Parents' Visit

So the parents survived another visit to the Blevins' household.

• Two grueling games of Trivial Pursuit.  I would blame our ineptness at this game to senility, but Dad won both games....and he's the oldest.  Although I could protest both games since he kept moving MY game piece.  Remind me next time to just give him Yellow.

• A 6-year-old birthday party filled with inflatables for the kids...

but hard benches for the old folks.

• A morning swim with an uninvited guest.  Which Dad fearlessly chopped up into little pieces with a butcher knife. Probably one of those "good" snakes that eats other snakes, but hey, it's the thought that counts.  And Mom thanks you.

• An hour in a bookstore with a 6-year-old and 3-year-old.

I like to wear out my houseguests.

My Favorite Grandson is Six Today and I Have No Pictures

How could I possibly let this happen?  I'm the worst Nana ever.

And I blame it on the following:

1.  There was actually no "party" today.
2.  I spent most of the morning alongside my husband, who was taking a "Concealed Carry" class (refresher course for me) and the first part of the afternoon taking target practice in the sweltering 187 degree heat.
3.  I had a headache.  See #2.

Not that there weren't plenty of Kodak moments.

Jacob couldn't wait to show off his "bucking shark riding" skills to all the friends taking refuge from the heat in our pool.  And there was no shortage of applauding fans.  Five munchkins (ages 2-6), four 30-somethings, and five of us old fogies.  I'm pretty sure Jeremy got some pictures and videos, and if he's a good son, he'll share them with me.

Then I'll share them with you.

Then I'll reclaim my status as the perfect Nana.

Happy burfday, Sugar Bear!  I love you.

This is why I love Oklahoma

You never know when you're gonna see a wagon train in front of your house.

Accomplished horsemen.

Covered wagons.

Cowgirls and cowboys.

Cowchildren.  I think I just made up that word.

CC
Cowteenagers.  Another new word to add to your vocabulary.

The traffic backed up on the highway, just tryin' to get to the lake, for heaven's sake......(Ha!  That rhymed!)

Be alert, my Canadian friends, they're headin' north.  At this pace though, you have about a year and a half to get your cameras ready.

And last, but not least....truck riders enjoying the attention and waving for the camera.  Yee Haw!!

I love this state!

Where's Waldo? A visual test.

We have a new, and somewhat psychotic, kitten.  The primal hunting/sneaking up/attacking instincts are quite strong.  I have the scars to prove it.

Right now, he's too little to leave outside.  There are too many predators around here who would love nothing more than to make a snack out of him (we miss you, Yankee and Sox).  So he's getting pretty spoiled to being indoors.  Little does he know, he will soon have a job to do.  He was acquired solely for the purpose of mice-catching.  Don't let me down, James.

He ventures outside occasionally, when we are out there to ward off any hawks, owls, coyotes or mountain lions.  Today, as soon as he stepped out the door, he made a b-line for the tree.  And what a good little climber he is!

Can you see him?  He blends in so well with the tree bark.

He's very good at going UP.  But not quite sure how to come DOWN.

So he just keeps climbing...

...and climbing...

...and climbing...

James.  I'm serious.  Don't make me come up there.