something borrowed, something delta blues...

If you're catching this on Thursday evening or Friday morning... we're somewhere along that blue line...Back in our dating days when we'd go back to our hometowns to visit (separately) , Aaron & I always thought it so amusing that even though we were distanced by 600 miles, only two turns [our exits] separated us. Interstate-40 all the way.

We're headed back to the great state of Tennessee for my brother's wedding this weekend. They're getting married at the zoo! How fun is that? I haven't seen the place, but they tell me it's really pretty and definitely unique! It should be an interesting & entertaining weekend. We're really looking forward to seeing all the family and, of course, holding little Emma every chance we get. Aaron & I are even hitting up Graceland with some of the family before we head back on Sunday.

A fun little anecdote for you... Mom, you'll love this. I was telling someone the other day about our weekend plans and was reminded of the last time I went to Graceland. Yeah, I bet Trae remembers too. So, my brother and I were part of a Cotillion group in junior high and some of high school. Well, we would have these themed parties once a month where we'd get to showcase all our swanky ballroom dancing steps and fancy manners that we'd learned at our classes [20's flapper party, an all-out 70's Studio 54, Wild west Hoe Down...] . Don't laugh, I really did enjoy it for the most part. And I can sit like a lady, know what the special spoons are for, and Trae & I can cut a mean 'beach shag'... among other southern 'accomplishments'. Anyway... So, one of our parties was a 50's Sock-Hop. Oh, we were decked out in full costume. A few weekends later, one of our 'cultural outings' was to go to Graceland with our Cotillion. There was a whole day of Elvis-inspired events, even eating at an old soda-shop, famed for serving Elvis's favorites. Our director thought It'd be so fun to send us all "in costume of the era" and wear our clothes from the party. Apparently, not everyone liked that idea... and the director sent word back to my Mom. But, did my mom pass that message along to Trae & I ? No, siree. She thought it would be "so cute" if we went ahead and dressed up anyway. We, obviously, didn't get the option to make that judgement call. So, we show up at 6 am ready to load the cars with a bunch of other 11 through 14 year olds... decked to the nines in a poodle skirt, ponytail, striped cat-eye glasses ...and Trae in a T-birds jacket, rolled jeans, and a GLUED ON elvis wig. We turn with astonishment to look at our mom when we see everyone dressed in normal clothes. We realize then that she 'knew all along', and she's assuring us that this'll be 'so fun'. The giggles and the whispers began, and I think Trae & I just stood there like a deer in headlights... teenage-angst rising within. Mom, there's probably a really mean diary entry written somewhere. Looking back, it's quite hilarious... luckily most of these other kiddos had learned 'proper manners' and didn't give us too much of a hard time after all. and we had people coming up to us all day long wanting to take pictures with us as if we were part of the 'show'. A little celebrity treatment will help any attitude...and create a quite vivid memory of a trip to the King's house. I'm going to have to find a picture of that somewhere.

ok, now really, I must hit the road... Have a great weekend, and congratulations to the soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. Trae Dedmon!

Blogger-to-Reader

so, there are people who are into blogs... and these people, I've learned, have a nifty little secret about this new little technological community. I'm starting to really enjoy it, and I enjoy finding blogs about things I enjoy or want to learn more about... design, cooking, photography... anything that involves exploring the less-used side of my type-A brain. There's truly something for everyone out there. Fixing cars? yep. Political Activism? yep. Christianity? you bet. Pregnancy? heck yes, in detail, I might add. Delightfulblogs is a cute little starting point for perusing this craft, by interest. mainly, for women though. I like it that saying the word 'blog' no longer is whispered in the same hushed tones as if we were talking about [whispers] 'sex'.
Let's face it, blogs are definitely becoming part of our 'culture'. Take it or leave it, to each his own. But, I think I'll take.

