Thanksgiving/ Christmas in Oklahoma

This year it was our turn to celebrate Christmas in Oklahoma with Cary's sisters family and his baby sister too. Saying our girls were excited would be an understatement. It is always exciting when you have five cousins to spend three fun filled days with. 

Before leaving town Cary went to pick up Kaylee's Birthday surprise since today was her actual birthday. I think you can see from the smile on her face that she loved it!

 She was even sweet enough to share with her sister!

 After arriving in Oklahoma we went to dinner at an Italian Restaurant downtown. When you have 12 people (7 of which are children) at a table together it is never boring. We had so much fun laughing and celebrating Kaylee. Once dinner was over Kaylee. Catch, Cary, and Uncle Travis went to the Thunder game. The rest of us loaded up in the suburban and headed home to play and visit. When the game was over and our Thunder fans had returned Aunt Chiara and Aunt Landrea had a delicious cookie cake for Kaylee's birthday. Everyone made her feel so special today! I love celebrating this joyful girl.

On Thanksgiving day we spent time eating delicious food that we had fun cooking together and playing games. It was so nice to be able to just be still and enjoy all the children playing together. They all got along so well and just loved being together. 

On Thanksgiving night Landrea, Chiara, and I all bundled up, put on our comfortable shoes, and made our way to the sales. We had already made a plan earlier in the day when we scoured the ads for the best deals. I think being somewhere that had multiple stores of the same name was to our benefit for sure. There was not anything on our list that we were not able to find and stuff into our cart. These two always make Black Friday so much fun. We even stopped to refuel our bodies in-between all the running around.

On Friday evening after being asked multiple times we gave in and celebrated Christmas with all the children. It is so much fun to watch them open their presents. Each year I get educated on the latest trend for boys since we do not have one of those at our house. The past two years it has included a specific pair of socks. Who knew socks could be so exciting?

 After opening our gifts we went to see Frozen at the mall. If you still have not seen Frozen run, don't walk to go see it. It is probably one of my favorite Disney movies ever! 

 Much to everyone's disappointment Saturday came and it was time for us to head home but not before some basketball and hugs all around. 

A little opening present fun!

Thank you Uncle Travis, Aunt Chiara, Aunt Landrea, Catch, Colt, Chenna, Cane, and Crew for a wonderful time with you all. We left with full hearts and memories to last a lifetime.

Kaylee's 12th Birthday Party

Kaylee's 12th Birthday Party!

 This year we went to eat at Cypress Street and also went to see some of Kaylee's sweet friends perform in the Nutcracker at the Paramount for her birthday party. The girls enjoyed getting dressed up and eating somewhere more fancy. They loved the entertainment by the Piano Man playing while we ate dinner too. He even played "Happy Birthday" when they brought out a special dessert for Kaylee and the patrons sang to her.

The Nutcracker was amazing as usual and thanks to my precious friend Stacey we had perfect seats for the show.

 Kaylee with her cake she requested. It was a Dr. Who themed cake with the bow tie and it being in Rangers colors was just a bonus I think.

 Making a big birthday wish.

 The two Beard girls. Kaylee's good friend Katelyn shares the same last name as us. (I so wish we were related because I adore her and her precious mom. We really confuse the school secretaries when we both show up at school especially the time we wore almost the same clothes;-)

After coming home to cake and presents all the girls entertained themselves with a singing competition and finally fell asleep around 3:00am while watching Elf. Each of the girls who attended the party are so special to Kaylee and our family. I love watching the young ladies they are all growing up to be. Thank you Lord for the gift of friendship and that this group of ladies are confident in themselves and followers of you.

Monument Tour

On our last night in DC we went on a tour of the monuments. They look so beautiful at night! Cary and I got to take this tour the last time we were in DC and it was one of our favorite things so we wanted to make sure the girls got to go too.

 The Capital 

 FDR Memorial Monument

Eleanor Roosevelt

 The Supreme Court

 Martin Luther King Memorial

 This one is by far my favorite...the Lincoln Memorial

 I think Campbell is getting tired of pictures today.

 The view of the Washington Monument from the Lincoln Memorial. I love taking in this view from the steps.

 The Korean War Memorial

The soldiers look so lifelike...it is really breathtaking.

The last on here is the Vietnam Memorial where these soldiers are facing the wall of names of those lost in the Vietnam War. They even have books with all the names of those lost so you can find their exact location on the wall. What thought and planning went into these monuments and memorials. Each one unique and amazing in their own right. What a perfect way to end our trip.

DC Cupcakes

A trip to DC would not be complete for Kaylee without going to Georgetown Cupcakes or DC Cupcakes as it is known on TLC. Most of you know Kaylee would love to own her own bakery one day so she absolutely loves to check the ones she has heard about off her list.

 Can you tell she is a little excited?

 This is a picture of the line that we waited in. The locals just kept driving by and smiling at our stupidity I think. The line actually moved pretty quickly but for those of you thinking of going there here is a tip: Order them on line then just go to the store to pick them up...no waiting in line. They usher you right in the door. You are welcome.

Here are the dozen we walked out the door with. Yummy flavors like Pumpkin Spice, Carmel Apple, Salted Carmel, Birthday Cake, Mint Chocolate, Red Velvet,...and the list goes on. I have to say that in the end they were worth the wait. Delicious.

I had to add this picture because I thought Campbell's face was hilarious.

Arlington Cemetery

On Saturday morning we got up and headed to Arlington Cemetery. This is one of my favorite places to visit because of the respect and reverence within these gates. 

 It is amazing to see those who fought for our freedom laid to rest in a place of honor as they should be.

 The eternal flame at the grave of President Kennedy, along with his wife and infant son.

 The changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldiers.

 A ceremony to change the wreath at the tomb of the unknown. The family who requested that the wreath be placed there was able to participate in the ceremony. Even though I did not know them it still brought tears to my eyes because of the service their loved one gave for our country as well as the reverence shown to their family.

 I love this view.

 Cary and the girls inside the museum.

I love that we are getting to show our girls first hand the sacrifice that is made for them to live in a land that is free each day. 

Washington, DC: The Capital

On our second full day in DC we started at the Capital. The Congressman for our district, Randy Neugebauer, arranged for us to have a private tour and even get passes to the gallery since it was a rare occasion and they were actually in session thanks to the disaster that is Obamacare.

Here are Kaylee and Campbell outside of Randy Neugebauer's office.

A little photo in front of Lady Freedom.

 The painting on the ceiling of the rotunda of the Capital. Gorgeous!

It was so much fun to learn more about our history in this building. I think my favorite part was being in the gallery when the congressmen and congresswomen were voting to pass an amendment to Obamacare to allow citizens to keep their current insurance another year. The way they were going to bat for the people in their district was so encouraging and interesting to watch. The amendment passed in the House so it will be interesting to see what happens in the Senate and then again when the President gets his hands on it. Our government at work people. It definitely made me appreciate the system of government we have in place even if it does seem flawed at times.

 After all that learning we had to take a yogurt break to gain a little energy before touring the Spy Museum.

 I think Campbell was enjoying her yogurt.

A little glimpse of the Capital...what a gorgeous piece of history.