JT stayed with Grandpa on Feb. 2 while Amy, Amanda and I went to the church for the "Women's Friendship Lunch". At the luncheon, each hostess decorated her table in a different theme. I used my great grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers and my dolls along with Ralph's old marbles and several old story books and blocks and some tin tea cups that were my moms. We were able to raise $1100 for the children's safe house here in Altus. Ralph and JT managed for 6 !/2 hours without us. After the lunch we went and got our nails and toes done.


Our trip to Portland on Jan. 24 through the 29th was very relaxing. We mostly ate out and just relaxed at home. The first night was a bit cold since the furnace had gone out and there was no heat. Portland was quite cold while we were there this time (in the 30's) and there was even a bit of snow. Not enough to play in, but nice to see. We enjoyed a night out with Andy and Molly going to an exclusive restaurant where we ate for 3 and a half hours. Dinner was a ten course meal and I think we had everything you can think of to eat. Andy had rabbit, Molly had roast pig and Ralph and I had rack of Lamb for our main courses. Yummy! And we didn't even go home stuffed. Ralph and Sam got alot of practice going up and down the front steps of the house.

One day we took Sam to a place called OMSI. It is a museum that has a science play area for preschoolers. It was fabulous and Sam knew right where he wanted to go when we got there. He is working in the fishing pool. There are rubber fish and the kids put on rain coats and rubber boots so they don't get wet. There was also a wonderful sand area that they could sift sand and pour and measure. Sam didn't like the texture of the sand so he didn't stay long.
At Christmas time (I am going backwards here), Turner and Parker were playing with the stacking cups. JT kept getting in the middle of their game, so Parker built a "fort" for JT, got him a blue cup from the kitchen like they were playing with and then picked up JT and put him in his fort. JT is crawling and pulling up but not walking yet. He was content to stay in his "fort" and stand and watch the boys. We thought it was quite ingenious of Parker to think of the fort and thoughtful that he got JT his own cup. That is Turner with a sticker on his nose. I think it had to do with a computer thing he was doing. He is a computer wiz!

Betty was here for an overnight visit after Christmas. We enjoyed having she and Deryl stay with us. Lori and Keith stopped in long enough to exchange presents. (Under the wrapping paper is a boy (I can't remember which one. Maybe Nathan.)

Before Christmas, Oklahoma was hit with a terrible ice storm. I just wanted to share the bit of damage we had to the grass in our front yard. Thankfully it is the only damage anyone in our area had. OKC and Tulsa look like a tornado took off all the trees. So sad. The picture of Ralph is with all the Boys on Nov. 2. Across the back is JT, Allen, Andy and Sam and in the front Turner, Ralph, Parker and Nathan. Andy and Sam came to visit the end of Oct. into Nov. Molly was going to come and at the last minute the Dr. wouldn't let her. IT seemed there were some problems with her pregnancy and he didn't want her to travel, but Praise God, she in now back with her regular Dr. and in less than six weeks we will welcome another Van Oostrum into our growing family.


While Andy & Sam were here, we were blessed to all be able to go to an OSU ball game. It was a wonderful fun day. We ate at Hideaway pizza and walked the campus. Sam loved Bullet, the OSU horse that gallops across the field every time OSU made a touchdown. We saw him alot that day, unfortunately OSU lost the game in the last few minutes. Amy and Jimmy were not able to be with us, because Jimmy was in a centennial play at their church that day. We went the next day to see it. He did a great job.



Another group picture of all the boys outside Amanda's new house. JT had his pumpkin picture made while we were at Amanda's. She had just moved into a new house so we were all able to stay together while Andy and Sam were here. They are renting until they can build.
It has been a busy December and January. Filled with family, church and travel. Ralph continues to feel well, he had the thyroid treated again in January, so I am waiting for him to get really tired. He doesn't feel like doing a whole lot right now, but I know it will get worse before better. Hope it won't keep him down too long.
I will have more pictures after I go back and do some editing.
Things I have learned about blogs:
1. you can't edit a picture while you are working on your blog
2. If you try to save a blog before it is published you may never get into it again.
3.The pictures go in at the top not the bottom, so you better put your pictures in from last to first instead of first to last. (I think I said that right)
4. If you are as slow as I am, plan to take an hour or more to make this come together.
5. As careful as I am, I really don't know what it will look like until it is posted. :)
Love to all