Oh, the honesty of children . . . .

This weekend I got to spend the weekend with my nephew and nieces in Winfield. We always have such a great time together and this weekend was no different. They are such wonderful kids and I am proud of them in every way.

Unfortunately Don was not with us because he is spending a few days with his dad, helping him get some things done around his house. Saturday evening we decided to drive to Ponca City to eat so the kids and Don could see each other and enjoy an hour or so visiting. So, we all loaded in our "new" 1990 Buick. A few minutes into the drive Jenna asked how she was supposed to roll down the window. You see, this car has CRANK windows - something that 6-year-old Jenna has never seen before. Oh, the wonder of such a thing. She had all kinds of interesting questions and comments about how these windows work. So I suggested that when she went to school on Monday she could tell her friends about these windows. She politely said that she did not want to tell anyone. Well, this, of course, led Paige, Trevor, & I to taunt her about being embarrassed about Aunt Neta's car. With all the seriousness of a politition she announces that she is NOT embarrassed. She states that she loves Aunt Neta's car, cause it is an "old-fashion" car - she just doesn't want to tell anyone so it can be our secret! How funny! We all had a good laugh while she continued to proclaim that she LOVED Aunt Neta's old fashioned car!

I just love the honesty - and loving consideration that comes from this wonderful child!

I'm Grateful and Honored!

A few weeks ago one of my professors pulled me to the side and told me she was recommending me for a paid liaison position with WSU and she gave me an application to fill out and hand in to the Urban Teacher Preparation Program Liaison leader.

Today I met with that leader and was asked to join the team. I am so excited. There seems to be about 10 WSU Education Majors on the team. We sign up to attend H.S. FEA (Future Educators Association) meetings and work as a liaison between the school and WSU. We also work as mentors to the FEA members. The maximum 77 hours per year work limit is not a lot of hours but I feel like this is an incredible opportunity and a huge blessing!

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Neighborhood!

Several weeks ago we received an invitation to a neighborhood potluck dinner. There are 3 ladies in our neighborhood who took the time to plan, invite neighbors, and rent the North Park Villa for a potluck dinner so we could all get to know each other a little better. Kathy admitted last night that they were really not even sure that anyone would come - How wrong they were! The ladies invited everyone in an area 2 blocks long & 4 different streets. I counted how many people were there several different times and would estimate that about 50-60 people came. There was more food than we could possibly eat and everyone was mingling around meeting each other. We met several families we did not know yet and everyone there is looking forward to the fall dinner we are having in a few months. WHAT A GREAT IDEA!

We feel so blessed that God lead us to this neighborhood. It is about as close to small town living as one can get in the city.

Riverside Rocks!

Our Vacation Pictures

Last week Don and I were blessed with a wonderful, relaxing, FREE vacation! We got to stay at the Richardson Resort in Winfield. Our pets were welcome and they even had other dogs, puppies, and a cat to play with.

Roxie especially loved the pool. It seems that Roxie, our Golden Retriever (well known for their water skills) isn't really that keen on swimming - but she sure does love to ride around on a floatie! If we tried to go swimming without her she would cry and cry at the ladder. Also, one of the resident dogs (Smore) loved to bring her ball to the pool, drop it in the pool in hopes that you would throw it for her, and walk around the edge of the pool making sure you knew where the ball was at all times. Roxie loved to watch Smore and her antics.

Roxie also enjoyed playing with the 10 six week old puppies at the resort. She wasn't sure what to think of them but did like "herding" them for us when we got them out to play.

Don got to go fishing almost everyday and he caught quite a few big bass. He invited Tony Hemmen one day, his brother Troy another day, and his friend Brent yet another day. A good time seemed to be had by all the fishermen.

We also had a great time when mom and dad invited us to dinner. They only live 25 miles away. We had a great dinner and an even better time visiting with them. It was really nice to just sit and visit for an evening.

