Botanical Gardens

Tulsa has started building a Botanical Garden about 25 mins from our home. There isn't much there right now; a lake with a trail and 300 newly planted trees. It's on a lot over 160 acres. When it's done it will be gorgeous, I'm sure. They are trying to raise money so they can continue to add on. We went up there Saturday afternoon to check it out and have a picnic. It was so quiet and peaceful. We were the only ones out there (because hardly anyone knows about it) and we we walked around the lake with the kids. We stopped about half way around and had a little picnic lunch; something Miguel has been begging to do. The kids love being in nature! They were throwing rocks in the lake and finding any bug they could. This is definitely something we will do again soon.

Dancin' in the Rain

It was more like playin' in the rain or chasin' Mommy in the rain but we had a good time. One of my favorite things about Oklahoma are the summer rains.

Me trying to get the boys...

Spinning Miguel...the boys loved this. They would hold their mouths open trying to catch rain drops.

We have a slight gutter issue so when it rains we get a waterfall infront of our porch. Gabe thought it was great fun!

I'm not even sure...it's a piece of mulch...

Gabe cuddling with Daddy after to warm up...

Our Stay-cation

Our Labor day weekend started out with Ces coming home at 11:30 on Friday morning...total surprise and I loved it! We talked about going away for the weekend but then decided we could have just as much fun staying home. We started out our weekend with a camp out in the backyard. The kids were beside themselves with excitement. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and then we climbed in our tent where we talked, giggled and looked at stars. Gabe was so excited it took him til about 10:00 to finally calm down and fall asleep. It was an absolutely beautiful night for our little backyard adventure and we all had a blast. The kids are ready to sleep out there every night...except Emma and I request a mattress!

Saturday morning we went and picked up my sister Rana and went to the zoo. We like to get to the zoo when it first opens in the morning because the animals are almost always out and playful and the weather is great! Gabe is in love with turtles! We aren't quite sure why but it was one of the first understandable words he said and he has always been fascinated with them. And we came across some HUGE ones right at the front of the zoo...He was in heaven and it took some serious bribing to get him to move on.

It was also one of the elephants birthdays and they were having a celebration for her. They had some crafts & face painting for the kids. Emma and Gabe made some elephant ears...Miguel had no interest he just wanted to find the snakes.

He found the snakes...


Gabe was pouting about have to leave the penguin exhibit...too cute!


A little break from animals to do some climbing...

(random kid on the far right)

The kids with their Aunt Rana

After the zoo we met up with my Mom and Dad and ate some lunch at one of Ces' favorite mexican restaurants, Mr. Mambo...It's really yummy!!

After lunch we took a little break by watching some football at my Moms and the kids wrapped up the day with a game of tag with their Grandmama...

Sunday was our relaxing day. We went to church, ate lunch at my Mom's, my Dad & sister (who live in Arkansas) stopped in for a visit and then our friends, the Mason's, brought over some yummy cinnamon rolls and our kids played for a while. After they left we had a big sleep over in the living room and watched "The Sword in the Stone".

On Monday we started out at my Grandma & Grandpa's with our traditional Labor Day breakfast of sausage roll and fresh sliced tomatoes. YUUUMMM!!! Then we went to the Aquarium. Miguel was most excited about this and he was all over the place. He wanted to see the sharks but every exhibit thrilled him and I couldn't get him to stay in one spot for more than a few seconds. They all had so much fun!

Daddy just had to get in the picture : D

JELLYFISH!!!!

Emma and Ces comparing mouths with the sharks...I think the shark wins : )

Ces, Emma & Miguel (with randoms kids)

Gabey looking at fishies

The kids were able to pet baby nurse sharks & sting rays, as well as feed some stingrays!

Our last adventure for the weekend was a movie. We went and saw, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, it was a very fun movie and we all enjoyed it. After that we went home and crashed! It was a long, fun, exciting weekend with a lot of great memories! I can't wait to do it again!!!