Vacation...

We are leaving in the morning on a mini-vacation. One thing we have tried to do each year since I started teaching, was to take a family vacation. We don't usually do a lot of major travelling but we do try to just get away. This summer we are not doing as much as normal but we are fulfilling a yearly visit. Every year we get together with some good friends of ours in Texas. Many of you know them because we lived near them at Harding and even for a while lived with them. That's right, we lived with them (pre kidos). I like to refer to them as The Dawg and The Dawg's wife. Normally, they would be coming to our house since we went to see them last summer, but they are expecting in a few weeks and so we are making the trip again. Last summer we took the kids to Sea World in San Antonio. The girls loved it, this summer we are heading to Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. We are heading there because The Dawg has free tickets. Should be a fun time, if nothing else because we are leaving town and getting to spend time with dear friends. I'll keep you posted.

What vacations do you remember as a kid?

Triple A Baseball

I got to attend my second ever Triple A baseball game last night (the first being the Memphis Redbirds with my good friend Scott). Last night was a fun night because I went to Bricktown in Oklahoma City and watched the Oklahoma City Redhawks play at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.

I went with a friend of mine from church, Clint, who played a few years in the Cincinnati Reds organization. One of his friends from that time, Andrew Beattie, plays for the Albuquerque Isotopes. So Andrew got us tickets to come down and watch. Unfortunately he did not have such a great game and the Redhawks won. It was fun meeting him and we went out afterwards so he and Clint could catch up. I also got to meet another former teammate of Clint's, John Koronka. John spent all of last season pitching for the Texas Rangers but has been sent down so they can change some of his mechanics.

It was nice to be at a ballgame and nice to eat a good sports bar and grill (not Ferottos, Jim). The place was called Coach's and was filled with sports memoriabilia. Good eats overlooking the ballpark. You can see a picture from the restaurant overlooking the park. Sometimes it's nice to get away and watch some minor league baseball.

Happy Father's Day!!

I love Father's Day!! Maybe it's the fun things the kids make for me during class or bible hour at church (see picture above, it was fun watching dad's wear these around church), or the time I get to spend with my kids. Or the memories I have and remember with my dad. Whatever it is, this is a fun day.

Now, I realize this day does not get the hoopla that Mother's Day gets, and I'm fine with that because mother's are completely different breeds (in a good way).

I remember my first Father's Day. We were living in Searcy and my little girl was just a few weeks old. What a wonderful feeling that has never gotten old. In fact, I would venture to say that I am so blessed that everyday is father's day and, speaking for Wendy, mother's day.

My middle child asked me today at lunch when Kid's Day was. We got a good laugh out of that.

What do you like about Father's Day?

Mrs. Belvedere

For the last few days, the talk around Tulsa has been focused on a buried 1957 Belvedere automobile. You may have heard about this on your local or national news, but around here it has been the talk. I guess 50 years ago the citizens of Tulsa buried, in a cement vault underground, a brand new Belvedere. They wrapped it in a special covering that was to help prevent rust and help keep the vehicle in pristine condition. Well when the top came off they found water in about 1/3 of the vault. So much for protection from the elements.

Tonight we sat at Mazzio's watching the live unveiling on our local CBS affilitate. The car was not in great shape, in fact there was major rust damage. Boyd Coddington from American Hot Rod and his team where in town to help get the vehicle opened up and hopefully even get it running. Unfortunately, it will never run with the current motor. In fact, they even had a problem getting the doors opened up.

When the car was buried, the local residents included items from the day, some of which were put into a time capsule (which survived nicely). Some of the items in the car included: bottles of gasoline (24 cents a gallon), a case of Schlitz beer, a woman's purse and its contents, an unpaid parking ticket, and cans of oil. In the time capsule, there was in perfect condition an American flag with 48 stars, a city directory, a letter from Tulsa Public Schools, postcards with citizen's guesses to the population of Tulsa in 2007, an aerial photo of Tulsa in 1957, and various other Tulsa paperwork.

The purpose behind the population guesses is quite cool. The person who made the closest guess wins the car. Now if that person is no longer alive, it would go to one of their relatives.

What an exciting day!! I hope they will take the time to clean the vehicle and find out how much damage it really had over the last 50 years. You can see more photos here and Check out this short video of the background behind the buried Belvedere.

You Asked For Them...

Many of you have asked for pics of the girls. So here they are. Sometimes it is really hard to get a good picture.

We had Brecken's birthday party today and it rained the entire time at the playground. Thank goodness for pavilions. The kids had a good time though.

BACK ONLINE!!!

Well if you have missed me, here I am; however, I am sure that most of you have not even noticed my absence. Here is a quick update of our lives since my last post.

1. We are both out of school and on summer vacation.
2. Summer baseball has started and this week and next I am involved in baseball and football camps respectively.
3. Brecken turned 6!!!!!! Those of you Searcy, remember those days? I do. I was sitting in an Admissions meeting when the call came to head to the hospital. I tried to warn Dr. Carr to start with me.
4. We have moved. I will be emailing out out new address soon.
5. For 2 weeks because of the move and major internet problems, we have been without the internet at home.
6. I have not been able to check my fantasy baseball teams.
7. Our TV is quickly dying, and I mean DYING!!!!
8. I have decided to start of my Doctorate in School Administration. I was going to get another Masters in School Administration but my principal and superintendent are pushing me toward the Ed.D.

A lot has happened and I wish I could provide more information, but who cares anyway. See you later.

BTW, does anyone know how to podcast? My summer project is to learn.