Highground Hideaway

After 14 hours of traveling and being cooped up in the car, the kids were so glad to reach our destination Saturday evening.  We arrived here at the Ranch about 5:30 CST.  They quickly went to exploring the area.  Not much had changed other than our location on the ranch.  As they were exploring they found a tree house.  You would think they had found a buried treasure.  They were so excited.  (please for those of you reading, don't mention to my father or Nanny that they are climbing this tree, they will freak)  The kids love it.  They both are getting really good at climbing for the short time we have been here so far.  Their only complaint is all the sap!  They have started a collection of pine cones and decided that the tree house was a good place to store them and keep them safe!

Did I say I didn't have much to share in my first webpost?  What was I thinking anyway?!!

 

Madi has spent some time taking pictures and she wanted you to be able to see the view from the tree house. 

 

The view over our the top of our cabin. 

The pine cones.

Parker found all of these nails in the tree house and decided to nail them all in the wood so no one would step on them.  As if many people would climb the tree and step on the nails.  

Hollywood Studios

The first day in Orlando, we decided to tackle the Hollywood Studios. The kids were really pumped to get up and go the first day.  We were there bright and early.   The Little Mermaid was our first ride.  I should say our first line.  LOL  It was just one of many.  Soon, we were on to many more that day.  We closed the park down that night with Fantasmic and Toy Story.  We walked and ran many a mile and that was just Day One. 

 

Indiana Jones Stunt Show

Honey I Shrunk the Kids

This is one of my favorite films from when I was growing up.  It is funny though, this is one film my kids haven't seen.  They were loving the huge sized playground. 

One last picture before we left the park at closing had to be Mickey's sorcerer hat.  Awesome!

Christmas at Great Wolf Lodge

This year for Christmas my parents took all of us to Grapevine, Tx. to Great Wolf Lodge. There were nine of us:  Papa, Nana, Cara, Brynn, Jarrett, Chris, Madison, Parker, and myself.  We had such a great time.  The kids loved the indoor water park.

Nana and Papa getting the kids ready for bed.  It had been a long day of riding in the car, and everyone was ready for some sleep.

Before we could go to bed that night Madi, Parker, and Jarrett had to write letters for Santa.

 

 

A four person water slide.  They all loved it!

2009 Blizzard

I wish I could start this by saying we watched the snow pile up from the warmth of our living room.   I also wish now that I would have had time to take lots of pictures of our experience on Christmas Eve , but I can't ! We had an experience that is truly unforgettable, just wish I had the pictures for when my memory fades!  (haha)  Anyway, we did have a most blessed Christmas Holiday with family and we are truly blessed to have made it to our destination that day unharmed.  (and before dark)  I say all of this now laughing and grinning but that day there wasn't much to smile about.  This is how the day unfolded.

On Christmas Eve morning we left home at about 7:30 am.  We headed out early thinking that we would be leaving early enough to miss the snow storm that was moving into Oklahoma. Little did we know that it was also moving in to Tx.   We were just sure that as we drove south we would be getting into better weather.  When we reached Mtn. View at about 8:25 am.,  I knew that the drive ahead was going to be a long one.  It normally only takes about 30 minutes to get to Mom and Dad's house.  When we left there, again we thought that we would get out of the heavy snow.  I am not sure what time it was when finally reached the Love's gas station on the north side of Lawton but it wasn't soon enough.  The kids were already going crazy and starting to fight.  I knew I couldn't stand it much longer in the white out conditions much longer without cleaning the windshield and taking a break.  We all cleaned our windows and headed out again.  The next time we stopped was at the McDonald's on the turnpike south of Lawton.  When we stopped here is was blowing ice pellets.  It wasn't snow anymore but the road conditions continued to dwindle all day long.  The kids were totally oblivious to the conditions.  The turnpike was down to two lanes from four, unless you were the idiots driving crazy in the 2 ft of snow covering the second lane.  And believe me when I say that they do exist out there.  We saw so many crazy people out there driving way too fast.  Sad thing is that most of them ended up in the ditch or in the wrong lane. 

