Thursday Getaway

My parents made sure that on mine and David's wedding night, we got to stay in a suite at a Marriott in Oklahoma City.  I know this is going to sound cheesy but I was just so excited to start my life with David that I felt that was special enough.  Plus, I had never stayed in a suite before.  After that we were heading to Utah to get back in time to get David back to college before the new semester began.  I honestly can't even think about the last time I realized that David and I never got to go on a honeymoon.  But maybe to a husband, he thinks about the things he can provide for his wife?  Even now?  Well, he found out quickly that if he mentions that to his cousin, Zel, he just might make sure you get a little do-over.  And he did!  He and Desiree were at Disneyland with their children this year on their wedding anniversary so it worked out well that we could do this together.  David and I first checked in at the Blue Boar Inn (Midway, Utah) and took this beautiful picture just outside our balcony.

We got dressed in our swim suits and met Zel and Desiree at the Homestead Crater.   We went swimming in a geothermal spring located in a 55 foot tall crater with water that always stays between 90-96 degrees.  With it being mineral water, you can see through it clearly...until it gets dark with a depth of 65 feet.  I have a fear of being in water I cannot see through so I did not know if anxiety would get the best of me or not.  I also do not do well in hot tubs as I get dizzy from the heat.  But you know what?  I loved it!  I could easily see to my feet, the heat didn't bother me, and David kept me busy with conversation to distract me from thoughts of something being in the dark part of the water.  I did it!

After that we went back to the inn, got ready, and then met in the restaurant and had some of the best food I've had in a restaurant in probably ever!

We feel so blessed that we were able to do this.  And it came at a perfect time as I had just gotten back from being away from David for a week while I was in Oklahoma.

Family time in Oklahoma

Hannah and the kids were the first to come and visit Ruger and I while we were at Dad and Mom's house.  Hannah, Mom, and I talked for a couple of hours while we put together stuff for the future table decorations at the scrapbooking retreat.  Hannah and I Marco Polo each other from time to time but she was able to really go into detail, in person, what she has been up to while we were visiting.

Ruger got to play with his cousins.

For dinner, Uncle Chuck and Grandpa came over.  It was quiet, as I'm used to these dinners with the whole family but it was kinda nice to be able to just talk to Grandpa and Uncle Chuck.

But...the cutest part of the night was watching Ruger and Uncle Chuck together.  Ruger has a special bond with Chuck.  He is one of the first one's he goes to when Chuck is in the room.

Later that night we got to go out to April and Elton's house and see it for the first time.

The following day was when Mom, Amanda, April, and I went to the scrapbooking retreat.  Poppy and Ruger went with us to help us unload and on the way back, Poppy took Ruger to Fantastic Caverns in Missouri.  Can you pick out Ruger?

 

Poppy made many memories with Ruger making sure cousins were involved, garage sales, and taking him out to unique dinners like a place that served crawdads!  Which Ruger loved, by the way!  Not as much as he loves his Poppy, though.

I had to include this picture of Mom.  This picture doesn't do it justice but her eyes were super blue that day.

Poppy had to work one of the days that I was at the scrapbooking retreat so Stephen watched Ruger that night.  Ever since Ruger was a baby, Stephen has always really loved Ruger so I knew he would be safe with Stephen...plus, he got cousin time!

And one final picture of Ruger getting even more cousin time!

My best girlfriend

While in Oklahoma, I missed seeing most of my friends because of getting sick at the end of our stay but Laura came early and I'm so glad that she did because otherwise I wouldn't have gotten to see my bet girl friend.

We went out to lunch together, went driving around areas that brought back old memories, and visited her mother, Bobbie.  I always love every second of our time together.  We have so many similar views and like the same things.  When we don't we tease each other about it and get a good laugh.  I know I already wrote this but had she waited until later, I wouldn't have gotten to see her and that that would have been hard for me.  For years, she lived in California and I lived in other states while never seeing each other.  Back then it wasn't as easy to keep in contact as I wasn't good at calling and Laura wasn't good at writing leters, and honestly we were in the thick of raising our little children.  We weren't that good at keeping in touch.  But with technology today (Marco Polo, Facebook, and texts) we are pretty good at making sure we contact each other fairly regularly.  And with her living in Arkansas now, I get to see her everytime I come home to visit.  And you know, it's kinda fitting that Laura is the only friend I got to see while in Oklahoma this time.  I've always considered her my "family," so really I just spent time with family this time around!

Kiss Scrapbook Retreat 2022

When I told Valerie that I was coming out to Missouri for a scrapbooking "crop" she sent me this shirt to wear there.  "This is my crop top" hahahaha!

We always take a picture in this pose when we go all together to the crops.

This was our table decoration for the road trip theme.  We won 2nd place in the medium category.

There were over 500 women at the crop.

When Ruger and Poppy came to pick us up, Ruger hadn't seen me in about 4 days.  He didn't just hug me when he saw me, he actually got in my lap and hugged me!  He stayed there for quite a bit of time, which felt like 5 or more minutes to me because he usually shows that type of affection to Daddy.  Gosh, if felt so nice!

The retreat was in Lebabon, Missouri.  It was a couple hours away but so worth the 4 days that I got to spend with my mother and sisters. There was laughter, bonding, and even a few tears but all was wanted and needed.  I am so grateful Mom and Dad made this happen!

Flying to Oklahoma

A couple of months ago, my Mom called me and asked if I would like to fly out to Oklahoma, with Ruger, in October so that I could go to a scrapbooking retreat and so Ruger could spend alone time with family out here.  Of course I was wanted to!   So late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning of last week, Ruger and I flew into Tulsa where Dad and Mom picked us up.

Ruger was so cute on the plane.  The first time he was on a plane he was around 6 months old so it felt like this was the first time he rode on a plane.  He was barely nervous and talked my ear off almost the whole plane ride.  I felt a little bad for those around us because I think some of them were trying to sleep but every once in a while I would hear little chuckles around us and knew it was because of the things he was talking about.  

The best part was getting off the plane and going through the doors that separated us from Mom and Dad.  Ruger ran while jumping in Poppy's arms!

Just a picture of me and my love!

 

Wilkerson Farm 2022

Last year Ruger and I went with Maleena and Leo to the Wilkerson Farm for the first time.  Why not go again with some of our favorite people?

I love this picture...friends, mounatains, corn maze, American flag...just perfect!