August marked four years of blogging on Xanga for me. For sometime I have wanted to make a hard copy of this blog, but I have been stumped on just how to go about it.

This weekend I updated my “Archive” file from Xanga which is available to Premium members & began saving each month onto Microsoft Word. Yesterday I completed 2006. Rereading the posts was fun and reminded me why blogging is worth the time and effort.  My goal is to save each month onto Word & also make a PDF file then print the past four years into a book form. I haven’t decided if I’ll print the pages myself or use Shutterfly or Blurp. The thought of a bond book is exciting though.

Saturday Tim took the little boys and went with Faith & Lexi to the Governor’s mansion for the Fall Harvest Festival. I missed all their fun because I was a the spa (I had lots of fun there but a torn soleus, calf muscles cramping-not mine- & an abnormal neck/shoulder probably won’t interest any of you) so Tim took pictures to share with me–which I now share with you all.

“Look a black car to match my black crocs.” This has become a game between the little boys and grandpa.

Josiah & Lexi refused to stay on the ponies, but Markus enjoyed his ride.

Siah off and running through the hay maze.

This was a big hit with both boys. They went through it many times.

Grandpa said that when he told Markus it was time to go he’d slip under the sign & head right back into the maze. I guess his interpretation was that it was time to go through the maze again.

All that running required a snack.

I wondered how much milk actually got into his mouth & I was told “not much.”

Big tractor…little boys…lots of fun!

I just had to post this picture again….I wonder if they were singing the song.

“I’ll take you for a ride on my big green tractor…”

Time for another snack.

Sweetness!

Hmmm….plan it out–

then attack!

Thanks Tim for the pictures, the stories & the laughter!

I did wonder about Faith & Lexi being there. He assured me they were and then showed me this picture to prove it. LOL

Sugarland concert at the OKC Zoo Amphitheater.
It was crazy fun!

Billy Currington opened…got to love “People Are Crazy.”

Bad pictures but a good time!

LOL…yup…bad pictures…
The crowd was almost as much fun as the concert.

This was a first for us. We’d never been to the zoo amphitheater before nor had we been to a country music concert. The night was warm and humid with the feel of rain possible at any moment. The amphitheater was packed, but our patch of grass was comfortable thanks to a plastic tablecloth under our quilt.

Time with family, good food, nice weather, time to rest and clean & just be home…it’s been a perfect Labor Day weekend.

We took Rob’s family to one of our favorite pizza places–
The Wedge Pizzeria at 4709 N Western Ave, Oklahoma City -405-602-3477.

The boys had fun playing with the balls and rocks while we waited for an outside patio table.
 
Ashley is so ready for Noah’s arrival. When I ask Josiah where baby Noah is he immediately points to Ashley’s tummy and says, “There he is.”

The pizza was great; the company was enjoyable; it was a very nice evening.

Monday Faith and Lexi popped over for a visit.

Later Mark joined them, and Lexi was so excited to say “hi” to her daddy and wave at him.

When Jon, Christina and Jade came over the little girls had fun playing together.

2409 N. Hudson, Oklahoma City 73103  405-525-7007

A quiet morning spent together enjoying the most important & my favorite meal of the day.

I had the CHEEVER’S FRENCH TOAST
Batter dipped flakey croissants, flat grilled to golden brown and dusted with powdered sugar.
Served with whipped cream and apricot-pecan syrup
Tim went with his favorite CONSTRUCTION OMELET
Egg omelet made with green chilies, smoked bacon, avocado, and cheddar cheese. Served with skillet potatoes.

We’ve been home just one week but it has been a full week:

A highlight was getting to see David, Katie & baby Bella at a family wedding on Saturday evening. Being apart from kids and grandkids sure makes getting back together a sweet event.

Then Sunday, August 30th was Tim’s birthday. What a blessing to have all of us together for the first time since January. It was the perfect birthday gift for Tim…a family BBQ with lots of little ones running around.

Cousins…I LOVE to watch our grandchildren interact with each other.

Thanks kids for a fun time together!

Random thoughts from last week:
Be assertive not aggressive.
Occupy & hold your personal space.
Attitude is everything.
Tai Ji is an inner art.
Experience changes perception.

The beginning of August Tim & I headed west. I was able to spend several days with my parents while Tim flew to NYC. It was a treat to be with them in Show Low, AZ.

Early one morning Dad took us to the White Mountains for a day of fishing. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of being in a boat on the water with my parents. It was only fitting for us to spend a day on the water again. We caught enough trout for our dinner that night and to give away to some of their friends in the neighborhood.

Once Tim flew back to AZ Jon, Christina & Jade arrived and we were able to spend several days with them in Scottsdale before they went to my parents and we went further west.

We enjoyed taking them to some of our favorite spots as well as discovering some new places with them. Being able to spend one on one time with Jade was a highlight.

