Saturday Afternoon Movie

Nothing much exciting happening around here lately.

Yesterday afternoon Dave and I watched Sling Blade. If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it. Rather sad and disturbing at times, but GOOD!

Oklahoma Football Wrapup

The University of Tulsa's (TU) season ended on a high note on January 6th with a win over Ball State at the GMAC Bowl. With 11 wins this season they broke the school record for most wins in 109 years of TU football. Yay Golden Hurricane!

The University of Oklahoma (OU) Sooners weren't quite so happy with their finish, losing to the Florida Gators in the BCS Championship game on January 8th. The good news is that Sam Bradford, their quarterback, won the Heisman Trophy and plans to return next year instead of going to the NFL.

Oklahoma State (OSU) lost to Oregon during the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl on December 30th. :(

Overall it was an exciting season for Oklahoma college football.

Changing Weather

The Christmas decorations are all taken down, the kids are back to school and things have really quieted down around here. I've been enjoying getting things caught back up.

Yesterday was a beautiful day -- nice enough to vaccuum the pool and get a few outside chores done. The sky just after sunset was amazing! Click on the picture to get a look at a bigger view. It really was beautiful.


Today we are at 15 degrees and the house is SO cold. I always get a kick out of this fountain when the weather drops below freezing.

I know I will get no sympathy from those of you in frigid Wisconsin. Try to stay warm!

Happy Birthday Drew!

Last Sunday (1/4) Drew had a few friends over to celebrate his 20th birthday.

Earlier in the day Dave took him to see the Harlem Globetrotters. If you want to see a short video clip, check this out: http://www.vimeo.com/2770552

Happy New Year

We spent New Year's Eve playing games (Scrabble, Uno Attack & Scattegories), eating yummy bad food and enjoying each other's company.

Rocky and Pogo were Katie's dates for the evening.

The Newlyweds!

Goodbye 2008 -- Hello 2009!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

I bought Dave tickets to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra for Christmas. Kellie and Chris also bought tickets and came along. We went to a nice little pub/restaurant downtown Tulsa before the show. Unfortunately, they didn't plan for the big crowd and were a bit overwhelmed. Our order was lost and we had to leave before dinner arrived. :( The manager gave us a $50 gift card to come back and give them a try another night.

The show was at the new BOK Center downtown Tulsa on December 29th.

What a show! Not only was the music terrific, but the lights and lasers and special effects were incredible.

Last Shots of Christmas in Wisconsin

All the grandkids, less Jeff's kids and Heather. Click on the picture if you want to see any of the pictures better.

OK Kim, just for you -- front row: Emma and Derrick (Debi's kids); behind Emma, Sarah (Becki's daughter) and her boyfriend; behind Sarah on couch L-R: Chris, Kellie, Katie, Brandon (the son MaryBeth never had), Holly (MaryBeth's daughter); Justin, Rick (Becki's sons); on floor behind Sarah's boyfriend is Daemon (Holly's BF?). Any questions?

Goodbye cold and snowy Wisconsin -- it was fun! I think Chris enjoyed (survived) his first Christmas in Wisconsin.

We returned to Oklahoma Friday evening (12/26) and were welcomed by temperatures in the 70's, which made it much easier to unload the car.

To Uncle Rick's We Go

By the time we got to Rick's he was VERY happy. :) I can't remember the last time Jeff has been home for Christmas.

For years we have pictures of Holly (MaryBeth's #2), Rick (Becki's #1) and Katie together. My how they've grown.

My kids always seem to gravitate to Brandon -- or the other way around. He's lots of fun!

I'm almost done with our trip to Wisconsin so soon I'll be back on track with my updating.

Still Christmas

5 of the original 6 -- Barb's family came later in the afternoon. Relaxing after brunch while the kids cleaned up. Nice!

Brotherly love -- Nathan, Ryan and Eric.

Amanda and Emily with their daddy.

More of Christmas Day

Kellie and Chris with their little "flower girl" Lilly (my great-niece).

I snuck in on Katie and cousin Emily's annual photo shoot. There are about 10 more silly shots of just the two of them.

"The Twins" -- my sisters, Barb and Bev.

Christmas Day!

Kellie & Chris arrived at our hotel bright and early ready to head to Gramma & Grampa's house to celebrate Christmas with lots of family.

Dave cooked delicious omelets for everyone for brunch.

Katie relaxing with Gramma and the newest addition to the family, great-grandchild #5.

Christmas Eve at "Our Place"

Our annual Christmas eve tradition has been to have Dick, Pat and Rick to our hotel. This year Jeff, Michele and Brandon joined us.

I had a blast with the "kids" playing a rousing game of Phase 10.

Seating was limited, so Katie and Brandon had to share a chair.

Happy Birthday Uncle Sammy

After a quick shopping trip to pick up some groceries for Christmas eve dinner and Christmas day brunch, we headed back to my parents house to celebrate my uncle's birthday. Mom didn't have any birthday candles, so she improvised.

It's always nice to see Aunt Phyl and Uncle Sammy (my mom's brother).

Next Up, Christmas Eve Day

Christmas Eve was the busiest day of our visit. Our first stop was at the home of our very good friends, Ruth & Dan (Kellie's godfather). Every year we catch up at their kitchen table and indulge on chocolates and carmel corn. It's always a special visit.

Next was lunch at a little Mexican restaurant in New Berlin with our friend Lisa and her daughter, Rachel. An unfortunate sewer backup made Jed skip lunch. We missed seeing him but had a nice time with Lisa and Rachel. I was surprised to see no one sitting outside for lunch and enjoying the lovely Wisconsin weather. ;)