1st Grade Field Trip/Taron's Graduation

The first weekend of May was Taron's college graduation. I had planned to take a half of a day off and head up early, but as luck would have it Macie's field trip landed on the same day. And there was no way I was making her miss her field trip. So I went to work and Josh volunteered to attend Macie's field trip. I think that it being a tour of the Ranger's stadium had something to do with his willingness to volunteer! ha! Well that, and the fact that he's a great Daddy!
I think the pictures speak for themselves and prove that they had a great time!

Such sweet friends

She was so excited about the indoor playground that her teacher had told her about!

Goodness I love these two!

So as soon as school was out and I made it home, we loaded up the car and the girls and I were north bound to El Reno!

No road trip is complete without a selfie!!

And before I could even make it to Oklahoma, I was getting pictures like this!

My cousins are so mean!!! But it did motivate me to drive a little faster!
However, I realized as soon as I got there that my efforts to beat them to the pie were useless. Those pies were still intact when I walked in, and somehow intact when we went to bed that night! As it turns out- my cousins aren't the meanest ones......our Mimi is!!!! She wouldn't let us eat the pies! She "claimed" they were for Taron's graduation party the next day. But I really think she was just testing our self control. And as much as we pretend that she doesn't scare us... she kinda does! So we behaved so as not to cause a scene with so many people around, and stayed out of the pie. Hardest. Job. Ever!
We did enjoy a fun evening of visiting with family and just being together. I was so sad that Dad and Kathy couldn't make it due to him being sent out of town for work. But we soaked up every minute of family time with those that were there that we could.
The next morning was Taron's graduation! We were all up and dressed early to head over to Weatherford Oklahoma. We got there WAY early, which wasn't fun for her two youngest fans. (Thank you Lord for IPads!), but as we watched the stands fill and eventually overflow- we were so glad we did arrive early and get seats!
And eventually we got a glimpse of our Taron and her cow print hat!!

She had so many people there that day that loved and supported her.

Mimi, Taron, Grammy, and Grandy- Proud grandparents!

BEST sign ever!!! 

Taron's fan club!

Proud parents! And they have every right to be! She is an amazing young lady with morals, manners, and personality. Things you don't see in most people her age.

After the ceremony, we all migrated back to Mimi's house to start preparing for the big party that night. Everyone pitched in and the prep was no big deal at all. However, Bit and her great nieces disappeared for well over an hour to just go get candy for the piñata.... I hear there was a trip to Braums and TWO trips to Walmart involved....
Taron set up the cheese fountain! Yes- I said CHEESE fountain!

Her Grammy had a chocolate fountain that we added queso to and turned it into a cheese fountain! What more could you want in life than to have endless amounts of cheese dripping from a fountain?? Nothing in Taron's opinion! 

Grayson was more than willing to help "oversee" the cheese operation. I think he had alternative motives...

She had many friends and family come over and join us in celebration. We ate a ton of Mexican food, visited, laughed, watched the "kids" play outside, and FINALLY got to eat cherry pie!!!

My Uncle Byron- Gosh I love him!!

Me, Alisa, Kimberly, and my beautiful Aunt Susan!

If only these two loved their Aunt Bit.....

Mimi has gotten pretty good at selfies.

Oh Taron, If only there were adequate words to tell you what you mean to me. You have the best heart and personality. You are wise beyond your years. I am blessed to call you my cousin. You are going to do great things in life!

Mimi FINALLY let us in the Cherry Pie!!! And you better believe that we sent a picture to Dad!

Taron and I have taught him well.

What's a party without a piñata??

The piñata audience

I brought some outside toys for my girls to play with while we were there, but I think the big kids had just as much fun with them!

Next time we are going to get this crowd involved in the Velcro tennis ball game! 

Uncle Byron will always be one of the biggest kids I know.

After all of the food had been either eaten or stored, and the dishes done, and the cheese fountain cleaned (holy mess Batman!), we all ended up in the living room. Just visiting and enjoying each other. And possibly recovering from the day that was non stop activity!
I love these people! And I love to just sit and listen to all of the conversations that take place when we are together. It warm my heart in ways I can't describe.

I'm not sure I've ever seen a Mama and daughter duo that were as close as my Mama and I were....other than these two. I love watching their relationship and interaction. It reminds me so much of my Mama. And even though those memories sometimes leave me longing for her and that relationship again....it also makes me super happy to witness. Because I know that they will treasure their closeness for many years to come. And it gives me something to look forward to with my own girls. 

Soon everyone left and went to their respective houses. Mimi, the girls, Aunt Bonnie, and I settled in for the night. We were all exhausted!!
The next morning I got some of my favorite time in... coffee time.

Just me an my Mimi. The girls had their breakfast and quickly went back to the bedroom to chill out before church. But I lingered as long as possible over my coffee and my Mimi. And of course my CHERRY PIE!!!

It was a great weekend of soaking up family time. It was too short, but I've never seen a trip full of family that wasn't too short. We have learned to make the best of the time we are given. And I treasure all of the memories that were made.