As we got closer to Burkburnett, I was about to die.   I kept thinking this has to get better.  Nope,  it didn't.   Just as we entered into Tx. at the edge of Burkbunett, the road was blocked by police officials having us to detour off of the highway to avoid the overpasses that were covered in  4 ft. snow drifts.   After that we were able to get back on the highway and continue on to Wichita Falls.  At this point I am thinking to myself, this is the most snow we have seen all day.  How are we ever going to make it.   There were times I wondered if we would make it.  But as Chris would remind me like Dori on Finding Nemo "just keep swimming."  He was very encouraging that day from the walkie talkie in the car behind me!!  Thank the Lord for him and my mother!!  I don't think I could have made it without them.

At Wichita Falls, Chris asked me to please pull over at the Wal-Mart so we could use the restroom and scrape the windows.  It was snowing so hard and heavy that I couldn't even see the sign to exit.  I know that sounds unbelievable but it is the honest truth.  I never even saw the sign in order to exit.  I did eventually just pick one exit and got off.  It happened to be at a gas station!  We were able to take a break here and clean our windows again.  We headed on to Decatur, Tx. ( Dec-a-tur , that's for you  BP, LOL)  Highway 287 from Wichita Falls to Decatur, Tx. were the absolute worst of the whole trip.  It was absolutely miserable.  There were times when we were just idling.  The snow was so heavy around Bowie that I couldn't even see Chris behind me or my dad it front of me.  That was truly scary time.  I have never been in conditions like this.  So much snow falling and falling so heavy and fast.  I thought for sure now that I wasn't going to make it.  I wanted to crawl up in the seat and cry. But I didn't!!  Yeah for me.  I was a big girl.  Aren't you all so proud of me!!  I am.  :)

We finally made it to Grapevine, Tx. that evening about 5:30 pm. A total of 10 HOURS  for a trip that should take about 4 hours.   I was so happy to finally make it.  Thank you God for the safe trip!

Cowgirls and Cowboys

 

Madi and Parker are just loved the mountains.  They are both begging for dad to buy them both a horse.

Neither one of them had even spent much time around horses until about three weeks ago.  But to see them with the horses now is so different.  Chris even looks like he fits right in to the ranch lifestyle, well kind of.  You wouldn't know it to see him at work but he really did fit right in on the Lost Trail Ranch by the end of the week. 

Madi was just working so hard to show Chris that she could take care of a horse.  Walking, brushing, and helping to saddle the horses.  One evening she even put Dusty in hobbles all by herself.  She was so proud.  She left the poop scooping to Parker, Chris, and I though.  She said that it really should just stay where it is!  She said it doesn't hurt the ground, "It's just good fertilizer!". 

Maybe there is a chance for a horse in the future!  We'll see!

Azalea Festival

This week we decided to make a quick trip to the Azalea Festival in Muskogee.  Chris and I lived there for a short time when Chris first graduated from Pharmacy school.  This is where Madison was born.  It has been nine years since we were there.  The park was still as beautiful as I remember.

  

While we were there we wanted to take the kids and Nanny to see Ft. Gibson.  The historic site and dam were always a few of our favorite places to go when we lived in Muskogee. 

Oklahoma Science Museum

The last month has been a fun month for our family.  The kids were out of school two different Fridays.  Two weeks ago, we all went to OKC to the Oklahoma Science Museum.  I thought it was called the Omniplex.  I guess everything must be updated.  The new and improved society we live in doesn't overlook anything.  Even the museums must change to adapt. 

We had a wonderful time. I went a year ago and was afraid that it would all be the same, but just as the change of name, lots of things inside had changed.  There were lots of new things to see and tinker with.  The weather center has a new feature,  a tube that encloses and allows you to experience 78mph winds.  I think most of us feel that living in western OK, we experience this on a regular basis.  We also toured the Pirates and Treasures area.  It was really interesting to see all of the artifacts that had been recovered from shipwrecks.  I think the kids favorite part remains the same, the indoor tree house with the spiral slide.    I must confess, it's mine too!  It brings out the kid in all of us. 

