Oklahoma City with the Sperry's

 We headed to Oklahoma city to meet with my college room Nicholette and her family.  Arizona had a 2nd shutdown so they packed their bags and stayed at Nicholette's dad's house in Virginia for 5 weeks.  On there way home we met up with them.  It was so fun to hang out with their family.  We were wondering how our kids would get along because they haven't spent a lot of time together.  Nicholette and I would hang out a lot when we lived in Utah, but Ashlyn was 1 and 2, then we moved to Nebraska and they moved to Arizona.  There was one time during Dental School where we met them in Kansas City where we spend a few days at Great Wolf Lodge, which was 6 or 7 years ago.  To sum it all up, our kids haven't spent a lot of time together and we were curious how they would get along.  

Before the Sperry's arrived, we got up early and went to a nature center and did some hiking.  Oh it was so beautiful and fun.  They had a lot of turtles that we could identify and the scenery was gorgeous. 

Searching and identifying the turtles

"Doesn't it remind you of Little House on the Prairie, Mom?"

I love how they can make connections to the books that we are reading as a family.

We are also really enjoying the series on Amazon Prime.  It has opened up a lot of family discussions and life lessons.  We LOVE Little House on the Prairie!

It is so beautiful- this was everyone's favorite part of the hike.

This blurry picture sums of the answer to how the kids got along!  They got a long so well we are making future plans to make another trip together.  Derek and I were so impressed with how well the kids got along and how they didn't pair up, but they seriously played with everyone.  It was so much fun!

We did a lot of swimming.

They would pretend that John was a surf board a float on him, Emmett would just jump off the edge and do belly flops over and over again, they would do flips, and then enjoy the sun.

Ate delicious food.  We braved it out and took all our kids to a local pizza shop.  It was so fun to have an adult table and all the kids at their own table.  Our "double" date was great!  

One thing that we like to do with the Sperry's (since we went to Hawaii with them) is order 4 different items and then split it up so we can try a little of everything.

Kid table

 Instead of coloring, this restaurant gives these wax sticks to mold and play with- geniuses!  They played with these all weekend long!

Ashlyn and Jack had so seriously game playing happening.

I loved watching the kids be together and laugh and talk and play.  

I just caught these girls outside doing just that.

More card games.  Slap it!

A magical moment/part of the day was when we went to the lake.  These kids played on the kayak and had a blast.  They seriously played all together.  They would play a game where they tried to stand up on the kayak while someone would try to knock them down.  So much magic and fun!

Jello Time

Spike Ball

After the Sperry's left, the house fell quiet and we all missed them so much.  We had such a great weekend with them.  Derek wanted to go to Braum's which has amazing ice cream for very cheap (win-win).  We had 6 ice cream cones (and look at the size of them) and then a brownie sundae all for $14. 

Braum's brought many memories of the mission for Derek.  

I thought Lufkin had a lot of churches, but Oklahoma City has a TON of them and they are really BIG.  When they say the Bible Belt, they really mean it. 

Sweet  dreams little one.

Derek and I are so grateful to have great friends!  It is hard to find friends where you and your spouse get along with both parties.  We always have such a great time with them! Here's to many more family trips together (we just need to talk them into getting an RV ;)