Oklahoma- Wagoner

After Labor Day weekend, we headed east for Wagoner to spend time with Micah's family.  We had a blast!  We spent lots of time outdoors at the lake, floating the river, and playing in the backyard in the pool and sandbox.  Micah's brother and his family were with us as much as possible too and Jacob loved the playtime with his cousins.  I have to say that for future reference, the week AFTER Labor Day is a fabulous time to take vacation.  We had the lake almost to ourselves and we didn't see another person floating the river!

We would load up the jet-skis and head down to the lake to ride whenever the mood would hit us.  It's so nice to have the lake so close and for that to be so easy!  Of course Micah's parents do a lot of work making sure the jet-skiis and everything are ready to ride before we get there.  Thank you!  One day we even decided to make a quick picnic lunch and head down to the lake for the afternoon.  Jacob loved riding the jet-skiis with Daddy and Grandpa.  The kids also enjoyed using the back of the sitting jet-skiis as a jumping spot. It's so nice to get to enjoy being outside!

One of our favorite things to do is to go canoeing on the Illinois river.  However, we haven't done that for the last couple of years because of Jacob.  Micah and I decided that we thought he was old enough to handle the trip so we tested it out.  Jacob had a blast!  At first he hated the moving water but once we got him used to it he enjoyed floating down and letting the water take him.  Again, it's so much fun to have these experiences with our boy and to enjoy the outdoors.  In order to keep Jacob entertained while in the canoe we would fill up a bucket with rocks and he would throw them over the side of the boat as we floated.  Such a fun day!

Of course we also spent a lot of time just hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa's and playing with cousins.  

There was a home football game in Stillwater our last weekend in Oklahoma so we were excited to get to go to a game.  I really wanted to get to campus early to take pictures and let Jacob run around campus.  However, it ended up being super rainy and kinda ruined those plans.   I also really didn't want to take Jacob to the game since it was at 2 (during nap time) and I know a football game with a 2 year old is not something I want to do.  My initial thoughts for babysitters did not work out.  Luckily for us, my cousin Seth and his wife Michelle volunteered to babysit for us.  Life savers!!  Thanks so much Seth and Michelle!  By game time, the rain had stopped and we were able to enjoy the game. 

We left Wagoner early Sunday morning to head back to Houston for our last few days in the USA.  Our visit in Oklahoma was so much fun we were sad to leave.

Oklahoma- Labor Day Weekend

Once Micah arrived in the USA we all loaded up and headed back to Oklahoma.  We first went to Wagoner to spend one night with Micah's parents before continuing on to Stillwater.   We basically arrived in Wagoner in time to head down to the lake and go for evening rides on the jet-skiis.  Of course I wasn't able to ride but I still enjoyed sitting down at the lake letting Jacob swim.

The Perry's were very generous in agreeing to drive to Stillwater to spend a couple days with us at my parents farm house.  We had a blast hanging out on the farm.  The boys enjoyed riding the Gator and the 4 wheeler around while Lindsey and I enjoyed sitting on the back porch talking and soaking up the beautiful weather.  We truly couldn't have asked for better weather.  Most of our meals we ate outside on the back porch except of course for our trip to Eskimo Joes. It was a great couple of days and I'm so grateful to friends willing to drive so far just to see us!

Every Labor Day weekend my Gilbert family gets together for my Papa's birthday.  It also happens to be great timing for the Gilbert Family fantasy football draft.  The weekend is always filled with lots of football, food, fun, and family.  

On Sunday, we had Papa's 84th birthday party at my Aunt Sandra's.  As it turns out, my wonderful family had also planned a surprise baby shower!  I was very surprised!! It was a good thing I had changed out of my clothes I had worn out on the gator.  We were showered with all sorts of lovely gifts, beautiful decorations, and a cute yummy cake.  Thanks Traci, Mom, and Sandra for hosting!

I just love the years that Micah and I are able to spend Labor Day weekend in Oklahoma with family!