OSU Grand Parent University

Turner and I went to Grandparent University this week at Stillwater. Turner enrolled in the Fire Protection major at Oklahoma State University GPU. A required course was geology which was very interesting. We learned how to "read" rocks.

At the fire lab, he got to try on all of the fireman equipment. We also learned about sprinkler systems and how they work. We watched a fire start in a lab trailer and then saw how quickly a sprinkler system can put the fire out. Turner got to keep the sprinkler head after it did it's job. They are not any good after they spray.
Rolling the fire hose up after the drenching. It was difficult to keep it straight.
After the canon shoot (see below) the kids played in the back end of the water hose. It was very hot out (I didn't want to know exactly but I would guess 100 with heat index of about 110) That is Turner on the right in the brown shirt.
The class all got to try on the outfits and some were a bit too small. Turners pants and boots fit pretty well.
The 1950 Fire truck from OSU. It is being repaired right now and restored, but it continues to be used in the Homecoming Parade each year. OUR CLASS of Fire Protectors/ legacies and grandparents.
Turner got to help turn the hydrant off and on for the shoot.
The kids each got to shoot the "canon". Couldn't water the grass or the van, because the water is so powerful it would dig a hole in the ground or blast out the windows on the van that was in the parking lot. One little guy got awful close to the van windows.

At the Tail Gate party, Turner got to meet Andre Sexton and get his autograph. Turner was so excited. We got to meet the football team, girls basketball team and some of the cheerleaders and pom girls.

Turner was also excited to have Pistol Pete sign his shirt. What a night!

On Friday morning, we toured the stadium as part of the class- to inspect the water sprinkler system (of course), but we had difficulty finding any sprinklers on the field so we had to go underground.
The locker room showers......Turner needed one after this tour, it was hot.
The boys lounge on the couch in front of one of the many rows of "cherry lockers with leather seats and a drawer under neath, with humidity and air flow in each locker to dispel any "smell"......
In front of Hunter's locker

The actual locker room is quite different than I expected. The wood is cherry, the carpet is plush and the couches and pillows are of course, orange and black. In many places the OSU logo is in the ceiling. I will try to post more pictures later.
Each player has a section of space for their equipment, separate from the "locker" room. This is "Thomas's" stuff. This room has rows of storage cabinets that roll on rollers to open up, they are open to each other, and store shoes, equipment, towels, t shirts and lots of other things that we didn't see. There were many boxes that had not been unpacked yet. The University has only been in the area for two weeks. We found some shoes in the bottom drawers of the locker room so I am thinking the players are using the rooms now.

Under ground we found the jersey room. These are the new jersey's for the fall 09 season.


And Coach Mike Gundy's locker. Turner is sitting on his seat! I don't know that Mike has done that yet!

The equipment workout room. We were not allowed to touch anything because it had all been sanitized already.
Isabel is learning to eat cereal. Maybe one of these days it will go down her throat. Tee-hee. I just had to put a picture of her in....

It has been a while since I last posted, I think. I spent 10 days at Amy's house after Isabel was born, came home and a week later, Isabel, JT and Amy came to stay with us for a few days. JT is feeling quite grown up now and does not want to sit in the high chair. Who can blame him, now that he is a big brother! Of course we would not consider putting Isabel down!


He also enjoyed helping me make some French toast for breakfast. He is a good cook! Almost as good as Parker. With a little more practice, I may not be able to tell the difference.


This last weekend, we traveled to Tulsa and Isabel was baptized. She wore the same baptismal dress that has been worn in my family for 6 generations. In fact all of us in the picture, except Ralph were baptized in the dress. Amy worried that Isabel would gain too much weight to be able to wear it. She and Amanda (and Allen too) were all well over 10 pounds when they were baptized so I wasn't concerned at all. It fit her perfectly. More importunately she was baptized and now is a part of the family of God. I was blessed to be able to assist with the baptism.



Afterwards, Allen gets some neice and nephew time with the boys and Isabel. Turner and Parker love JT and I know they will have a fun time with Isabel too. Allen looks like he has it down, after 7 babies, I think he is getting to be pretty comfortable holding the little ones.



And of course Parker is JT's keeper. A baby taking care of a baby- no offence Parker. :)





Amanda and Isabel enjoy a squeeze and pink together.


And Grandpa and Isabel have some tummy time. She looks so much like Amy.

And now it is spring break and Parker, Turner and Amanda are here for a few days. More pictures to follow.

