Oklahoma Trip

Packing for the trip

Before going to Oklahoma

We’re back from Oklahoma! We had a GREAT time and Rosaleen is visiting machine. She did great on the plane and she was so good on all the car trips we took (many of them very long). She got to meet so many family members and she loved them all.

Grandpa Allen and Selah

Abby's Cupcakes

Ellie and Rosaleen

Sarah and Rosa

We flew into Dallas last Friday. There Grandpa Allen and Nannie Taresa picked us up and we went to visit Rosaleen’s Great Aunt Chris, her beau Bill and Aunt Chris’s grand-daughter Victoria. Rosaleen was a little tired from the long trip (3 and half hour plane ride, and one hour car ride to Aunt Chris’s house), but she loved meeting the new people and they loved meeting her too. We had a lot of fun, but couldn’t stay long. That evening we got back in the car for the two and half hour drive to Grandpa Allen’s house.

William, Wallace and Ellie making bubbles

In the morning there was no time to rest. We hit the road at about 11 am to go Aunt Joshalyn & Unlce Mike’s house. Although this was another very long drive (and we added a little scenic detour) Rosa did great. When we got to our destination we were greeted by Aunt Joshalyn and Uncle Mike, but also by Rosa’s nine cousins that were also there!!!! Rosa had a lot of people to meet, but Rosa’s mommy also got to meet one of her cousins for the first time too. Calvin Valor was born in December, so he is just two months older than Rosaleen. I am posting a picture of the two laying next to each other (so cute). We really had such a great time visiting. Not only was it wonderful to see everyone, but we had a delicious lunch and unbelievable desserts. Cousin Abby made cupcakes with yellow frosting, fondant flowers and M&M bubble bees that had tootsie roll stripes and gum drop wings! Not only were they beautiful but they were delicious. In addition to the cupcakes, Cousin Sarah made toffee. Oh yum. Rosa’s mom LOVES toffee. Rosa’s oldest cousins also gave her a quilt that they made for her. It is a beautiful quilt that is very special too. The girls hand embroidered special wishes for Rosaleen and beautifully embroidered Rosaleen’s name, birth date and birth time. I didn’t take a picture of it yet, but I will post a picture of the quilt in the next few days.

Grandpa Allen and Rosa

Hanging out at the fish fry

Nannie, Grandpa and Rosa

Rosaleen and Aunt Chris

The next day we drove just a little more to see Rosa’s Great Uncle Alvin and Great Aunt Robin’s. When we got there we found out Great Aunt Kathy was there too. We hung out there for a few hours and hand a fun time. Rosa loved to meet everyone and she did show off a little by smiling a lot and cooing, but eventually she fell asleep. After we left that house we drove to Aunt Joshalyn’s new house. It is awesome. It is a very cute house and they will make it a wonderful home. It is basically move in ready, but Aunt Joshalyn has lots of projects for Uncle Mike. We can’t wait to see the house when the projects are done.

Grandpa Allen and all his grandkids!

Finally we went back to Grandpa Allen’s house to rest a little (not much). On Monday Nannie Taresa had all her kids and grandkids over and we had a fish fry. It was very yummy and a lot of fun. It was great to meet everyone and Rosa and her mom and dad had a great time. On Tuesday Grandpa Allen and Nannie Taresa asked us what we wanted to do and we said we want to lie around! After all that visiting, we all needed some rest.

We left very early Wenesday morning to head back to the airport. On the way we stopped at Great Aunt Chris’s store and said hello. Aunt Kathy was there too. As a final farewell gift, Rosa spit up all down Aunt Chris.


I think all of the visiting has helped Rosaleen find her voice. When we got on the plane she cooed more than she ever has and today she literally will not be quiet.