Having a Ball: Friends

Showing posts with label Friends. Show all posts

Monday, June 20, 2011

Lake Time

Thanks Kittleman family for having us for the weekend! Pictures tell the story....

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Is there not something very sweet about your children's friendships with your own dearest friends' kids?

It's almost an extension of family: these are people your kids have no choice but to get to know... for better or worse. In this case, it's for the better - Eli, Brennon and Luke had a heydey in Stillwater one evening last week. Starla and Kerry are two college friends who have known me through the good, bad and ugly, and they love me anyway. Their boys are no less precious to me, and I love these kids because they are every bit as full of life as my own boy. Brennon and Eli give Luke the stamp of coolness, even though he is over three years younger than they are.
The boys hanging with Eskimo Joe himself.
and here is Buffy. (Ok, I have spent many an evening in Joe's but never have been graced by the presence of these furry two.)
We took them swimming - they were bursting with whoops and hollas!
Hilarous in their goggles.
We tried hard to keep them out of the baby pool, especially when the babies were there...
but they just couldn't resist the urge to run a wild streak.
Here they are at Starla's house, checking out Eli's music collection.

Wish they both lived closer, but glad they got a chance to be "boys" - if only for an evening.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

A Little Taste of Eskimo Joes

Made a quick road trip yesterday to Stillwater to one of the best eatin' joints around... met two of my oldest friends and brought some of our kids along with us.... My mouth started watering at the sight of the menu! The only thing I've ever ordered there? The Foul Thing with an extra pineapple and swiss cheese. So yummy! And I was NOT disappointed.And the cheese fries! Oh man, I want more! We met in honor of Chrissy (middle) and her recent 40th birthday! She is the last of our little group to hit the big one.... (missed you Kim Niebuhr!)We all have girls who are going into 7th grade! From oldest to youngest, Allie, Gabby and Kami! Do they look like their mommas?

Had to pick up some Joe's cups...

And took a walk afterwards to a cute shop down the block...

A totally DARLING store! We loved looking round.

Adore my friends and Stillwater, Oklahoma!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Got Encouragement?

When's the last time someone really took the time to be an encouragement to you?

Well, for me, that was a couple of days back when a friend who keeps up with my blog took the time to send me a really thoughtful message:

On another note – I just want to encourage you, my friend, to let up on the “wish I was funnier” script you’ve got playing in your head. You, dear Annie, are joyous, genuine, kind-hearted, deep-thinking, and a lover of life in all its shadows and nuances – you don’t need any kind of crack-up funny, sarcastic one-liners to make people smile and enjoy life! Let it go, Annie dear! You are “fearfully and wonderfully made” – just the way you are!

Isn't that nice? But not just sugar coated nice, but encouraging in a real life way... kind of a kind little kick in the booty that really ended up meaning a lot to me.

Take note, dear friend, that hereby and henceforth, I will officially refrain from self-condemnation of my (lack of) wittiness on this blog. That sentence is about as confusing as the health-care bill. What I am saying in layman's terms is that I will not talk about how unfunny I am anymore!!! :-)

So, just one more question to ask you:
When is the last time you were a true encouragement to someone in your life?

Just asking.

Monday, December 21, 2009

It's (Finally) Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

This is my first December as an official working mom with 3 kids. Albeit, I am working part time, but that along with teaching a class at TCC, having a very busy husband and trying to keep everything managed at home really put December on the back-burner. Ah, finally, with the end of the work week came a newfound joy that bubbled up in my heart.... oh yes... Christmas is coming! Here are some signs that Christmas is indeed around the proverbial corner.

*Baking compulsion... I cannot get out of the kitchen without whipping up some kind of holiday treat, usually including chocolate as an ingredient. Puppy chow is one of our Christmas favorites, and today we drizzled pretzels with white and dark chocolate, dusting them with tiny red and green ball sprinkles. Easy and delicious!

*I actually sat down and watched Elf with the kids. Classic lines:

Buddy: The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.
Buddy: We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.

I LOVE that movie. So does Ellie.

*We had our annual caroling day with friends... driving around town and singing to several different friends/family members. Here are the happy carolers:

Three girls who have been friends since birth...

We drove all the way across to granny's house and sang to her and Uncle Rex... she said it was the best Christmas present she could ever get.... and I think she meant it.

A tradition my kids have known is going to the Christmas celebration at my sister's country club... Here is Ellie trying to foil Brandini (yes, she picked up a cup in the middle of the trick; Brandini was NOT happy with her)

Luke and Nana (see the cute snowman on Luke's face....)

Hallie and Ellie with the famous upside-down Christmas tree.

and believe it or not, every Christmas I have a picture of one of my kids with a snake draped around his/her neck. Talk about heart-warming traditions. There is always a little petting zoo at the club and this year, Luke was the lucky one.

Now that we've taken our annual snake picture, it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Blessings both Big and Small

Blessing: I got a job!!

Yes, this may be one reason my blog has been so neglected lately; however, it is a great job for me. I am working in half-time position as Gifted/Talented Coordinator at Jenks East Intermediate - helping with enrichment for 6th grade students. I just so happen to be partnering with a very, very good friend who works with the 5th graders. I am still getting adjusted to working and managing everything, but the blog will NOT be put on the chopping blog nor will reading your blogs, though I haven't been able to read lately. Sorry! Blessing: Bunco Babes

My new friend Tiffani (pictured on the left), who should win the Nobel Peace Prize for uniting people, put together a Bunco Group. New to our city, she has pulled 16-20 of us together for this very fun activity! I have never been in a Bunco group before, and never really had time for much "me" time, so I am loving the time with my new Bunco friends! (Many of whom are also from my and Tiffani's church!)

Blessing: O Christmas Tree

Never in the history of my very fine marriage to Tom has he been around for the decorating of the tree. Ok, maybe he was around a couple of times, but slept through it on the couch. This year, however, not only was he around (a miracle in and of itself), but he went and picked out a tree, brought it home and helped us decorate it!!! We have always used an artificial tree, so can I tell you how awesome it is to come home to the fresh pine smell everyday? Tom so made my Christmas this year by picking out the perfect tree for our family. Thank you basketball for allowing him to be available! I love our tree with all my heart! The blessings keep flowing abundantly... more to come tomorrow!