Our New Granddaughter

Miss Isabel Rothrock come into this life on her Great Grandmothers' birthday, whom she was named after. We were able to get to Tulsa before she came. In fact, Amy and Jim were moving into their new remodeled old home on Wed. when Amy called to say that she had been to the Dr. and was in labor. We got to Tulsa at 10:45 PM and took Amy to the hospital at 12:30 am. We didn't have to wait very long till she made her first big entrance.



Our first picture of our new granddaughter Isabel Marie Rothrock.
She was born on Jan. 15, 2009 at 3:45 am. She weighed in at 7lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 3/4 inches long. We think she came with the pink bow.


JT is resting on the fireplace of his new house.

Amy and Isabel are dressed up (on her 5th day of life) to go to her grandpa Rothrocks 60th birthday party.



Dressing to go home, Isabel is quite content.


Uncle Allen gets to know Isabel. A fine father in training!


JT helps to get Isabel ready to leave the hospital. He doesn't know quite what to think yet. He has petted and kissed but hasn't poked or hit yet.


Parker, Turner and Nathan all take a turn holding their new cousin.





Soon after Amy and Isabel got home from the hospital, JT decided to "hold" Isabel.

Isabel gets her first baby bath. I just couldn't help cuddling her bare. She is so tiny.

The picture below is of JT working the cans. While we were busy doing something else, he decided to build a tower. I was pretty darn impressed that he managed to get it as high as he did before it fell.



JT loves Isabel. He kisses and pets her all the time. He only gets upset when Grandpa goes from him to the baby.


This is Amy's new kitchen. The oven and micro wave is around the corner on the left (you can kind of see the door). The sink in on the counter and storage is on the left and right sides of the arch and fridge. Very nice granite counters.

This was part of her second bath.


JT, Isabel and Amy came to stay with us for a few days this week. They spent a little time bonding on the living room floor. She is 2 1/2 weeks old in this picture.

We would love to believe that Isabel really reached for Grandpa's moustache but I think she just was flailing and I sort of caught it on the camera. Of course she is way ahead of other children her age! :)

This is Isabel and Grandmom at the end of 10 days. As always, no makeup and a bit tired but oh so content (Isabel of course).
No trip to Altus is complete without a meal at Roberts. Grandpa and JT are paying the bill for the two corndogs that JT scarfed down for lunch. Aren't they sweet?

Our Newest Grandchild

We have a new baby girl grand daughter.
Isabel Marie Rothrock was born on Jan. 15 at 3:45 (ish) am. I was never really sure of the exact time. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 6 oz. and was 19 3/4 inches long. She is beautiful and seems to have a very laid back disposition.
I have tried twice to load pictures tonight, but the computer connection keeps cutting off. It could be because of the ice storm that is traveling through. I will try again tomorrow to post some pictures.

A Bit of Christmas & and other projects

Hi it's me again. I lied. I did take a few pictures at Christmas. This is Turner and Nathan looking for the "pickle" on the Christmas tree. The tree managed to withstand the onslaught, (see previous post) so I guess the new tree stand did it's work. The winner gets a basket of goodies thanks to Lori for providing each year. It won't be long before Landon, JT and maybe Sam & Gwen can be in on it.


Our niece Lori came from South Texas for Christmas and Nathan enjoyed playing with Landon. Nathan has always loved babies. Parker was content to sit in Amanda's lap.





This Ralph supervising Nathan while Nathan cuts down a low branch off of the pecan tree. That cost us too. When Nathan found out that Turner and Parker had each earned $$, he wanted some too. It was fun putting them to work and then taking them all shopping for their Christmas presents. Amy was home for thanksgiving and she helped me with taking them shopping. She has lots of good ideas. I tend to stick to the tried and true and don't think much out of the box.

JT also played well with the boys. It was parallel play, but he so enjoyed being with them.


JT came and stayed with us for 5 days before Christmas. Amy was working on getting packed and ready to move into their new (for them) home. Parker and Turner stayed several days before Thanksgiving and Nathan stayed a few days after Thanksgiving. They are all getting so big. Of course we are on BABY watch now. Isabel should be joining us in a few weeks. We are all so excited and anxious to meet and hold her.

Yesterday Allen and Ralph helped me redo the girls room. It had pink and white stripped paper from the 70's. Ralph gave me a new set of bedding and Johnny helped me pick colors. I love the new look. I think that is a glare under the window, but I haven't finished my touch up painting yet. Just need to figure out how to finish off the windows and hang some things on the walls. Any suggestions?





We have enjoyed having Allen home for a few weeks. I tend to keep him pretty busy when he is here. He will graduate in May and this may be the last time we have a "break" together. I am so excited for him and look forward to beginning his new life as a 'grown up' with a job.

This is it for my post today.