From Scottsdale Tim & I journeyed to San Diego where I met my friend of 20+ years for a week of girl time. Rob flew into San Diego shortly after Laureen arrive to spend the week with Tim. After a traditional Fillip’s meal Tim & Rob said good-bye and Laureen & I began her birthday trip

We walked our legs off, ate ice cream everyday, went to the beach, swam in the ocean, laid on the beach, ate, shopped, became pros using the San Diego public transit, went to a movie, ate more, shopped more…It was a good time together made possible by our dhs. Thanks guys!

Tim & Rob had a rough start to their time together when a SUV crashed into the back of our faithful little Jetta.

The Jetta was totaled. Although the men were sore & are still struggling to feel 100% the car protected them from serious injury. It was sad to lose our trusty car, but it served us well for many years.

After San Diego Tim & I went back to Scottsdale via a rental car for a few day before going to my parents for a short visit on our way to Santa Fe, NM for the next leg of our trip were we met up with folks from Praxis.

We stayed at Inn of the Governors’ in the Plaza area. We spent time at Ten Thousand Waves spa, went to the Santa Fe Opera twice (La Traviatta & Don Giovanni), and went to Ojo Caliente’s spa. To spend time with my mentor & teachers here was a treat. I received my first watsu treatment (aquatic bodywork) in the same pool that my teacher received his first watsu treatment. What an experience!

We arrived back home on Saturday afternoon then went to a wedding where David, Katie and Bella were. It was GREAT to see them!

Recently Tim & I took the little boys to Bricktown on afternoon. It was a relaxed time of rambling.

Summer snow outside the ballpark interested the boys.

An event had just ended, so we were able to take a brief walkabout in the park.

Grandpa loves to spend time with all his grandkids. What a blessing to be able to enjoy this element of life with him.

It had been awhile since we’d been to Bricktown and walked along the River Walk. Much has changed there in the recent years.

The boys liked watching the boats full of people motor by.

The ducks were a big hit too.

Then it was time for a bit of a rest because they were hungry.

Grandpa came to the rescue–Sonic hotdogs with chili and cheese on the side.

The chili monster

He enjoyed his dinner and looks ready for a nap, but we had other plans for him.

They had never been to the dancing fountains in Bricktown. It was so fun to watch them with the water. In the beginning they were cautious, however, it didn’t take them long to get into the fun.

This video below just cracks me up…Josiah was precious.

Markus on the roof of our home-a 40′x50′ cement foundation that has been a struggle to figure out how to control heating & cooling.

Josiah enjoying his Popsicle on the roof/patio.
 
Through a random website picture & article we decided to try hay bales for insulation.

Early one recent Wednesday morning a truck with 350 hay bales arrived on the property, and the guys began lining up the bales.

Our huge roof/patio soon disappeared under all those bales.

Thanks Kole, Kurt, Jon & Adam for helping us out! In the past we couldn’t keep it comfortable downstairs in the summer heat even with the air conditioner running 24/7. Now, even in 100+ degree heat, downstairs stays cool and comfortable and the air conditioner hardly runs. It was a simple solution that just took us awhile to figure out.

These pictures are from when David and Bella were in town for a visit back in May. Somehow my plan of posting them a day after my previous post fell through. Still, I wanted to get them up.

It was so good to see the two of them, but we missed Katie!

I love the cousin pictures.

The girls hanging out together wondering how they are going to get their cups back.

The boys with all their kids.

The days and weeks seem to be flying by. It was a year ago that I began my massage therapy college adventure. It has become a passion that brings me much joy and fulfillment. The more I learn, the more I desire to learn. Anatomy fascinates me and being able to see how the muscles work continues to intrigue me. Yet my greatest joy is to have my children and grandchildren around Tim and me.

From four weeks of constant activity, motion and family to four days of stillness, slowness and solitude…both extremes are good.

The past four weeks: my parents were here for a visit, Tim watched the little boys for four days while R&A were on a get away, baby Jade was born, my parents were here again on their homeward swing, my sister and her family were in for a six day visit, David and Bella made a surprise trip home, Tim had business trips to WI and AR, and I had classes and clinical hours mixed in between it all. I think we had five “family dinners”

Highlights:

Josiah knows how to jump right into things.

Some quiet playtime before naptime.

A new family

Beautiful!

Outdoor fun

A circle of love

A Mother’s Day special

It had been years since I’d been with the kids on Mother’s Day.

We had a nice brunch at the house and celebrated all the Flatt mothers.

A mother’s love shining and reflecting…

They loved their little cardboard house.

Cousins…

Oops! Down camp the house around Lexi.

Isn’t interesting how babies draw all ages to themselves?

Not a happy camper at this moment.

The “men” working hard.

Pappy didn’t mind when mom and I went off for awhile. Who knew he was such a techy.

Mom LOVED this quilt, Simply Sensational, made with Kaffe Fasset fabrics.

Special times.

Simply amazing!

Four generations

She sure looks funny here.

Sweet time with Papa.

Papa is definitely enjoying the girls!