Just What I Needed...

I was planning on more catching up with the whole Summer posts, but this quote caught my eye. If I remember correctly one of my sisters posted the You-Tube link to this talk, and I wanted to do something similar on my post but life got in the way and I didn't get to it. Anyway, I was reading a friend's blog and she has this as a header quote and it was so nice to read-the boost that I need. So, I thought I would share it.

"Don't give up. Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. You keep your chin up. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come. Some blessing come soon, some come late, some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of... Jesus Christ, they come." ~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

We are Faamiiily (as in the song...)

So. I decided that when I start having dreams (anxious crazy ones...not the good, fluffy ones) about my blog it is seriously time to update. So, without further adue, here is some major summer catch-up!!

We started off the summer in the best way, I can personally think of--with family!! Lib, Kit and her kiddos were able to stop by in Oklahoma before they moved to Virginia. Whit and her munchkins were also able to visit Mom and Dad's while we were there. We had such a great time. It always seems, that the visits are never long enough, though.
My parents were sweet enough to indulge their grand kids with a few summer playthings. One of them happened to be a large inflatable pool. {my camera ran out of batteries while I was uploading picture...shocker as the huge amount there are on this post... So, there are a few of the pool fun that I didn't get to. Hopefully I will add them on as soon as I get my new battery charger.} The pool was so much fun, especially for the older kids--and lots of fun for the littler ones when the big kids were out of the pool. :)

Here's a sweet picture of my beautiful sister, Whitney, and darling little niecie Emme. They are out enjoying the day while the kids are cooling off in the pool.

MiMi and my adorable niece, Scarlett. How beautiful are these girls?!

We tried to keep the kids busy--or else they make their own kind of fun. So, we packed up the troops and headed to a favorite destination--The OKC Zoo.

Here is a pic of my Coop. He is so great for posing for his mom. He is giving me a 5 star cheeser in front of the flamingos--one of his favorite things at the zoo.I personally get a kick out of the "stand in front of ...and look like a... In this case I believe it was a centipede. I know, I know they are supposed to bring great joy to the little tots...but it just looks so darn funny to see a kid sprout imaginary insect legs. Thank you Greyson for appeasing your mom.Here is my sweet, sweet nephew Jos. He was such a sport for posing on the bronze turtle. Most of my nieces and nephews look at me like I'm a crazy. :)My boys in front of the flamingos.They have an adorable butterfly exhibit. You and go into a netted "room" and there are butterflies that are flying free. It is really fun. The little girls especially enjoyed it. Ella loved pretending that she was a butterfly (something that she does often).I was able to catch a sweet picture of my adorable niece, Georgia.Who could resist this face?!! She is so sweet I could just squeeze the stuffing out of her!!Here is a picture that has been eluding me for a long time. He's cute, cuddly and fun to play with...nope, I'm not referring to the bear but my oh-so elusive nephew, Gavin! That little guy is a hard one to catch in front of the camera. I guess he decided to appease his Auntie to get a shot with a bear that appears to be nuzzling him. I believe that this picture happens to be one of my favorites. I took another one that doesn't have my water-bibber nephew {Gunner} in it, but then it just isn't nearly as fun. Thanks for the fun memories at the zoo, kids. {not pictured--Georgia and Emme} (I believe that G. was on a much needed potty break and Emme was well, being a little one ;)Another hot spot by our clan is the Cushing Aquatic Center. Now that I have moved away I realize what a gem that place really is. We had such a fun time there and got some great pictures.

Here is Miss G playing with one of our many inflatable toys.Ella decided that one of the inflatable rings was really hat. I guess she figured it has somehow been mislabeled. Also, on the left is my cutie-patootie nephew Ezra, enjoying the sprinklers.BFF's--oh, and cousins too, Cooper and Jos. I absolutely love this picture.Little Gun Gun had such a great time. It was so much fun watching Gunner, Ella and Georgia all playing together. They are so close in age they have built-in playmates. I was even able to get Gunner to go down the "froggie slide" a couple times. Small victories folks, small victories!Mmmm, I'd say she's adorable...but then again, I might be biased. ;)Here's my ever beautiful sister, Whit. I think I thought at the time that Scarli was smiling. I'm having my doubts now that I am getting a better look at the picture...There is always so much to do when you're at MiMi and Grandad's and there is a built in forest in their backyard. It is ready-made for imaginative play. Evidently the fairies/butterflies came out to play this evening.Also one of my favs. Ella just threw her head back and laughed at something her Auntie Whit said. These are the moments, to me, that make it all worth it. {Note: Dad in the background doing his ever present work ;)}While all the cousins were here Greyson celebrated his 6th birthday. If you were to ask me what would've been the very best thing about his birthday, he would've said being able to spend it with his cousins. I'm thinkin' he has a bit of a "boy crush" on 'em. He was so excited that they were able to help him celebrate his special day. We started off the day opening his presents. The kids were all pretty willing to indulge me in all my snap-happy picture taking. I currently have this picture in my house in a frame titled "The Boys". I would have to say this is a pretty priceless pic.
Now we couldn't leave Little Ell-Bell out...Greyson was in luu-uuuv with these sandals. He had showed them to Phillip and me quite a bit earlier and we decided to indulge him for his birthday. Parenthood makes you do crazy things, like buying unattractive, light-up sandals. He was thrilled, and I guess that's what counts.Grey with all his "loot".After the presents and the always favorite lunch at CiCi's we decided to take a small jont down to Pop's. I think that the adults love this place as much as the kids do. Greyson chose his favorite pop--orange creamcicle. I'd say any orange drink would've done it, though.My beautiful niece, Emme. Look at that sweet smile!!There is rarely a picture that is taken that doesn't involve some sort of child. While, I am a great proponent of picture taking (especially when it involves kids because they generally crack me up) but it is nice sometimes to get a picture of me with...gasp...other adults. This one just happens to be with some of my very favorite people ever.I don't think that Greyson would've accepted any other type of cake than one that said "OSU". That kid seriously bleeds orange (you should see his room...but that's another post for another day). Happy birthday, Little Man, happy birthday.

Ahh, it feels nice to get this post under my belt. Thanks for sticking with me, and if you didn't a really don't blame you. :) But, nonetheless we had a great visit with my sister and their kiddos. I can't wait for the next time this happens.