One day we drove to Ark City to Graves Drug Store because Kim told us they have an old fashioned style soda fountain. Don and I shared a Brown Cow (for all you young whipersnappers who don't know what that is - rootbeer, chocolate syrup, vanilla ice cream float with whipped cream and a cherry) - DELISH! We even got to sit at the bar in the soda fountain with our 2 spoons and 2 straws sharing our treat.

WHAT A GREAT VACATION!

PEACHES, PEACHES, AND MORE PEACHES. YUM!

Last Friday we took our annual trip to Porter, OK to buy Peaches at the Livesay Orchard. As usual the peaches are so delicious we wound up eating most of them. Every single day, all day, we are enjoying these wonderful juicy peaches. Yesterday I noticed some getting bad spots and froze 4 quarts for later.

We had a wonderful trip to Porter this year. Don called his sister, who lives near Tulsa, and she and her husband met us for lunch. It was great catching up and spending some time with them.

Our camera quit us and we bought a $10 digital camera while in Tulsa. People, it is true, you DO get what you pay for. Below are the pictures we got. But just keep in mind - they came from a $10 camera.

Don, with his sister, Portia, and brother-in-law, JD

Don, Portia, and me

Livesay Orchard

Of course we had to shop at Bass Pro

KROUT FAMILY REUNION

Last weekend was our Krout Family reunion and we had a great time. This was our 17th annual reunion and there was a bigger turnout this time than ever.

Saturday night is the night the "cousins" come out to the lake to have fun the night before the actual reunion on Sunday. We had 22 people come out Saturday night and several of us stayed up until 2:30 AM or later just catching up, playing games, and sharing laughs.

Sunday we had a building full of people and more wonderful food than we could possibly eat. As my cousins' children grow up and get married we are now having new babies every year and it is so fun to watch them all grow. This year we had 2 boys and 1 girl that were born after last year's reunion. One of my cousins and his wife are expecting another baby in December so we will have at least one new baby next year. It is amazing to look around at that large room full of people and think about how it all began when 2 people fell in love and started a family.

By my count there were 61 people at the reunion this year - WOW! The best part was, it seemed like everyone had a great time.

A group picture will be posted as soon as I receive it.

4th of July Weekend

We had a full, fun weekend this 4th of July weekend.

Friday: Don and his 2 brothers went fishing in the flinthills. After fishing Troy had to head back to go do things with his wife's family but Jimmy came home with Don. While they were fishing Jimmy's wife and daughter (Lorrine and Haleigh) came up and we went to Xenon so Haleigh could get a haircut (which turned out super cute). Haleigh has beautiful red wavy hair and this cut is so perfect for her. All she had to do was wash it in the morning and let it dry by itself and it looked incredible.

We all got up early Saturday morning and went to the farmers market and then out to our favorite breakfast place. Unfortunately Jeanne's was closed but we went to The Beacon and it was delish! After breakfast Don and Jimmy came back here and cleaned up the alley, tilled the garden, mowed the lawn, and had a short nap. Us three girls headed out to shop. We shopped until we litterly droppd but we sure did have a good time. Haleigh was able to get everything she needs for the camp she leaves for on Friday and I was so excited to find a pair of Dearfoam houseshoes at Burlington Coat Factory for only $2.99. (Another good bargain - I had coupons for Antie Anne's pretzels in my Entertainment Book. We all three had a pretzel for the price of only 1!!!!) Don and Jimmy went to see the fireworks but us girls stayed home. (Lorrine's leg was killing her from the long shopping day and Roxie was terrified of all the firework sounds.) After they got back the boys and Haleigh shot off some fireworks in the street.

Everyone slept in a little on Sunday then we had breakfast together before they had to head home.

Our pets also had a good time with our company, they were constantly acting goofy or mauling someone. When Jim and his family left on Sunday both Roxie and Bella were standing at the door looking out sadly watching them drive away. They were both asleep 15 minutes later and slept most of the day!

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND!