TU/OU game

No need to review the score of the TU/OU game. But thought I'd share this photo I took with all of you...Our stadium (which to me, will always be Skelly Stadium...not Skelly Field at H. Chapman Stadium like it was renamed). Just kidding, I didn't really take the picture, but thought it was a good one. It was actually taken during the game.

Scapbook or Puke? What to do?

My big weekend away turned into a major bust. On Saturday, I either got food poisoning or a stomach bug and was pretty much unable to function the entire time. I'm still feeling the effects of it 4 days later.
Just hope to get better by Friday for the TU/OU game. We haven't played them in a couple years but all the streets around the school close off, and the campus becomes one HUGE block party/tailgate. I get the benefits of being married to one of the Board of Directors for the Letterman's Association so our tailgate spot is smack dab in front of the stadium. Go Cane!

I'm bugged...

Sarah recently mentioned this and I gotta tell you, this really bothers me too. I usually prefer to blog about my family, but this is still getting buzz.

Darin always writes about "world-ly" issues, so now it's my turn.

September 11th...the worst day, arguably, in our history (I was not alive during Pearl Harbor, so cannot speak to that). One would think most of the media coverage would be about remembering what happened 6 years ago, or the servicemen (and women) over there - which currently includes one of my brothers. Between my brothers this is the 5th deployment to Iraq for my family...NOT including my cousins or cousin in law (also currently in Fallujah).

But, far and away the "story du jour" is Britney Spear's performance at the VMA's.

I did not watch the VMA's, but you cannot turn on the TV without seeing the clips of the show. It's no secret the girl is going through some major issues. BUT everyone has been negatively commenting on her weight...and while she does not look like she did at 16 (do you?) She did have 2 babies within 1 year of each other and I think looks pretty darn good...this pic to left is from the actual performance in question (stolen directly from Sarah's blog).

Do I think she's a role model...no.

Do I think she's a good singer...no.

Is she making good choices...clearly not.

I've never been a fan, but give the girl a break.

Criticize her performance...she lip synced, forgot the words, clearly hadn't practiced her routine. But it's out of line to criticize her weight.

This is the reason so many girls have self-image issues.

And the reason as a mom of 2 girls, I have to say, enough already.

And while I'm on the topic...what is with Entertainment Tonight's nightly reports about baby "Dannilyn's" upcoming 1st birthday. No disrespect, but does anyone really care? Did they follow Lisa Marie like that after Elvis died? I don't think so - and Anna Nicole was a playmate...not an American Icon. Give it a rest.

Just to sneak it in...in better news, Riley received her AWANA vest last night (which she had to earn for learning her bible verses). She lost her 1st soccer game (of which they don't keep "official" scores at her age, but you know all the parents keep a tally in their heads). They got creamed (like 16 to 3)...I guess 5 year olds don't have a "10-run" (or 10-goal in this case) rule. Although another mom and I were joking about how the other team was "funded". They all had matching shorts and socks (coach included). (Riley is the pig-tailed one in the white shirt)Cade is now not eating the crust on his sandwiches (the little booger)...but he is progressing with the potty-training. He goes to the potty about 80% of the time. He still wears a diaper for naps and bed-time. Brooke is becoming a little screamer (happy, mad, doesnt' matter) and very independent.

And I am getting away for the first time by myself. My scrapbook store has their annual retreat this weekend in Gore, Oklahoma (I am 1/2 working, 1/2 playing)...I will work a couple of hours each day (to pay my room and board) and will scrapbook the rest of the time. Woo Hoo!

Rocky Mountain High...and still coming down.

We went to Colorado over Labor Day this year. Emily was getting married (on Cade's Birthday to be exact) so we decided we'd take the kids and make a family vacation out of it.

(picture to left was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Forest)

Emily got married in Estes Park...talk about a beautiful place. Colorado is pretty, but there's something truly special about Estes Park. Emily got married outdooors, in front of Lake Estes (which is in front of the mountains)...and it was the perfect day, with an incredible backdrop.

We had an unbelievable trip. First, we spent a day in Colorado Springs and hiked all over the Garden of the Gods.