Well, the new (to me) trick up the veteran bloggers sleeve is Google Reader. Instead of clicking once a day on news, blogs, friends' sites, and ones that you stalk regularly... you can easily type in [add subscriptions to] your favorite sites that have 'feeds'. pretty much any blog. They'll all be there on your Google Reader or your igoogle page, and it will let you know when there's a new post from any of your authors. Really keeps the incessant clicking and checking to a minimum. Think off all that time you have back in your life?

yes, I know we could argue the irony of that one all day long... But, for now, Enjoy. I'm off to make some garlic-mustard glazed chicken skewers for my soon-to-be-home workin' man. Is it so-very backwards that I want one of these ? I think the modern woman can do what she wants... I can work at the hospital all day, and pretend I'm in a 60's sitcom all night.

a little culture and a little cake.

Aaron's way of facing an unstoppable Monday is by asking me to remind him about our weekend. Near the end of a Sunday evening, something about hearing a great weekend synopsis allows him the satisfaction of a weekend well done...and he's okay with moving on to the work week. When I say synopsis, I do mean 'complete'. He'll let me know if I miss a tiny detail. This weekend, the recap was very well received... he usually has a smile on his face when I get to the end, almost like he's proud of ourselves or something. So, no, I don't think you really want me to do the same. But, I thought a few highlights of our bustling Sunday could earn it's way on the page...

Aaron's former youth-pastor and Corey's dad, Dave, has started a new church - now, I don't know the group's philosophy or anything. But, what I gather, is that the vision involves a step back from the seemingly corporate 'institution' of the larger churches with a focus on community, purpose, and personal relationships. Now, I was just there once [please feel free to enlighten me], and it was a very non-traditional, unique Sunday morning. We met at the Oklahoma Museum of Art, for starters. The current traveling exhibit is artifacts from Roman history from the collection in the Louvre in Paris. For the message that morning, Corey did a great presentation on early Christian art, and for the exhibit - introduced what was happening with Christianity during the same time that these pieces on display were being created.

We stuck around after visiting the main attraction... we explored the rest of the museum & grabbed some 'brazilian food' with Aaron's friend, James. ...I really use 'quotations' a lot don't I? Sometimes, not correctly either. makes it seem like 'brazilian food' is code for something... I will not get better, either. get used to it.

Well, certainly I 'want' to 'extend' my 'birthday wishes' to baby mama herself, Kara Fuller! They had a whole host of family & friends out to celebrate the big day out at Hafer Park. We grilled out...well, we ate...played games and just hung out.

I don't have a pictures of the whole cake, but a friend of theirs made an adorable cake with 'pool scene', Kara's holding up herself with a little baby bump laying out on a pool float.

out of the bitter barn, playing in the hay.

I've held off with this post. Most of you will already have known what I'm about to say, in general. But, I felt it deserved its moment in the blogosphere. I've actually started writing this several times, and kept erasing it...because I think my attitude kept improving. Kind of growing out of the confused, disgruntled wannabe employee. I've kept our blog public so far, so who's to say who really reads this? I really have no idea. [but, if you'd like to let me know, there's a comments button at the end. hint hint.] I don't know if anyone from work has ever landed on this site, but I figure I'd better type diplomatically. and, that's where I'm at. or, where I've recently arrived...after the month or so of being bounced about.

As you know, I graduated with my master's in May. I expressed interest in continuing on as a genetic counselor with the Children's Hospital, where I trained as a student and completed my clinical rotations. They were hiring another full-time genetic counselor...which was a major answered prayer, because relocation is not exactly an option. Aaron's still in school here for several more years, and they are the only clinic to staff pediatric GC's in Oklahoma [the area I really want to work in]. So, after several encouraging words, winks & smiles, several of the staff & former students strongly suggested that I definitely take a month off before coming back to start my real adult-job. To really enjoy it, relax, and decompress from the 2 crazy years before jumping right in, so I'd be 'fresh' and ready to do a good job. I would have to 'formally' interview, but they let my classmate and I know that there were 'no concerns', and they were no longer advertising the position or interviewing anyone else. Sounds like a great gig, no?

