More Vacation Fun

We stayed in a beautiful 3 story house right on the beach. There was a screened-in porch around the 2nd story and this balcony on the 3rd floor. The girls came up here and chased after Mason and played driving to Kiddie Park(notice they are all wearing their "seatbelts").

One of our favorite activities in the evening was to get ice cream and walk along the pier. The girls always wanted to stand on the benches and look way down at the ocean. Many people fished off the end, and we actually got to see someone catch a small shark. Interesting to see, but made me a little uncomfortable about swimming after that.
The girls posing with a pirate.

The Beach...Day One

After two days in the car, a night in Tupelo, MS, and too any hours watching DVDs, we finally made it to the beach at Tybee Island! Abigail showing off her beach hat.

Emily taking a break.

There were may sea creatures out this morning. I found a dead jelly fish, Daddy caught a large sand crab, and we watched a dolphin roam the water.

Abigail loved the crab. She was brave enough to pet it, but usually wanted Daddy to hold it ad show it to her from a distance.

Abigail and Daddy enjoyed a swim (too far out in Mommy's opinion).

Emily mostly wandered the beach searching for seashells.

Abigail helping build a sand castle.

Emily joining in on the project.

Plans Interrupted

Our plans included Kiddie Park and cousins, but ended up being bowling with our family. We made it to Bartlesville early to eat and make it to the park when the gates opened at 7:00 PM. However, finishing our meal in Burger King we were over taken by a rain pouring, lightening flashing storm that produced a beautiful rainbow, but also forces the park to close for the evening. So, as a group we caravan around using the latest technology trying to find something we can do. After two failed attempts, Aunt Tracie, Lorelai, Benjamin, Aly, and Cade head back home. We are not prepared to give up the evening, so we continue to meander around this foreign town and wind up at a local bowling alley. I was unsure how the girls would handle this, but was pleasantly surprised at their enthusiasm and ability to play.

We started out with just the bumpers, but soon realized that if we didn't want to be here all night, we had better let them use the ramp. The ramp made the game progress a lot quicker, which got the girls very excited. We had to keep Abigail from dancing in other people's lanes. Emily just wanted to go one turn after another and she wanted to do it all by herself.

Tulsa World Article

Here is a copy of the article in today's Tulsa World, page 3!

Kids Fourth parade not washed out
Usually, the parade is held on the holiday, but it was moved up a day this year.
Rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of 3-year-old twins Abigail (left) and Emily Baker as they ride their tricycles in the Independence Day parade at New Haven United Methodist Church on Saturday. RIP STELL / for the Tulsa World
By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer Published: 7/4/2010 2:26 AM Last Modified: 7/4/2010 5:54 AM
It rained on their parade, but those who gathered Saturday at New Haven United Methodist Church didn't let that spoil their Fourth of July weekend fun.The sixth annual Independence Day parade wound its soggy way through the neighborhood around the church at 5603 S. New Haven Ave. It featured bicycles, wagons and dozens of people who were not going to allow a few raindrops to douse their holiday spirit. "It's like something out of the Saturday Evening Post," said 34-year-old Josh Baker, who was on hand with his family, which includes twin 3-year-olds. No argument there. The scene Saturday morning was like one of those tableaus of Americana that artist Norman Rockwell made synonymous with Saturday evenings. Usually, the parade is held on the Fourth of July, but it was moved up a day this year because the holiday falls on a Sunday. Stacey Schifferdecker, children's ministry director at the church, said the idea behind beginning the parade was to create a fun event for families that would also involve the surrounding neighborhood, which is just to the east of 55th Street and South Harvard Avenue. The Rev. Cindy Havlik, senior pastor at the church, said that besides being a chance for the church to reach out to the community it has called home for more than 50 years, the parade is just plain fun. "The kids have a great time," she said. So did the adults. Julie Williams, who lives about two miles away from the church, has attended
the event for the past few years. This was the first time, though, that she was on hand with her 7-month-old grandson. "It's a good way to get the weekend started and to get into the spirit," Williams said. Williams said morning is the perfect time for such a parade, with cookouts in the afternoon and fireworks at night. Of course, those usual holiday weekend plans got scrambled for a lot of people by Saturday's rain. Thanks to New Haven United Methodist Church, at least some Fourth of July tradition was preserved on Saturday. Original Print Headline: Fourth joy not washed out for tykes on bikes
David Harper 581-8359 david.harper@tulsaworld.com
By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer

4th of July Parade

We braved the rain and went with the girls to participate in a bike/trike parade. Momo helped the girls decorated their trikes. They were very excited. The parade started at New Haven Methodist church in their great-grandma's neighborhood and went about 6 blocks total. There was not much of an audience, but Gee made it out to watch as Abigail finished up by pedaling the last block and Emily walked holding her umbrella.

Waiting for the parade to start.

And, they're off!Daddy had to continually encourage Emily to keep pedaling. She often gets distracted by butterflies, dogs, flowers, another girl wearing a cute outfit.... Our bike rides take a while with her. However, Abigail is usually focused and pedals quickly; with a purpose.

The Tulsa World and Channel 6 news crews took a liking to the girls. You'll see the camera lady behind Emily, which is where she stayed for a good part of the parade. The photographer took several pictures and Daddy had an interview. Hopefully, we'll see them in the paper tomorrow and the news tonight:)

Emily finished the parade walking, carrying her umbrella.

Birthday Party Fun

We went to Ryker's 4th birthday party last week. It was fun to play with his toys, eat cake, and pick up trash. I'm sure you are thinking, "Pick up trash?? At a birthday party?" Mrs. Darci decorated Ryker's party like Wall-E. The girls have never seen the movie, but enjoyed themselves collecting the milk cartons used for part of the decorations.

Summer Reading Program

We participated in the Tulsa City-County Library's 2010 Children's Summer Reading Program. The girls love visiting the library and completing their 20 required reading books. This year some of the titles included: Windows With Birds Hardworking Puppies, Bow-Wow Bugs A Bug, Good-Bye Fergus, The Doghouse, Bunny Cakes, and A Fly Went By.

The received a necklace, inflatable orca, and a coupon booklet.

Now Where Was I??

It's been a long time since my last post, not because nothing has been happening, but rather because I lost my camera. I finally have a new one:)

Splash Pad

We love going to splash pads. Glenpool and Bixby have new ones this summer, but one of our favorites is still the QT Park at 51st and Riverside.

Daddy and Emily getting some rest after playing and eating lunch.
Abigail, a little upset because she can't make the seat spin around.

Emily, just happy to be hanging on.
The girls sharing a ride on the swing.

They both love standing or sitting on the water spouts, stopping the water from escaping.