OklaHOMa

 Warning: I got a little carried away with this post and it's long - feel free to skim it.
The last few days have been busy, busy for us!  We just got back from three great days in Tulsa, visiting friends and family over the weekend.  Scott's little sister, Elena, graduated from high school and we were able to move a few work days around, with help from some friends, to go back and celebrate with the family!  We drove this time so that we could take Ariyah, and left on Thursday evening after we got off of work.  We made it to northern Louisiana and had to get a hotel room and then finished the drive on Friday.  Ten hours in the car is just too long after a few straight days of 12 hours shifts...  Elena's party was Friday evening and went great!

Scott's brother Kurt and our niece Becca were able to fly in from Chicago to be with us as well so it was a great family affair.  

We spent the day Saturday by the pool and lake with our friends the Crouches.  Us girls laid out and swam with the babies, while the boys fished, read, played Ninja games and were their normal wild selves.  

Elena, Clover, Me, Tiffany, distracted Anna, and Esther

We grilled out and enjoyed dinner on the deck.  This was taken right before the wild boar came out of hiding and wandered across the embankment across the lake.  Luke and Tiffany had their Great Danes over to play with Ariyah and we're very happy they didn't notice and decide to start a hunt.

Saturday night we went out on the town with more friends.  We tried to be really fun and exciting, but by that time both Scott and I were pretty pooped.  We still had a good time though.

Fun with Josh, Keith and Ellen

Sunday was wonderfully relaxing.  We grilled steak with the family and sat on the deck for hours together catching up

  

Arguably one of the most exciting parts of Sunday was the fact that Scott and I were finally able to get our fresh 1st Wedding Anniversary cake from Ludgers and completely indulge in it with the rest of the family.  I've been craving it for several months now (basically since our wedding) and am so happy we finally got it!  In a perfect world they would give us one for every Anniversary I think.  It would be such a good added incentive to stay married forever and ever ;)

We spent some time with the Crawfords, before Scott's dad took us flying.  Another exciting part of the day for me is that Dadoo gave me my very own Flight Log Book so that I can start logging my flying hours and work towards getting my license if I want!  We went out to a grass strip a few miles out of town and worked on Landings by doing Touch and Go's in the Piper Cub.  The weather was perfect just before sunset and all the world seems to be just right when you've got a birds eye view.

This morning we were up early and on the road before 6:00 to beat the afternoon traffic in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.  We made it back in record time - 9hrs and 49minutes.  We raced the GPS estimated time of arrival the whole way and are quiiiiite proud of ourselves (Scott being the especially proud member of the family).  My bladder was pushed to the limits towards the end there, but Scott insisted we persevere.  I survived, but am happy to be free of that car finally.