Well, on two occasions in early June we tried to coordinate schedules and get an interview set up. It's a whole day event, coordinating with about 8 other people, so you can understand the difficulty. At least, I assumed, that was our only hurdle. As it turns out, the department was having difficulty finding the funding to pay my salary (!!). This was pretty crushing when we found out. Because of the 'bureaucracy' of a university hospital, HR wouldn't even touch me to set up my application/new hire/interview until the funding had been approved through some crazy hierarchy of people with their picture on the hospital wall. So, we wait. The hardest thing was seeing July 1st come and go, when I had planned on coming back to work. I was so confused... I had enjoyed my allotted time off, but I was ready, and needed, to start. I became strangely exhausted, not an expected description of the unemployed. It was as if well, if i'm not 'contributing', then I have to be doing something. All day, anything. Just wouldn't let myself just sit.

When people describe themselves as 'stressed', I always just had equated that with being busy. I mean, that's what I meant, when I said I was stressed. Now, I had all the time in the world. I'd never experienced this type of stress...that of the unfamiliar, unable to plan, uncertain. Or, at least, If I had... I must have also been pressured with school and just blamed it on the books without a second thought.

So, what could I really do but wait on the funding to be approved? ...for two weeks? until December? until another genetic counselor leaves? Yes, sure, I have my masters. I'm sure it could be leveraged into another position, for decent pay, somewhere else. But, that's not what I busted my butt for the last two years. I wanted to do this. I needed to do this... there's not another position for a GC in the whole state?! board exams are next year, how would I pass without experience ? & how would I ever be hired somewhere else without experience ?

[freak out.]

In between, there were lots of ambiguous back-and-forth calls & e-mails. I had the persistence of a 4 year old - are we there yet?!

I think I was pretty embarrassed too. I had worked so hard, was now a graduate of 'higher education'. and, I didn't have a job? ...what happened to my 'master plan'? Anytime you use the word 'master plan', you should just know that you're in for it. Obviously, God had a lesson to teach me in control. The more people I shared this with....the more I learned about so many others who'd come away from school (undergrad, MS, PhD...) and been in the same boat. No one really talks about the 'space between' and the uncertainty of unemployment. It's a lot less humiliating not too. But, thanks, to those of you for opening up on the truth and hardship that sometimes comes before finding that 'dream job'. It's been a tremendous comfort.

Without being totally helpless, I applied for temp jobs [which I got] and even began looking for other ways to use this expensive education. I looked into private OB/GYN offices, only 2 prenatal clinics in OKC currently have a genetic counselor on staff. While everyone was so polite and encouraging, they just weren't expanding at the time. Darn economy! I submitted resumes at other biotech/pharm companies and universities.

...and when it rains it pours...Just this week, I was contacted about being an adjunct professor of biology at the University of Central Oklahoma. Genzyme [awesome company to work for] called about a position, but the one they wanted to offer me was in Dallas or Florida. [sorry ma'am, my husband's rat pups are here in oklahoma]. I was also contacted about working for Myriad Genetics Laboratories as a women's health account executive. Nifty title, huh? They're looking for someone with a genetic background, but it's not necessarily working with patients. The job is more like marketing/sales of genetic testing to physicians working with those at-risk for hereditary cancers. While all great prospects, I'd still like to do the job I'd set out to do...

So, long story longer, although a month later than anticipated, the funding for my position has now been approved. They're now ready to move forward, & I 'formally' interviewed today. I started at 8, ended at 5, interviewing with 8 different people in Genetics. It went incredibly well. As always, you all assured me that it would. In fact, I spent the whole day before preparing... and I was hardly asked any questions at all. None of that 'why should we hire you'...'weaknesses that are really strengths' trickery.. The focus was other people offering their advice, catching me up on the section, and discussing my position there in the department. Everyone was so complementary of me, too. Instead of having to 'sell myself' with fancy adjectives like most interviews, I had 2 years with these people...and they know who I am and, clearly, were just as excited as I am about me coming onboard in Genetics. My head should have been the size of a watermelon by the time I left. One of the doctors came in to interview me and just laughed and said, "this is so funny, why are we doing this? we all know you're hired."

