bringing an end to August!

I made a trip to Oklahoma City for a week to attend a conference for work.  I have to say that I loved it there.  I am not only saying that because I have a handful of friends who live there...but because the area we were at (which I know is new and not reflective of the entire city, yada yada!) was great.  I want to go back!

She tried to come with me...but I just couldn't take her and my flat iron, so I guess I had to pick!  Dad was in charge for the kids first full week of school with both kids in session.  As always, he did great and everyone was alive and thriving when I got home!

The OKC bombing site.  This was an amazing place. 

There are chairs placed on a portion of the courtyard in the outside memorial area to represent each life lost that day.  They are placed by floor (9 floors) and sized by age. When you can see a chair your size, with a chair sized for your child, it leaves an impact.  

Before their world came to a crash....

A clock that had broken when the bombing occurred. 

The indoor memorial was very emotional.  The building takes you through the day and was separated into pieces - live video coverage was shared as well as the sites and sounds of that day.  It was draining to experience, yet so humbling to realize how blessed we are to have not suffered such tragedy.  

On our way home we went through Moore, OK.  We originally wanted to spend an evening there to help but we were not able to organize with local agencies.  Seeing the devastation, again, on a different level reminded me that OK truly is Oklahoma Strong. 

When mom goes on a work trip it always means fun stuff when I return...which is always exciting!  

wax 'stache!  I remember having wax lips, the kids these days have it so great ;-)

This moment can be rare to see!  I walked in the living room and this is how I found them sitting together!

super excited to go play in the sprinklers!

NE state fair!  This was a neat demonstration on solar energy for the kids to understand (okay, and maybe the adults too!)

Harper loved it in the serta tent!  He tested out several beds, and probably convinced me to get a new one!  They were heavenly!

these two would have fallen asleep if it weren't for Harper & I to keep them awake!

The super slide!  They came down fast!

Her big muscles won her a prize!

His too!

Charli and Harper both went on a zip line while at the fair.  Charli wasn't crazy about it, but Harper was so she had to step up and put her brave face on!  They looked so little on the 40' platform (sorry to scare you mom!).  They loved it, and wanted to do it again!

I have no pictures because I videoed it! 

The Haines girls came to the fair on the same day as us, so we got to hang with them for a bit! They got to cause some trouble on the beds together!  

Chad promised Harper a "sleep over" so they made their beds on Harper's floor and had lights out.  The next day Harper said "I think we will try it again tonight, we didn't even stay up late playing with toys"!  I guess he has picked up a few pointers from Charli's sleepovers!

Packing in more fun!

August was full of starting new things...soccer started up, 1st grade, and preschool!

On his way to his first soccer practice! 

Harper loves to play soccer...until it is game time - then he is too exhausted from the prep work of warming up at home and running the field before the game starts!

They both had soccer on the night...so they thought they were big stuff! Notice Charli's tucked in shirt?  She wants to tuck all of her shirts in...all of the time!  This drives me nuts!!!!

Worn out from her first game of the season!

Charli & Braxton at a family wedding!

Grandma Deb & Harper

Harper got to get his groove on with a cousin from Oregon, who he has never met...but neither were too shy to cut a rug ;-)

We love the new crayola suckers at our house!  

Immanuel Lutheran has a fun night for kids & families before school starts....it was fun!

My parents came down to take Chad out to eat at Picket Fence (his favorite) for his birthday!  He is spoiled...not sure they took me out for my birthday ;-)

I love this picture!  Charli and her friend Ava.  

On of our last big fun things to mark off of our bucket list for the summer was an air boat ride!  Chad has been trying (really hard) to get an air boat to call his own.  As a consolation prize, we took an hour ride instead!  The kids loved it...we all loved it.  I would never tell Chad, but it would be fun to get to do that all the time!

Charli's first day of school!  

The picture on the left is Charli fro Kindergarten...the right is her first day of 1st grade!  Not only did our mailbox shrink, but she looks so much more grown up.  When did that happen?

Rocking the foam party for Columbus Days!

Charli raced this hamster ball as fast as she could...she almost fell out the bottom she said!

Harper loved it too, go figure!  Any reason to run around like a crazy person, he is first in line!

They thought this was hilarious!  Not so much that the dog is huge, but that he had an Iowa shirt on!  

 Aunt Amanda, Uncle Brad, and Braxton even came out to watch a game this season!  

Charli asked for this picture...she said she was "high fashion"

 Love these three!  Charli, Marissa, & Harper 

These two begged to take these pictures, in their football pose! 

(helmets were worn...they wanted a pic to see their faces!!)

 Childhood cancer survivors and their supporters joined Sammy's Superheroes for the Columbus Day's Parade!  We had fun and appreciated everyone who was able to make it!

Charli & Sammy 

(Sammy is from Columbus and currently in treatment for neuroblastoma) 

During this weekend we were told about a man who was traveling from South Dakota to Mexico by foot/horseback.  He is adding a horse to his team with each state he travels though. At the end of his journey he wants to donate these horses to families in need or for therapy services.  He was a super neat guy to talk to!

Harper's first day of preschool!  

Harper and I went out for "after school lunch".  They kids have 1/2 days on the first day in Columbus, so it is something I started with Charli as well!  Charli picked Doozy's I think.  Harper picked Applebees.  I think Harper won that one! 

Mom of the year ordered his book bag one day too late, so he wanted another picture on his 2nd day of school to show off his book bag -- and his muscles apparently!  

 A friend from high school, Mychelle, will be running in a marathon this September.  To honor Charli and all other fighters she asked if she could have Charli's "logo" printed on her special running shirt.  We were super honored and excited that she not only remembered all these kids fighting, but selected Charli to be the one she wears while she runs her heart out!  

Maggie, who moved to Omaha, came to visit in August too!!  What an exciting treat!  We miss her to pieces!!