 

Spring Break

Chris and I were lucky enough to go on a short little vacation with the kids over spring break. I'm thinking now that we may have be cursed! Someone must of put a voodoo spell on us. The first day on our way to Colorado we ran into snow. Amarillo and west was slow going. We all were so excited to see the big snow flakes. I would love to show a picture but I can't. I went to take a picture and my camera was broken. I don't know exactly what happened but no pics from the first two days of our little trip. Once we made it to Sante Fe, I was on a mission. Finding a camera. Of course there are so many to choose from but since I have started blogging, I have been watching one blog in paticular, Back Porch Musings http://backporchmusings.blogspot.com/. She takes beautiful pictures. She truly has a talent for photography. Check out some of her pitures if you get a chance. I had looked into the camera she uses. I found it to be costly but very effecient and easy to use. I decided to spend a little extra to get a really good digital camera. I am really happy with my new Canon. It shoots really quick and great for soccer photos. After we found a new camera we headed to Pagosa Springs. The first day of skiing the kids went to ski school. They both picked up on it pretty quick. Chris and I skiied that day with my sister, Cara, and her husband, Brynn. All of us had a really good day. Beautiful ski weather. Lots of snow.

As we were paking everything up, Chris was the one doing all the loading. He was carrying several bags at once and one slipped off of his shoulder. The one that fell on the driveway was the one that had my laptop in it. So that is why I have been so slow to blog lately. I was temporarily out of commision. I'm so happy it is back home now. Just a quick trip back to Dell and just like new. All in all, we had a wonderful spring break. Just a few minor mishaps. The most important part is that we had a wonderful time skiing.

Fun on Fall Break

This year for fall break we had a big camping trip planned. As my luck goes, we were rained out. Its funny how God works things out sometimes. Because of all the rain during the first part of the week it was going to be a muddy mess and we decided to head to the mountains. Wednesday we called and made reservations at a lodge in Red River, New Mexico and headed out as soon as school let out. The kids were so disappointed when they awoke Wednesday to rain drops and wind. It was so sad to see their little faces. When we picked them up at school they wanted to know what we were going to do since we couldn't go camping. All we told them was that we were going somewhere they had never been before. They were so excited then. They started playing the ever so frequent game of 21 questions. Who? What? When? Where? How far? They were so cute. I just love to surprise them. It nearly drove them crazy. Us too! Finally after much contemplation, they gave up and fell asleep only to wake in the mountains with snow on the ground. Red River had received the first snow of the 2008 season on Tuesday that week. It was 29 degrees that night when we finally got there. The kids couldn't believe it. The next day we went hiking in the mountains. We had so much fun. The trees were turning and the air was so crisp and clean. I just love the pine scent. I forgot how quiet and serene the mountains are.

Nature is something that I feel too many take for granted. God created some very spectacular sights. The last picture of our trip that I just couldn't resist adding to this blog is the one of the water running down the inside of the tree. Its in Cimmeron Canyon, which is between Cimmeron and Eagles Nest. I'm not sure how long this has been there but I know for sure that it has been there at least 30 years. It is a very special place for me. As a kid we went to Red River several summers. Many times I would see this log and hope to stop and see it up close. The first time I was able to stop I was with my nanny (Winona). She thought that this was one of the neatest things. I am so glad that I was able to share this with her and now I have had the chance to share this with my family.

Trip to the Wichita Mtn. Refuge

Saturday after soccer, Chris and I went to the Wichita Mtn. Refuge with Mike and Cindy. We signed up for a Bugleing Elk tour. But just as my luck would have it, no Elk within camera distance. It never fails, every time I go with Chris hunting the same thing happens. The wind picks up and we see nothing. We did see a few elk with binoculars but nothing up close. The wind was howling and it had the elk on high alert. The refuge, however, was beautiful. We had a wonderful time in the outdoors. The highlight of the trip for me was the trees in the photo. This group of trees was planted in perfect rows. No matter which way you look they line up. Growing up close to the refuge I've been by this tree group too many times to count but today I actually walked out in them. It was awe inspiring.

We did see buffalo. They were out and about, roaming all over the place. Such an odd looking animal. Not a care in the world. The bus didn't even bother them much. We actually had to stop and wait for them to move. The four of us really enjoyed our time there and plan on doing it again sometime. I am just hoping for less wind the next time around.