Thanksgiving in OK

We had the best Thanksgiving in Oklahoma with Brad and Kirsten and their family! We flew in and out with Grandma and Grandpa, and the Blaylock resort shuttle picked us up right on time. The kids had a table set up for us to check in, Matthew and I were first time guests so not quite elite status yet. We had room keys, folders full of resort maps, breakfast and meal times, nearby attraction lists, everything created by them. It was amazing and so fun! They made us feel like royalty. When we left, we gave them a 5 star review - of course! 

The classic DIA bridge walk. 

Dad, Jay, Mom, Hugh

Grandpa, Hugh, and Grandma on the return flight

Riding in the airport shuttle 

The Welcome Table, Grandma, Claire, and Katelynn

Thanksgiving, the main reason for the trip was awesome! The food was spectacular, and I made 7 layer pie, sweet potatoes, and corn casserole. Those three dishes made it feel like a complete meal for me. Really everything was delicious and it was such a blessing to be with family. 

Daniel and Jay at the kid table, they did really good and ate most meals here together.

The only thing Jay loves more than cleaning is helping Grandpa clean! 

Per Blaylock tradition, the men did the dishes and cleaned up dinner. 

Cutie Hugh thought dinner was yummy, he'll be a Thanksgiving veteran next year.

Dad, Jay, Mom, and Hugh

7 Layer pie, yummy! The GF crust turned out super well. 

Every evening we stayed up late talking about all sorts of things, and got up early every morning with Jay and Hugh. Madeline and Hugh became pretty good buddies. They played around each other so well, never really bothering one another and always following to see what the other was doing. I loved watching them interact, and they sounded so similar we were always wondering which one was making what sounds from where. Hugh gives a lot better snuggles than Madeline, so the kids loved holding him and he took it all in stride. 

Kirsten, Hugh, and Madeline

Madeline and Hugh

Madeline and Hugh

Hugh loving the rocking horse

Hugh, 10 months! Such a happy, loving little guy.

Jay circulated through the cousins, but by the end of the trip he knew everyone's name and Elisse and Daniel were probably his favorite. Elisse always knew when Jay needed a buddy and would go upstairs and play with him. She often called him, "little mister" - which made us all giggle. She shared her ice cream cone with him, and usually always joined him at the little kid table during meals. All the kids were extremely patient with Jay, and let him join in the fun whenever possible. There were more toys than Jay ever thought could be in one place. He loved the cozy coop and wanted to drive it on all the walks we went on. 

Jay wanting Grandpa to leave the game and come play, and Kyle

Jay, Katelynn, Kirsten

Elisse and Jay

We got a tour of OU, it was awesome to see where Brad worked and to see the campus. It was beautiful, with a lot of fun old looking buildings. We had to chase Jay all around the campus, but luckily we left Hugh at home napping which made it a little easier. 

Kyle, Brad, Kirsten, Grandpa, Jay, Grandma, Elisse, and Dad

Jay and Elisse

Jay and Elisse

Brad smoked lots of different meats while we were there, including the turkey for Thanksgiving. It was very yummy, all of it moist and delicious! Most evenings Nathan or Matthew would help Brad with his meat prep. 

Matthew had to work the Monday after Thanksgiving and most of the kids returned to school, so we went with Kirsten, Daniel, Madeline, Grandma, and Grandpa to the Oklahoma City Children's Science Museum. We had an awesome time! Grandpa helped me chase around Jay, or pushed Hugh in the stroller when I went after Jay. There was so much to explore, we didn't even see everything. Jay loved the playground area, where you could climb up and choose various slides to descend. 

Jay operating one of the horses. 

Grandpa and Jay

Hugh in the baby area

Kirsten, Daniel, Madeline, Jay, Grandpa, and Hugh - all looking at the trains

Jay and Daniel - buckling up for a flight

Daniel and Jay - I'm not sure who the pilot is, but they loved it.

Madeline, Daniel, Jay, and Hugh

Sports were a big part of our visit. Kyle and Trevor wanted to play Matthew and Nathan in a Turkey bowl, but they ended up just playing together which worked out much better for everyone. We played Tennis one day, Matthew and I beat Nathan and Olivia. Jay loved playing on the trampoline with anyone he could convince to go. We went on a walk almost every day, which was such a great way to get moving even when it was quite cold! We did not get the warm weather we were hoping for, but enjoyed the outdoors anyways! We loved checking out a couple local parks, and it was so sweet to see the kids all play together there. 

Katelynn (on top), Daniel, Jay

Jay

Everyone thought it was sooooo fun to go through Matthew's legs on the slide.

Claire and Katelynn soon copied and asked Matthew to go down. 

Claire helping Jay climb in

Aunt Michela and Jay

Daniel and Jay

Claire, Katelynn, Jay and Uncle Nathan

Hugh and Claire

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Uncle Nathan helping Jay zipline

Matthew and most of the cousins, Grandpa, and Boppa (Kirsten's dad) went to the BYU vs. Oklahoma State game. It was a great game, even went to OT, but we lost. There was a slow drizzle all day long, so everyone came home wet and frozen. Matthew thought it was totally worth it, while some others didn't think quite the same. 

Boppa and Cara were adopted grandparents for Jay and Hugh. Jay really loved them, and let Boppa adjust him and then wanted everyone else to have a turn. I was very grateful for the adjustments, we all needed them.

We made a couple trips to the local ice cream shop, called Braum's. It was delicious soft serve, and we even got a treat before driving through Christmas lights. Elisse was very sweet and let Jay have a few licks while they looked at the lights together. The lights were so fun to see! It helped me get a little more into the Christmas spirit! 

Christmas lights!

I also really appreciated how much Brad and Kirsten talked about the Gospel in their family. Brad asked a question after church that I loved, he said, "what did you learn or feel at church today?" It really made me think, and the question continues to help me consider what my focus is on Sundays and if I am approaching my church meetings seeking inspiration and learning. I know I have room for improvement! We loved our time, and we were sad when it came to a close. It's good to leave while you're still having fun, so we will definitely have to go back! Someday when the boys get older, I think they'll love their Oklahoma cousins even more than they already do and there will be tons of fun had by all!