The OK Trip, Part 1: The Ferris Wheel
We returned from a three-week trip to Oklahoma on August 8, and I've finally got a free moment to begin to write about our visit. I've decided to write one post for each week we were there. Here's what our first week looked like.
Every time we make the trip to OK and back, we like to drive a bit of a different route and take a day to explore a new city. This time, on the way to OK, it was Cincinnati. We actually did most of our exploring across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in Newport, Kentucky, which had beautiful views of downtown Cincinnati and a fun entertainment area where we ate and wandered around.
Our first week in OK can be summed up in two words: family and swimming. Harvey's parents have a lovely, shaded pool, and the kids spend all day out there if we let them. The first day we were back we swam with Harvey's aunt and cousins and got to meet his cousin's baby girl for the first time. Later on we swam with Harvey's sister and her boys. My kids have never had swimming lessons; they've all learned to swim in that pool.*
Just before we left DC, Harvey's cousin Annie and her daughter Ellie, who is Judah's age, came to DC to visit. We were eager to spend more time with them when we got to OK. So soon after we arrived, we took a little morning road trip with Annie and Ellie to Hurts Donut in Norman. The donut flavors are unconventional: key lime pie, cotton candy, Cookie Monster. All delicious.
Then on the way back to the city, Annie took us to the new-to-OKC vintage ferris wheel in the Wheeler District. As we approached the ticket booth, we were told that the computer was down, so they could not accept our credit cards. We told them we didn't have cash, so they gave us a free ride! Whee!
We ended week 1 with our traditional Sparks family meal at Shogun for Harvey's mom's birthday. When I started going to Shogun with the family when Harvey and I were dating, there were usually six of us (including his sister Summer and her date). Now twenty-two years later, with two families of six plus Harvey's parents, we can no longer fit around one hibachi table.
The highlight of week 1 for me was the ferris wheel; there's nothing like that ride. To approach the wheel eagerly, to be lifted high in the air, to look out at the top and see for miles, to sit back and enjoy the gentle movement, to hope every circle won't be the last. Really it's a picture of our visit home. We anticipate it with excitement; we relax and savor every moment with our family and our friends; we hate to see it come to an end; but eventually, we have to get off and step back on the ground. Thankfully week 1 was only the first round; there would be much more fun before our Oklahoma ride was over.
*If you're wondering why Ben is not pictured in week 1, it's because he went to camp with his cousin Mason.
Every time we make the trip to OK and back, we like to drive a bit of a different route and take a day to explore a new city. This time, on the way to OK, it was Cincinnati. We actually did most of our exploring across the Ohio River from Cincinnati in Newport, Kentucky, which had beautiful views of downtown Cincinnati and a fun entertainment area where we ate and wandered around.
Our first week in OK can be summed up in two words: family and swimming. Harvey's parents have a lovely, shaded pool, and the kids spend all day out there if we let them. The first day we were back we swam with Harvey's aunt and cousins and got to meet his cousin's baby girl for the first time. Later on we swam with Harvey's sister and her boys. My kids have never had swimming lessons; they've all learned to swim in that pool.*
Just before we left DC, Harvey's cousin Annie and her daughter Ellie, who is Judah's age, came to DC to visit. We were eager to spend more time with them when we got to OK. So soon after we arrived, we took a little morning road trip with Annie and Ellie to Hurts Donut in Norman. The donut flavors are unconventional: key lime pie, cotton candy, Cookie Monster. All delicious.
Then on the way back to the city, Annie took us to the new-to-OKC vintage ferris wheel in the Wheeler District. As we approached the ticket booth, we were told that the computer was down, so they could not accept our credit cards. We told them we didn't have cash, so they gave us a free ride! Whee!
We ended week 1 with our traditional Sparks family meal at Shogun for Harvey's mom's birthday. When I started going to Shogun with the family when Harvey and I were dating, there were usually six of us (including his sister Summer and her date). Now twenty-two years later, with two families of six plus Harvey's parents, we can no longer fit around one hibachi table.
The highlight of week 1 for me was the ferris wheel; there's nothing like that ride. To approach the wheel eagerly, to be lifted high in the air, to look out at the top and see for miles, to sit back and enjoy the gentle movement, to hope every circle won't be the last. Really it's a picture of our visit home. We anticipate it with excitement; we relax and savor every moment with our family and our friends; we hate to see it come to an end; but eventually, we have to get off and step back on the ground. Thankfully week 1 was only the first round; there would be much more fun before our Oklahoma ride was over.
*If you're wondering why Ben is not pictured in week 1, it's because he went to camp with his cousin Mason.
Great post, Jenifer. Love reading it. Glad I've found your blog and am friends with you on Facebook.
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