July 4th week: Be careful with the fireworks!

I have always been very wary of fireworks.... maybe it came from having a nurse for a mother. She always had a couple of horror stories about firework mishaps. But this year, I decided to jump on the band wagon and try to enjoy it. And it was fun! I actually think I had more fun watching and take cool pictures than I did playing with the fireworks, but that is cool with me. Madelyn had a great time playing with a few sparklers and then she and Grandmomma went in search of lightening bugs while the rest of continued to play. She so enjoyed that special search time with Grandmomma and they came back with a couple in a bottle!

Ben writing "Melissa" with his sparkler.

Ben trying to write "Ben + Mel" in a heart. I can see it, can you?

It is too bad this turned out so fuzzy, I think it still a cute picture.

One last "Hurray"

And the clean-up.... notice Buddy is doing all the work!

July 4th week: Grandad Rex

While we were gone to the park, Momma Susan's last surprise arrived. Her dad, Grandad Rex, came in from Arkansas to spend the weekend with us!! We weren't sure if he was going to be able to join us until the last minute and we were so glad he did!

Adults are zonked and kids are watching VeggieTales.

Great-Grandad Rex leaves to go backhome but gets one last "lovin'" in with Madelyn.

July 4th week: Impromptu Photo Session

We had some beautiful days, although hot by MN standards, while we were in Oklahoma. On July 4th, the guys, the kids, and me decided to go to a nearby park to walk. It was a good idea because it was wonderful place to get some great pictures! Even my camera-shy daughter took part!

Oh and this was just the funniest duck I've ever seen! I couldn't help but name James Brown.

July 4th week: To Grandmomma's house we go

It was wonderful to spend the next few days at "Grandmomma's house". She loved having us too! It had been since Christmas 2005 since we had been there. Since then, we had seen them in Arkansas or Louisiana, but not at their own house. The visit was really great! Everyone gets along so well that it really is nice to all get together. The kids especially loved spending special time with Grandmomma and Grandad (as well as everyone else).

Here are some rice krispies getting ready to be made into treats.

"reading" with Grandad

Our intrumentalist finding all the instruments in the house and begging for help playing them (next picture too)


Madelyn figures out that she likes "dressing up" barbies too!

While Ben and I were away for a WHOLE night (hotel and everything!), the kids stayed with grandmomma and grandad. One of the things they did was put a face on this tree. they were so excited about it!

July 4th week: Surprise!!

SURPRISE!!! Momma Susan was so surprised (as you can see below)!! It is a funny story about how this all came about so I will try to keep it short. Ben and his dad and sisters had been planning this surprise at least since Christmas. After some thought, they decided that one sister had to be the one "visiting Mom" for her birthday. This was so Momma Susan would not be so thrown off that she wouldn't enjoy herself. So, Christina called and told her that she was coming for her birthday. We had all decided that we had to make sure to send birthday cards that she would get on her birthday and call to sing happy birthday to her (since the party was the day after her birthday) and try to make it feel like there was nothing wierd going on. This worked out great until.... Momma called Stephanie (many times!) and tried to get her to come for her birthday too! Stephanie felt awful about it but ended up lying so not to ruin the surprise ("the doctor said I can't travel..."). But, Momma called us at home and since we left our house several days early to get to Oklahoma, we had forgotten to be checking our machine at home. She didn't hear back from us and mentioned it Stephanie one night. Ooops! Then she emailed Ben at work and got an out-of-the-office message. She started to get suspious! At least, she did until she talked to me and I lied to her too and told her that Ben was taking a couple of days off to spend with me and the kids before an international worktrip and that he was at a church meeting. (he was actually at Best Buy looking at HD TVs with Mike...) Oh, and our home phone is on the fritz.... And that is the short version of how we were able pull this surprise off! It was hard work but worth it to see this face!!

And it was SOOOOO sweet the way Madelyn ran up to her and gave her this huge bear hug squealing the whole way.... I'm glad that we got it on videotape because it is one of those moments I don't ever wan tot forget.

The dinner was good and company was great! It hadn't been that long since we had seen Ben's family (just since the first weekend in June) so we were able to just pick up where we left off. that is always a great feeling to not have to feel everyone out after a long time apart.

Greyson was a bit fussy. Afterall, this was the fourth day into our trip, three of which we had spent time on the road. The funny part of it was that he was like a light switch, fussy one minute and....
extremely happy the next minute!!

After eating, we let Momma open her presents and she let Madelyn help her. We all pitched in and gave her new silverware with matching service ware. It is completely Momma's style. All the pieces have different depictions of asian birds on them. You know how sometimes you can see something is beautiful but know that you couldn't pull it off. Well, the silverware is beautiful and I couldn't pull it off, but Momma can!!

Happy 50th, Momma!

July 4th week: OKC

So, next stop, Oklahoma City. Ben's sister and bro-in-law, Stephanie and Mike, live there. We decided to spend a couple of nights with them before heading to Momma Susan's surprise party. It would be my first time in OKC and our first time being in their house. It was very nice to be there and to see them in their own environment. They have a dog named Sneaker that is so precious (and a little mischievous). Greyson loved hanging out on his dog bed.

However, we found out that Greyson was slightly allergic to him because when he came in the house the same time as us, Greyson eyes swelled up pretty good and he was rubbing his eyes and nose. After the dog was gone, it went down pretty quickly. note to self: the dander in the house didn't bother him but Sneaker himself did... interesting.

While we were there, we went to the SuperCroc exhibit at the Natural History Museum. How amazing! Can you believe the size of this croc's head? I don't remember the exact measurement but it was like 10 feet long!! and its body would have been about 3 times that long! kinda scary if you ask me. Am I remembering correctly that these have living descendents too? I don't think there are any in MN tho. Whew!

This elephant came running through and almost crushed me! After a night in the hopsital, it is incredible I didn't sustain serious injuries.... okay, this was a huge elephant statue that we were having fun with.
And I liked this quote.


Did I forget to mention that Stephanie was pregnant? I say was, because since then she has given birth. A later post will talk more about that! The trip, in part, was to help get everything in order for the coming baby. But, alas, we had so much fun just hanging out that we didn't do much baby-prepping. Here's a cute picture of Madelyn listening for the baby. He was awake and kicking!