4TH OF JULY, A VISIT TO THE ZOO, A BIRTHDAY, AND COUSINS

We had a great 4th of July! We had a parade at church for all our children. They decorated their bikes, cars, strollers, and golf carts in red, white, and blue. We decided to decorate the girl's Barbie car. Avery loved driving in the parade around the church and got several laughs. If any of you have this car you know it doesn't have breaks. When you take your foot of the gas petal it just screeches to a stop. So anytime Avery needed to slow down during the parade she came to a screeching halt, causing many people to chuckle and question her driving abilities. Neither of the girls have whiplash. I suppose their bodies are used to it. After the parade we headed inside the church for a delicious meal together, followed by Bible class. After Bible class we went to the Pryor's house to shoot off fireworks. When we first got there Avery was terrified of them. She kept saying she wanted to go home. Kathy Pryor was kind enough to take Avery, Abby, and their friend Grace in her house so they could play and feel safe. To tell you the truth, I was a little nervous sitting only 35 yards or so from where they were shooting them, but I did survive.

Avery in her 4th of July dress. Thanks again, Nana!

The girls preparing to start the parade in their decorated car.

Some of their pals getting excited about the parade.

The Sunday after the 4th of July we left for another week of camp. This time we took our middle schoolers to Camp Cornerstone on the campus of Oklahoma Christian. Wes was especially busy this week as he is one of two directors for this camp that had about 320 campers this year. I enjoyed going to classes, worship and other activities with our teens, thanks to some child care provided for the youth minister's children. The girls joined me for some of the afternoon activities with our teens. I got to lead a devo under the stars outside for all the girls at camp one night. I have done this before, but I still got a little nervous. It does help that it is dark outside, so I don't feel all their eyes on me. Is that weird?

The girls enjoyed being with the other minister's children and we even went on an outing to the Oklahoma City Zoo with some friends of ours, Heather (Teague) McCulley and her son Caleb. The girls had a ball seeing all the animals, riding the train, and playing on the playground. The weather was great. It was overcast and cool most of the time we were there which made it even more pleasant.

Avery wanted to get a picture on almost every statue at the zoo.

"ALL ABOARD! CHOO CHOO!" Abby said this many times.

Swinging at the playground.
We finally had to tell them we were really at the zoo to see the animals.


Caleb was such a good sport about getting on all the statues with Avery.

We watched these two playful grizzly bears for a long time.

This bear was napping right next to the glass allowing us a close view.

After we got from camp we celebrated my Dad's birthday with Aaron, Janet, and Mylen. We went to a catfish and sea food restaurant in town that Dad picked out and then we hung out at our house and ate some yummy cake that Janet made since we had just gotten back from camp. Avery was a little confused about why we weren't having a party for Grandpa. She just assumes everyone has a party on their birthday. It sure has been nice having Dad here in town close to us.

We adore being with our cousin Mylen!
(He looks so much like Aaron, doesn't he?)

We told them to make a silly face. I think Avery wins the prize!