A quick visit

On our way home from Jena's wedding, we stopped to see Tim and Erinn. I was excited to see little baby Ella and Noah! Ella is just a sweet little baby and I was so excited for Erinn as she had been hoping for  a girl.

Every time I see Noah, he just is so much more grown up! Seems like he didn't grow nearly as quickly when I saw him all the time. He was a little shy though; that comes with not seeing him as much. Although he did start talking with me when I asked him about his colored bugs on the floor just as we were getting ready to leave.

It was a short visit; just not long enough. The next one will definitely have to be longer!

An Oklahoma wedding

The weekend on April 21st found Luke and myself in Oklahoma City for Jena and Russell's wedding. An Oklahoma wedding. We had a Kentucky wedding in 2010, a Kanasas one (mine!) in 2011 and now the time has arrived for Jena's in Oklahoma!

This is the third year we've had a wedding in our family in the spring and it's always been something to enjoy each year! It took us girls a few years to find "the right one", but once we did, we must have decided that getting married one year after another was the best! ;)

Luke and I drove to Dad's house in Kansas Wednesday evening. I had sent Dad a grocery list the week before and he had everything in the fridge and on the counter--just waiting to be cooked and baked! Thankfully (and gratefully with Luke's help!) in about three hours I had breakfast pizza, cinnamon rolls, BBQ macaroni casserole, chicken enchiladas and an oreo pie made, divided into meals and in the freezer.  Whew!! I love being able to cook and leave stuff for him in the freezer, but I planned a little too much in such a short time span this time. But we got it finished!

Thursday morning we headed for Oklahoma City. I was so excited beyond excited! Thrilled for Jena's wedding, anxious to see little Landon (Ryan and Krissa too!) and also for heat! :) We had rehearsal Thursday evening at the vineyard. And then us girls headed out for supper and a bachellorette party for Jena. The guys went bowling.

rehearsal at the vineyard (beautiful location!) 

One of my favs of Jena and Russell from rehearsal!

Friday was a relaxed day, finishing up a few wedding details, a bridal luncheon and then rehearsal dinner. The last few days before Jena's wedding were much more relaxed than Krissa's or mine. But such was the nature of Jena's wedding. Just more casual, more relaxed, but definitely fun.

all of us!

rehearsal dinner

Saturday morning we went through the yearly routine of the hair salon, makeup, running around making sure this and that got done, getting dressed, photos and then the fun begins!

The day was beautiful--sunshine, green grass, warm weather and no wind. The setting was rustic and contemporary--a vineyard ceremony, a horse drawn carriage, a rustic barn reception and ending with fireworks. And the time spent with family and friends was sweet.

 they're married!

 and of course, the traditional sister pic!

usher and bridesmaid (us!) :)

love this little guy!

Jena and Russell left in a black corvette amidst fireworks for a Mexican honeymoon and then then ending started. We cleaned up, packed gifts and decorations into three vehicles and unpacked it all into the Moore's new home. It was over. All the planning, anticipation and event itself had come to an end.

Sunday morning we said our last goodbyes. Ryan & Krissa headed back to Kentucky and us back to Kansas and then Colorado. Fun times. Lasting memories. And sadness that this is the last time. (Well, maybe not for Dad--he might be ready for a year without a daughter getting married! ;))

Seems like we've been through this before?! ;) Such good times. Next year, we're going to be in spring wedding withdraw! We told Dad he had a year to find someone and get engaged to carry on the family tradition! ;) lol

He's done it. But I did it better!

Luke has a habit of scaring me. Now, to be brutally honest, it doesn't take too much. I seem to jump without much effort. But there are times that he seriously scares me like crazy!

One time, I was talking to Krissa on the phone while in the kitchen getting supper ready. Luke came home from work about that time and scared me so much that I screamed and dropped the phone! My heart didn't stop racing for the next hour! Neither did Krissa's. ;)

That wasn't the only time; there's more. But I'm not going to list each and every one. My fingers would tire from typing. Maybe I should find a phone app where I just checkmark that he's done it again. That would keep a running tally of just how many times...

Anyway....so, I'm continually trying to scare him. Usually, it never works. Except this one time, I had all planned out. And was he ever going to jump out of his skin?! Ohhhhhh, yeah!!!!!!

This photo is proof. Looks like me under the covers, huh?

It was a Monday evening. Luke's birthday actually. (I know, I'm cruel. But like I said, it was going to be GOOD!) I'm usually in bed and sometime already asleep by the time he gets home from handbell rehearsal. I know, I know, I go to bed early, but that fact makes this work. :)

I dimmed the lights, stuffed pillows and blankets under the covers to make it look like me and hid. And waited. And waited. And waited.

Finally, I heard the garage door....I waited.....and tried not to laugh....

Creaking stairs as Luke came up. Just a little bit more.....

Footsteps across our bedroom to my side of the bed. Almost.....

From my closet hiding spot, I could see him start to peek into the covers.....NOW.....

BBBBBBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

And then I collapsed on the bed. Laughing. It worked. 110%!! Did I succeed? Would I really post this if I didn't?! ;)

I think he had recovered by the next morning. :) He's done it, but I did it better! It may have been a once in a lifetime event, but it worked!

It's a pink trike!

First, the color was blue. Then, the second one was green. And the third one???

PINK!!!!

Just feel the sunshine!

I love my kitchen and the direction it faces.  In the afternoon, starting around noon, sunshine starts streaming in the sliding glass doors and spilling onto my kitchen floor. It's wonderful! It provides so much light, but even better, it provides warmth!


Even in the cold winter months, the warmth of the sun coming in warms up that part of the house by 10 degrees or so. And as winter is slowly fading away and more warm weather is headed toward us, I'm enjoying the sun even more. Many afternoons I find myself sitting on the kitchen floor in front of that sliding glass door, soaking in every ray of sun!