Princess Brunch

Princess Hayden and Princess Madison had a royal ball at the Princess Brunch we recently attended. They first noticed the treats and party favors upon walking in!

Before the princesses arrived the glamorous dessert table caught their attention.

The girls were anxious to see the princesses and kept looking around while they dined asking when they would arrive. Madison ate a few of her favorites: pancakes and macaroni and cheese! Soon, Cinderella was on the scene. Here's Madison and their friend Ryann asking her all about her slippers, castle and gown!

Madison and her favorite princess Cinderella.

Hayden was surprisingly a little bashful once she spotted her royal favorites, but she soon warmed up and spent some time talking to her #1 princess, Aurora.

Ryann and Madison posing with Rapunzel. My girls inquired as to why her hair wasn't long and dragging on the ground and they were satisfied with my response that it was because it was up in a braid like in the movie. Phew, good save Mom!

Rapunzel is also very popular in our home. Hayden chose to wear her Rapunzel gown and when I asked her at home if she wanted me to braid her hair she declined. But as soon as she saw Rapunzel, she asked that quickly put a braid in her hair to match. Here are Madison and Hayden getting their hands painted.

Madison with Grandma's favorite princess, Snow White!

Madison and Hayden received the royal treatment and loved every minute of their special morning. Upon walking out, Madison hurried back to Cinderella to ask her where her Prince was. Cinderella told her he was at home in their castle and with that all of her curiosities had been cured, at least for the day.

Future Olympians?

Our family really got into the Olympics this year and the kids loved being a part of the action. They had made these torches at gymnastics camp and were excited to help light this year's Olympic flame!

We had some friends over for dinner and for dessert, in honor the kids decorated their very own flags.

Even Daddy got in on the action!

Keith and Payson built an Olympic arena out of Legos and Payson added the spectators!

I have memories of watching rhythmic gymnastics as a child and now my kids get in on the action with their own hoops and streamers! They did this for over half an hour - it was quite entertaining to watch!

August also brought us the circus...again. Madison LOVES the circus and talks about it constantly so even though we were just attended the Shrine Circus last March, we took them to the Barnum & Bailey Circus. The tigers are always a big hit but this year they were old enough to enjoy and really take in a lot of the acts. And of course the cannon is Payson's favorite part!

Our friend Spencer had a really fun birthday party at a science lab and before they got to their experiments, the kids got to hold a real snake. This is about as close as Payson got. He let the girls do all of the holding!

Madison was brave but she didn't move an inch while she held him.

Pops and Nunie joined us for a summer swim and to see the kids show off their new swimming skills!

That reminds me that I haven't posted their swim videos yet. Back in late June the kids kicked up their swimming skills with the help of a wonderful swim instructor. We were hoping to take three swimmers on our trip to Florida and we did! Here's Madison, Hayden and Payson in action!
(Play video below)

At the end of the summer we took a week of tennis lessons, a first for each of the kids. They had a great time and we will definitely be getting them out on the tennis courts more.

The fun activities were even more fun with their good friends Reese and Shawn.

Future Sooner scholarships? Future tennis champs? We shall see!

Celebrating Firsts and Farewells

Topping off our summer travels, we went to Tulsa to help our only nephew, Marshall, celebrate his first birthday! Every grandparent, aunt, uncle and cousin was there to help him celebrate!

The new truck we gave him was a big hit and he played and even ate while sitting in it all weekend long! He would have slept in his car like his GP Rick if he could have!

The three 4-year-old princesses dined in style.

While the dudes, I mean dads, hung out and caught some of the Olympic action on TV.

Back at home we had a farewell party for Charles just before he moved to Atlanta. He will be missed but we know he will visit often!

The three littlest Bucheks and three littlest Melkers had fun playing and exploring outside together all evening.

Good friends, good times.

Love these guys!

Next up was David Dixon and Jackie's wedding. The kids were delighted to be able to attend their first wedding reception and Hayden was obsessed with her beautiful gown!

Weddings are a happy occasion already but add my best friends to the evening and I am one happy girl!

The Frontiers of Flight Museum was the PERFECT location for Captain Dixon (a Cobra helicopter pilot) and Jackie to hold their reception. Lane and the kids did their best Top Gun impressions...

 ... while Andrew helped them make paper airplanes.

Keith so kindly took the kids home for bed while I stayed and hung out with my friends a few hours longer. And I got lots of girl time with my friends Morgan, Christie and, not pictured, Amanda, Shelley and Kelly!