Florida and we wanted pizza for lunch.  The only pizza place at our exit was Chuck E. Cheese, not really the kind of place you want to stop on a fifteen hour trip.  We really wanted pizza though and I told Ron the kids don't even know what it is so they won't ask to play unless we bring it up.  We could just eat there like it was a regular pizza place and they would be none the wiser.  Good enough plan, but once we got inside the fun took over.  It started with me!  As soon as I saw the skeet ball machines I told Afton me'n Daddy were about to get nasty on some skeet ball.  She had know idea what that even was.    Then there were the tradional singing animals, (Afton adored them of course.) , the blue screen kids could dance in front of and then be put up on huge TV screens so everybody in the restaurant could see them, the five free tokens that came with our food that we just has to use!  We were sunk.  Fun was going to be had.  The trip would have wait.  Our pizza was disgusting, but we left thinking there was no where better we could have stopped!  After a couple of rides on cars and horses and merry go rounds Afton was a new kid, totally renewed for the trip.   Just getting to see the singing animals and watch her sister dancing on a big TV screen was enough to lift Ponder's spirits.  Ron and I did try our hand at the skeet ball.  Let's just say together we didn't make enough tickets to buy even the cheapest toy.  There is always next time though, and there certainly will be a next time!