Our August

FAMILY - that pretty much sums up our August. We had all of our family visit. Inspired by a cake shaped like a horse's rear-end (see picture 7 below - Why you ask? Well if you knew our dad and his silly girls you would understand), Alethia and I thought it would be fun to organize a 50th Birthday Bash (okay it was a month early-the real deal is in September) for our Dad, Ray. It meant getting our family to travel from all over to gather in Oklahoma for a surprise party that no one will soon forget. We had a great visit. I suggest that our next meeting be somewhere exotic, preferably not in the Mid-West!

The birthday boy/dad/grandpa, his main squeeze, and their biggest, I mean, youngest baby, RJ. RJ and Ashley get the award for longest distance traveled. . .from Germany! Oh, can't forget Kelsie on Grandpa's lap. Mom and Dad traveled from Kentucky. Yes, Kentucky. Who said it best. . ."Doesn't anyone stay in one place anymore?"
8-17-07

The whole gang is here. . .except Sam-the-camera-man, and Curtis (school absentee).
8-17-07

Breann came from Arizona and squeezed in as much "auntie" time as possible.

8-17-07

Alethia and Joe, and their kids Darron & Alyse (who are mysteriously absent from this picture) are here with us in Oklahoma. Lucky us!
8-17-07

Crystal and Vance came from Iowa. They were able to stay a whole week and we loved every minute of it! Curtis had to stay back at PA school. Sure missed ya!
8-17-07

Holly and Hans came from Arizona by way of Texas. We were so glad they could make it, especially so we could meet the "Kelster".
8-17-07

Isaac shows of THE Birthday Cake! In case you can't read the fine print, it says, "Turning 50 is a real pain in the. . .Well you get the picture!" Dad loved it!
8-17-07

Isaac LOVED playing Legos with Uncle RJ. After all, they are RJ's Legos from his childhood! RJ and Ashley extended their visit from Germany and stayed with us an extra week.
8-19-07

Grandma and her newest girls, Olivia and Kelsie. This was the first time we got to see Kelsie (Holly & Hans' baby). She has the cutest cheeks. You can't keep from smiling when you look at her!
8-15-07

We visited the OKC Zoo with cousins - Darron & Alyse (left), Isaac & Emarie (center), cousin - Vance (right), and Olivia (far right). It was sooooo hot! We made it a short visit, but still had fun!
8-15-07

Olivia was such a good sport. . .despite the HOT weather.
8-15-07