I look back and think, hmm, I had an extra month. of free time. must've been bloody terrible for you...my, you sure do have a good tan. why was I being so ridiculous? It's definitely easier in hindsight. All I could think about at the time, of course, was how we'd budgeted as far as July and were counting on a salary. That's a big one. But, you know, we're fine. We're not crazy irresponsible. So, getting into a house is put on hold, say, a couple months later than we thought? We're not filing bankruptcy or even defaulting on student loans. Not even close. If anything, I've been amazingly blessed to have spent two weeks with wonderful visitors - Hannah, Jonathan, & Logan. I've been able to spend quality time with friends & family. I've been able to catch up on, well, life. To sit back and try not to get lost in the plans, but just enjoy the everyday. Truly rest. Find new, and rekindle old interests, I'd almost forgotten what to write when something asks you to list 'hobbies'. And best of all, Aaron's happy. When he comes home in the evenings, I'm done. with our errands, grocery shopping, cleaning...and well, sometimes, there's food in the oven. The night is ours, together. No to-do lists. Just playtime. tennis matches. bike rides. wii tournaments. bible study. movies. He said it's been one of his best summers ever...almost like he got to come home to 'summer camp' every night. well, my dear, the silver lining shines.

"I love living. I have problems with my life, but living is the best thing they've come up with so far. " - neil simon

...to one year!

and now making his debut in 2008... it's the top-tier himself. my gratitude to the french confection for the preparations and to my grandmother for storing this in her deep freezer for a year. Grandma, I have to admit, I wouldn't have been at all surprised if there had been a little chunk missing. It would have been quite tempting with a growling tummy during a 2 a.m. fridge raid.

After pulling it out of its 'storage', I half expected it to have a hint of the frozen corn, peas, and jams it was sharing a space with. But to my surprise, it preserved oh-so-well.

It is a little weird to bite into something and think... Hmm, this is a YEAR old. Who thought of this splendid tradition? seems like a little 19th century Fear Factor to me.

trying to fake me out.

oh yeah, he likes it.

so, this is what he did for the next 10 days to finish the whole tier off. that last layer serves a LOT of guests, or Aarons.

retail therapy.

Can you lust after a handbag?
warning: superficial display of affection.

What's funny... if I could have predicted such unrestrained infatuation... I would have assumed these feelings would have been for something much nicer, like maybe a rust colored vintage-style Hobo. But, no, crazy peacock feathers have me under their spell. I think I like the little colorful 'whimsy' that I can add to my seemingly 'professional' [ahem...drab...by comparison anyway] clinic wardrobe that I seem to be compiling. [product detail] ...oh, how I miss this store. their whole website will have you drooling. over drawer pulls and doorknobs. Although there are much larger problems in the world, and even my world, all I can wonder is why the nearest Anthropologie is back in Texas? At least you guys have one in Tennesee now. You know, so you can shop for me. ;)

priced to move.

Did you know that bras are a hot item at a yard sale? yeah, me either.
And, T-shirts too, no matter their condition. I think I sold every single one. [I ended up taking a few off the table, and decided I'd like to make, or have made, one of these t-shirt quilts for my collection of 'sentimental' shirts from college that I don't wear anymore. what a neat idea, right?]
Many lessons learned. We've started a tradition, it seems, with Aaron's family...a mid-summer yard sale in his hometown to pull out some extra cash for...oh, i don't know, a trip, a student loan, or simply gas $ for a wedding coming up in two weeks (yay!). There were several families that pooled their 'treasures' together, and we had it right 'in town'.

we had a pretty big set-up. yes, they are a lot of work. but really, they're pretty fun too. especially in a small town.

rockin' the casbah.

it was nearly 100 degrees that day, & these two little cuties got in on the sales, whipping up some ice cold lemonade.

Sophie and Keilee cranking the homemade ice cream.

