Happy Birthday, Clara

This is our birthday girl.  4 years old and hiding under the table at Chuck E. Cheese -- she is SCARED of him -- but wanted to go anyway.

Clara chose to eat her pizza under the table JUST TO BE SAFE!

Little Brother enjoyed her birthday cake . . .

Cousins got to party with Clara on the weekend!

Back to School

August means school starting up and kids having one last summer vacation before it is time to head back to the classroom.  Bethany and Mat worked in one last trip -- and headed to Telluride for a week of fun with their 3.

We wanted to work in a Back-to-school Sleepover on the last Friday before I headed back to the classroom.  Katie brought the kids over while Marshall was on call that weekend.

Goobers the Gorilla (aka PawPaw) showed up and scared Charlie to tears.

Of course, there was ice cream

And the slip n slide . . . 

and hot cocoa early morning

AND THEN ON MONDAY . . . 

Nana had to go back to the classroom -- for the LAST FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

 Bethany and Mat and the kids surprised me with flowers to mark this final year.

Back-to-School Projects

 I start every summer with plans to accomplish something major to update the house.  When our floors were updated in December I planned to paint the dark wood in the kitchen half-bath -- whenever I got a few days.  As summer was coming to a close -- I sprung into action to tackle the project.  I couldn't be prouder of the results.  I even undertook upholstering a footstool.!

Proud of My Man

Terry was selected as Outstanding Adjunct and given The Award of Excellence in Early August.  This was such an honor for his 19-20 years of teaching.  He works so very hard and teaches 3-6 classes at a time year-round for both Oklahoma Wesleyan and Tulsa Community College