Hailey and Emma are here from Kansas

Eva left us on Wednesday to go back to Denmark. It was so sad to put her back on a plane, it feels like she should always be here with us. We miss her already, but we didn't have much time to think about it before my nieces came to visit. They decided they wanted to come see their cousins and meet Caroline. We love having them here. We have tried to keep all of them busy and I'm getting a little tired. We have done arts and crafts, swimming, jumped on the trampoline, played the wii, gone to the park, ate snow cones and whew now they're in bed. I can't wait to see what they want to do tomorrow.

Hailey, Grace (don't you love her crimped hair), Lydia, Caroline and Emma
Hailey should win a prize for finding the world's smallest frog.

Grace, Hailey, Lydia and Emma

Eva's family visiting Oklahoma

I know you all remember Eva our exchange student that lived with us for 10 months. She came here from Denmark to experience the United States as a high school student. She was such a wonderful addition to our family and she will forever remain in our hearts. Well, Eva and her family decided to pay us a little visit. We were so excited to have them here. They stayed 2 nights in Edmond and then went on to Chicago to visit relatives. While they were here we took them to Cowboy Hall of Fame (You can't get more Oklahoma than that) and had a big American feast with family and friends. Eva stayed behind and will be with us until the 29th.

Jeff, Lydia, Eva, Per, Sarah (Eva's friend from Edmond), Inger, and Kasper in front of the Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Sarah, Kasper, Per, Inger, Lydia, Eva, Jeff and Caroline gather around the table.

Lydia and Kasper playing bowling on the Wii. We even got Inger (Eva's mother) to play.

Kristi turned 40!!!!!!!!

I have a very dear friend named Kristi. She is one of my most favorite people in the whole world. We have been friends for about 12 years. Kristi is a very nosy and sneaky person and very hard to pull a surprise on. Surprisingly enough, we were able to do it. With the help of her husband Don and her good friend Tracy she was SURPRISED!!!!!!!Here is Kristi with her birthday cake. We weren't able to put 40 candles on because of the fire it could have started. She was at least able to make a wish and blow 12 out.

Tracy, Don and Kristi having a great time.

These are some more of our great friends, Jeanie, Michelle, Liz and Sheryl.

Todd, Don, Mike and Jeff enjoying Don's new Paradise cabin.

Kristi, me, Briley and Trena striking a pose.

Trip to the lake

Well, we finally had a chance to get to the lake. The kids have been begging us to get down there and we just now have finally made the time. We only had 1 day but the weather was perfect. It was just the 4 of us and Caroline stayed with her Nana.

Here is Grace with her goggles on. I'm not sure how her ears survived!

Lydia having fun in the sun.

Science Museum

The Dues and of course the Ellis' decided to go to the science museum on July 5th. We had a wonderful time. There is so much to do and not always enough time or energy to do it all. The girls had been before but this was Jeffs first time ever. I think he had more fun looking around and tinkering with stuff than anyone.

Jeff and Clint having way too much fun!

Lydia learning how to drive a Segway. She did a great job. She went again and again and again.....

Jeff and Caroline just hanging out watching all of the fun.

Jeff and Grace testing something out.

Well, here I am trying to learn to drive a Segway, it was a little shaky getting started.

4th of July cookout and attempt of fireworks

We had our life group over for a 4th of July cookout. We had wonderful food and great company. The weather was kind of crazy for July, but it kept things pretty cool. There was a slight delay in doing our small fireworks because a storm rolled in but it passed by and the kids could do their smoke bombs, sparklers and I noticed the men threw in a few rockets. Everyone also went for the firework show at UCO but Caroline and I stayed at the house.

Jeff and Clint doing what they love most.

Randy, Kamden, Clint, Jeff, and Scott eating and shooting the bull.

Melissa, Caroline, Kathleen and Shalayn eating and sharing the joys of motherhood.

Laynie, Lydia and Clint trying to light sparklers in the rain. Not sure who thought that would work.

Grace itching to do fireworks and waiting for the storm to blow over.

4th of July parade

We had a fun and busy 4th of July weekend. We started out the weekend with the famous Edmond parade. It's such a big deal here that you have to set your chairs out the night before or around 6:00 the morning of. If you don't, you won't have a good spot. So the men left out at 6:00 a.m so we would have front row seats.

Here are Laynie, Lydia, Blake and Grace enjoying the perfect view.

Jeff and Sweet Caroline watching the parade. We all gave thanks to God because we didn't sweat our tails off this year.

Caroline is getting passed from one lap to another to keep her occupied. She did love the highschool marching bands.