At last year's sale we raked in nearly 400$ as we sold off our 'duplicates', merging two stocked apartments into one little love nest. This year, Aaron & I didn't have as many 'big ticket items', but little by little we ended up with $180. It pays not to packrat. I even scrounged through some of our stuff we don't use, & I ebay-ed a few items this week & made an extra 300$! see, I'm trying to earn my keep in some way. every little bit definitely counts. I feel like I should freeze-frame and explain my latest Zack Morris make-money-fast scheme. Next week, tune in as I start an all girl dance group and Aaron heads to the local cable-access station to sell his homemade spaghetti sauce. Oh yeah, does anyone want to buy a class ring?

where the waving wheat can sure smell sweet.

well I do declare, [in my most southern accent] that I never intended to leave you for this long, my dear. but I must say - mon petit frère, Logan, came in to town for a week, and we were just having too much fun.

Boy, can we pack some adventure into one week? I think so. It's funny how someone coming to visit will get you out of your normal routine [i.e. off your lazy bum] and allow you to explore your little city. Allow me to summarize our week o' fun with our featured guest...Foo Fighters concert. Frontier City amusement park. The Dark Knight. Guthrie's wakeboarding park. Redhawks baseball game. Swimming at the pool. Take-your-brother-in-law-to-the-lab day. Bible Study @ corey + kara's. Shopping. Museum of Natural History. Rock climbing. Test driving cars. OKC Zoo. not to mention lots of games and great cuisine. I'm exhausted, and I have calloused hands from the climbing. I think Logan drove home happy today...but sore and worn out just the same.

I've complained many times about the situation with my job at the Children's Hospital [long update to come on that one...], but I really enjoyed being able to 'unexpectedly' spend time with all our guests this summer.

[this is the part where I bow, twirl my hand in front of me, and step graciously to the side...]

Foo Fighters take the stage at the Ford Center.

Originally, their tour brought them to OKC back in January - and for disgusting details that they didn't hesitate to share with us, they had to reschedule. Because of juggling the dates around, they offered up an incredibly long (and awesome) show in efforts to reconcile with the fans.

they, of course, delivered.

Hitting up the roller coasters at Frontier City with Melody & Brian.

They even opened up a new ride 'The Steel Lasso' - which we believe we were on some of the inaugural runs. The 'user manual' was even still out on the control board.

Very classic-oklahoma. Saturday the boys hit up the wakeboarding park in Guthrie. Pretty neat design, I'd never heard of this. It's basically wakeboarding, but without the boat. It's a manmade lake with lots of ramps and jumps, & a cable system to pull you around.

Logan made it all the way around, but Aaron hadn't ever tried it before and had a little trouble getting started. They still had a blast, but their bodies paid dearly. I decided to just be the photographer for the day, I'm not exactly a water-athlete.

a short drive down historic route 66 - a stop at Pop's and the Round Barn

Redhawks vs. Memphis Redbirds. We got the 'all-you-can-eat-seats'. So, yes, Aaron and Logan waddled out of the stadium feeling a little queasy from all the free hot dogs, cotton candy, soda, popcorn, peanuts, and nachos. Gotta get your money's worth, right? With all they consumed, they definitely made money on the deal. When Logan comes to town, sushi Neko is definitely on the menu. They even got the gross little octupus ones with the suction cup thingys still attached. One afternoon brought us down to Norman for a little Freebirds, some little sidewalk shops, and a stop at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History. I was quite impressed with all they had there, worth the short drive south. and, the Pièce de résistance... our first climbing experience at Rocktown. They actually converted an old grain bin into an elaborate rock climbing facility. There are a number of different 'rooms'...or individual silos with crazy courses, some even up to the roof. Here's me on our first run. We definitely tried to keep it on the one- and two-star level for our first time. Amazingly, they bring you in, you sign injury waiver - both physical and emotional (Hey! you suck!) - and give you a 5-minute safety prep -- then it's off you go to climb several stories in the air with only each other! I expected someone 'professional' to be belaying me (that's controlling the rope that could save my life should I slip) ...but, no, it's just me and Logan, two greenies without a clue, off to try out this new sport. We both had a few trust issues. At first, I was thinking...I will never do this again. Logan slipped once, but he was just a few feet off the ground...there was still some slack in the line and he fell back. That definitely shook our confidence for a few rounds, but by the end of the day we were both enjoying it & decided we would definitely give it another chance sometime.

Next we tried the outside course, and both made it to the top. I love this shot of Logan up on the wall. I never have been afraid of heights, but gee whiz... 'don't look down'. I couldn't imagine doing one that goes up to the roof. Aaron didn't climb with us that day. He could barely lift anything at all, especially his own body weight, after wakeboarding last weekend - and trying to pull himself up over and over. At first, I felt bad that Logan had to be stuck with me, and wished Aaron could partner up for his sake. But, I felt like I got my "belay on" by the end of it... and, Aaron's happy too. Because now he knows I'll go back.
Last but not least, we learned that Wednesdays are 75 cent day at the zoo. So, me and these two yahoos monkeyed around for a few hours checking out all our favorite little creatures.

Here's the complete package for you.

Logan, thanks for making Oklahoma City a stop along your little road trip this summer. We were delighted to have you.

I wonder if this is confusing to upcoming potential freshmen ?

Le weekend à stillwater.

I've spent the last half hour perusing the lifechurch.tv website. Aaron's brother, Cody, is the college pastor of LifeChurch in Stillwater - definitely a college town, thanks to OSU of course. Miraculous forces of the universe were aligned this weekend and we actually were able to get both our schedules synchronized long enough to go visit Cody & Sarah in Stillwater, OK this weekend. They were lovely hosts [& cooks!] and lovely playmates...we had quite the "field day" playing yard games. It was fun to catch up, relax, & spend a little time in their neck of the woods. [Anecdotal-ly, it's not everywhere that you can forget your very large purse sitting next to a bench on a town sidewalk only to return to find it untouched, exactly where you left it.]
We also really enjoyed getting to see the church where Cody works. I'd heard a lot about lifechurch, but I had never actually been to one. I say, 'been to one', because they have many campuses spread out, mostly in oklahoma - but, I read they even just started one in hendersonville, tennessee. Satellite broadcasts connect each campus so that essentially several churches are joined in worship. It's such a unique vision, I suppose you should check out the website. As someone who's just been once, I'm not exactly qualified to give you their full bio. They also have an internet campus, which I'd been reading about, so I suppose...it's even reaching others and connecting believers from around the world. I really like that, because LC is very technology-forward, their messages/sermons from all campuses are available for download. We were there last night for part of their summer series "At the Movies". I was blown away when I walked in the building - 'Back to the Future' was the theme for the lobby. We stepped right into Hill Valley itself. There was a movie theatre, lou's cafe, the famous 'clocktower', a filling station...even a flux capacitor. The only thing missing was Marty McFly himself. They both worked really hard on it. [Sarah said that absolutely nothing in this photo is usually there in the lobby. wild.]

<"At the Movies", a message series where we screen today's blockbuster hits in a way that will impact you like never before. > This is a huge outreach for their church, just another unique way of involving the community and using a familiar medium to change lives...

go ahead.

I'm an easy person to get to say... "that made my day." but, I truly mean it each time.

that said, three things yesterday earned my excited-stamp-of-approval. mine, maybe not yours. but, how could I not share these day-making new finds?

First off. Pops 66. It's this modern...space-age...yet, throw-back to celebrating the fizzy goodness that is soda pop. It's actually just a gas station... with a window of rainbow bottles to lure in travelers from the pump. The giant 66-foot soda bottle out front also makes it a little irresistable not to peek in and check out what's going on in there. The name's Pops "66" and it's a "66" foot soda because it's located along historical route "66"...did I lose you on that one? Well, with over thousands of different flavors to choose from... you can only imagine what was so magical that got my attention. You guessed it, Dublin Dr. Pepper. [some of you are rolling your eyes that I gave a carbonated beverage such an intro... others of you are so not surprised. and to my fellow okc-er's, you know you're just a little excited.] Maybe we'll have another post one day, an 'ode' if you will, on the goodness that is a soda made with real cane sugar...and the history of dr. pepper. and the 10-2-4 method. and how the fact that Dr. pepper was invented in Waco, Texas was an eerie nod that I was to go to Baylor. ok, not really. but...maybe?

Ok, item number 2 on the list. [men should probably skip this.]

There are plenty of fashion websites & magazines that advertise... you know, "Great knock-offs"...or "Splurge v. Steal"... They always offer the affordable alternatives to these pricey designer clothes, shoes, handbags. I've always found that the Splurge is a hermes silk scarf for $300 or a chanel handbag for $1,500...and the steal is a $150 scarf with a $300 purse from Macy's...

Ok, what normal person considers that bargain shopping? Well, this website:

I absolutely love. She follows the sales for you, and actually makes me interested in on-line shopping. Their real-life ideas are $20 flowery sundresses and $14 gladiator sandals... Go check it out, some more foot traffic may make her post even more often.

And, last. I shouldn't tell you that I fell over on the couch with excitement. No, I shouldn't tell you that. Because it's about a television show. and that would be lame and embarassing, right? It's no secret over here that since a few years back when my cousin was on the show, I haven't missed a season of Big Brother. Did I say season? Thanks to TiVo, I doubt I've missed an episode. Well, we're getting a double dose this year folks... that's right, season 9 ended in April [none to soon I might add...many a nights I pondered: thesis or head-of-household competition?]...and it's back again this summer. ...Starting Sunday 8/7c on CBS. Look out.

wow, this was a really silly post.

make new friends, but ke-ep the o-ld...

We love visitors.

This week, we had three. Hannah, Jonathan, & their adorable pomeranian pup, Scout.

Entertaining an out-of-towner in OKC for several days might be problematic for some, but our lovely guests made it quite easy and loads of fun!

Of course, we checked out the tourist front-runners...the OKC bombing memorial and Bricktown. We even got to ride the canal boats, something us 'okies' have never actually done. We hit up Cattleman's for world- and presidentially-famous steaks...and 'lamb fries'. [which are lamb testicles, in case you've gone your whole life without knowing people ate such. and yes, Jonathan made sure and have our waitress explain to us what we were eating.] We also 'found-the-fun' at the oklahoma city zoo, lounged by the pool, and hung out at our place - cooking, watching movies, and mastering the Wii. For the fourth, we packed up a picnic lunch and headed south to Turner Falls. ...and, we'll have to go back, because the park was 'closed'...due to overcrowding. So, our handy little GPS led us over to Chickasaw National Park, just a few miles away - known for it's hiking trails, cool water, and numerous natural springs. That night we caught UCO's legendary firewords display, which was unbelievable... CNN even ranked it one of the top 10 shows in the U.S.! For the fifth, we headed out to the Chaloner's house for a little more fun outside the city limits. The four of us went out to Red Rock Canyon during the day...later, we grilled out, played volleyball, rode scooters, shot off fireworks, and made s'mores around the fire... a very norman rockwell portrait of America's birthday if I do say so myself.

at the Bombing Memorial

Before our bricktown canal boat ride. Now we have all these useless facts and lame jokes about downtown oklahoma city. no seriously, it was just what I was hoping for.

'twas a sunset cruise...

We kept Hannah & Jonathan in the heat when they were here,

Thursday's trip to the Oklahoma City Zoo.

visiting lion country.

the chilly waters of Chickasaw natural springs.

all four of us after a little hike up to Buffalo springs.

now, at antelope springs. Lots of wildlife here, apparently.

enjoying the fireworks on the fourth.

This is the 'before' Scout. He didn't enjoy the loud noises so much.

Headed up the 'indian steps' in Red Rock Canyon, right in Aaron's hometown.

Red Rock Canyon.

...all eleven of us hit the court, I can't even remember which team won. Jonathan was definitely MVP. ...and I, should really learn how to play.

Hannah & I headed out for a scooter ride. [I ran over a live snake!]

And, of course, with Hannah & I together - you know this visit was well documented - all pictures here.

Everyone's always saying to eachother "Come and see us...." and I love that Hannah & Jonathan actually did! & spent some of their vacation time to come visit us in lil' ole Oklahoma. We had such a blast getting to hang out with you guys!

Who's next? :)