Spent a day in Denver and toured the Museum of Nature and Science. I'd never seen a real dinosaur skeleton before (and they had MANY)--they also had a whale skeleton-which was pretty crazy, if you haven't seen one. We were also able to spend some time with Wade's uncle while we were there too. Missed seeing Mimi (who just happened to be coming to Tulsa that weekend)...what are the odds?

Spent the next couple of days in Estes. We just ran from one thing to the next, we didn't really ever stop. One of the highlights was "playing" with the Elk that came right up to us in town. (Seriously, came right up to us. Wade thought he might stick his head in the stroller and take a nibble on our sweet Brooke).

Another highlight (and my favorite) was taking the "gondola" up in the Rockies.

Wade and I had a mini-argument over this. It went something like this:

I'm driving and he says, "we should turn here"

(I continue to drive past where he tells me to turn).

"Wade, that is not where we turn...that turn is for the tram that takes you up the mountain."

"Jenny, that IS where we are GOING".

"Wade, you said we said we were going to ride in a gondola".

Wade replies, "that is the gondola".

"What??? I was thinking we were going to a river, lake, etc..."

to which Wade replies..."Jenny, we are NOT in Venice."

Now that is silly to me, but I guess the Coloradoans call ski-lifts and this type of thing - gondolas. I guess, when in Colorado....

Now at the top they had a ton of chipmunks that were used to being fed. They'd crawl right up in your hand and stuff their little cheeks with as many peanuts as you'd give them.

This may have been the kids favorite thing (other than the pools at the hotels, which if you ask...they'll tell you was their favorite).

We looked at a little real estate while we were there. I swear Wade still wants to make an offer on one that we saw. I think I could live there (at least until the weather turns cold...then I'll be praying for Tulsa's winter again). I'm not a big fan of snow...

Maybe we need to vacation to Maui or St. Lucia again...now there is a place I'd never leave.

But Estes Park (and our other adventures in Colorado) sure were fun!

But now, I need a vacation from my vacation.

Birthdays and Births...

So much has happened since I last posted, So I'll break it up into a couple of posts...

Brooke and Cade had their Birthday Party.

We had a ton of fun. I attempted to make my mom's famous spaghetti (and I did alright), it did taste good...but it did not taste like my moms. I followed the recipe exactly...but she must improvise, which I didn't do this thyme (ha, get it?)


All the kids get their very own chair on their 1st birthday and Brooke is no exception... (although it still needs monogrammed). The chairs are so cute, but darn it, if they don't take up a lot of room. Oh well, she loved it and that's all that matters.




We have also been blessed with a new nephew, who was born on Wade's parents anniversary (pretty good gift)...His name is Clark and I do not have a picture yet, so I'll put up one of the kids with their Papa, now they have to share him. (For those wondering, he is not Clark Clark as some have thought...Katie does have a different last name now...)


Cade is 3 now, and the full-out potty-training has begun. Our doc recommended instead of rewards (which we have been using, with little success), to have it be a "rite of passage". (Is that spelled right? Should it be rite or right? Anyway... she had a talk with him and explained, "Cade, now that you are three, you GET to use the big boy potty". That tactic may work with some, but mine are a bit stubborn -- they must get that from their dad ;)

So we are now trying what worked with Riley, which we call the "bye bye diaper" method. (Which is much harder on the mom by the way...that is why I'm attempting it last). He has some fancy "Cars" undies (of which he only wants to wear the Lightning ones). "They" say that kids don't like to be dirty/wet so they will use the potty. Not Cade. Every 30 min to an hour I'll ask and take him to the potty and several times he has had wet undies. He even pooped it up big-time on a playdate (I mean...diarrhea style, 1/2runny 1/2 chunky...) and didn't tell anyone. We heard little Jack blame it on his sister, "Hannah! Did you go poo poo in your diaper...it's Stinky!" (which Nicole and I both heard and fooling ourselves into thinking it was "contained" in a diaper...we didn't bother to check right away)...

Oh the joys of motherhood...