Bastings Buzz Picture

Bastings Buzz Picture

February was Fabulous!

Playing frisbee golf in Oklahoma City
Climbing in the tree and taking a picture was completely the kids idea. Honest.
All grown up and using the big swing.Katelyn enjoyed watching all the kids playing at the park.Mikayla made a love monster at her school Valentines Party.During Austin's valentine's day party, they played a game to see who could first find the piece of bubble gum hiding in the whipped cream. Austin raced against his teacher.
Twinkies!!
Austin's school/neighborhood friends recently introduced him to Pokémon cards and were kind enough to give him some of theirs. My two brothers used to collect the same cards when they were younger which were then given to my nephew Tyler when he became interested in them. And since  Tyler wasn't really interested in them anymore he kindly sent a package of the cards in the mail. Austin waited anxiously for them to arrive and when they did it was like he had won the jackpot!! His friends came over and they excitedly went through all the cards and I heard phrases like "no way! look at this one!" They were busy examining the cards for a good hour and Austin even gave his friends a stack of cards to take home since they were so kind to him.Just because I'm cute!
The night before Kristi's wedding we stayed at a nearby hotel and spent some time playing games. 
 Count on Craig to take the initiative to invite Chris' siblings to play games also. He is always so good to make sure everyone is included. That's one of the things I love about him! 
And while the adults were playing games the kids were outside in the courtyard of the hotel playing games of their own. Somehow in February we landed beautiful 70 degree weather and the courtyard area was completely fenced in and the pool gated off so it was perfect!! The kids played hide and seek and sardines for hours.
 Cute cousins waiting outside of the temple
Barn Hill Preserve came to the school and Mikayla's class got to see several different types of animals. Mikayla chose to hold and take a picture with Joey the kangaroo.
At a special Stake Conference held at the Community Center. Elder Todd D Christofferson was visiting and spoke to us. One of the things I specifically remember was duing his talk he mentioned how he could see lots of young families out in the audience with little kids. He said he knows how hard it to juggle life and things like daily scripture study etc but to just keep trying!  Keep trying!! I gravitated to those words because that is exactly what I feel like I am doing right now. There are so many balls to juggle and some of them get dropped--and sometimes it's even the important ones that get dropped. But that doesn't mean I should give up. Just keep trying!

Then he invited all the children in the audience to come up after the closing prayer so he could shake their hands. So Austin took the opportunity and did so. I told Austin afterwards that was something very special because it doesn't happen very often that you get the chance to shake hands with an apostle of the Lord.

Trip for Two (plus a baby)

Several months ago, Craig was catching up with his long time best friend Mook on the phone and surprised him with the news that we added another child to our family. Mook responded with a surprise of his own--that he was married! And they wanted to invite us to their wedding celebration!
So we took a weekend trip with Katelyn and flew into Orlando.
Katelyn did great on her first airline flight.
The next day we drove up to Valdosta, Georgia for the wedding celebration. Right now I spend most of my time in mommy mode (aka sweatpants and ponytails) and we are busy with our kids and their needs and activities. So it was a nice change to just focus on doing something for ourselves.We were happy to have this little munchkin with us though. She was a good ice breaker since we didn't know a lot of people at the party.But it was nice to be there to celebrate the wedding of Michael (Mook) and Mackenzie.
We are happy for them.
Katelyn was great on the trip although she wasn't really a fan of the "jail" crib and didn't sleep that well. Good thing she's cute!Craig really enjoyed getting to spend some quality time with his childhood friend. We went to lunch at I-hop and then enjoyed a game of Frisbee golf. Then we headed back down to Orlando.Couldn't leave Florida without stopping to notice the palm trees.And going to see the beach was an absolute must since we don't get that opportunity often living in the middle of the United States. There is just something so simple, calming, and refreshing about being there---walking up and down the coast.Love these sweet pictures of daddy and daughter!!Beautiful beach baby!
And since it was Katelyn's first time at the beach we had to put her feet in the sand and water and let her discover it for herself.
Get ready!
Here comes the water.
I think she likes it.We had fun watching others enjoying their beach time.



It was the perfect way to end our weekend trip.Craig loves seafood (shrimp mostly) but I am really not a fan. However, it seemed only right to do the seafood thing after the beach so we did. And I got the least "fishy" thing on the menu--fried popcorn shrimp and dipped it in lots of sauce. It was a great weekend getaway!!

Marriage Is What Brings Us Together Today

On February 20th, Kristi and Chris got married in the Oklahoma City Temple.


Everyone there at the temple that day to support them.
I love that these sister-in-laws of mine are also some of my best friends!Don't drop her!
(oh wait....you almost did)











It was a beautiful morning at the temple.
And a beautiful reminder of the covenants and promises to the Lord and to each other that are made within these sacred walls.
Later that evening was the wedding reception.
It was beautifully decorated.


First dance as husband and wife




Those are some good looking boys! All 3 of them!
Katelyn enjoyed being passed around and held almost the whole night by everyone but me.


The shoe game they played was hilarious! The D.J. asked them a question like "Which one of you is a better cook?" or "Who said I love you first?" and they had to raise up a shoe (his shoe or her shoe) according to their answer hoping they both raised up the same shoe.
Daddy-daughter dance
Let the dancing begin!!
Mikayla couldn't wait to get out there and dance! She was looking forward to it all night!
And she was out there dancing the whole night to practically every song!
I was most surprised by Nathan and Derek who loved to dance too.
Unlike this boy of mine who I could hardly get out on the dance floor.
But here he is joining us for the Macarena dance.
And yes, like father like son. Craig doesn't like to dance either.
But he gave in and danced a couple songs with me.
Even Brooklyn enjoyed some dancing herself.
Can you see me?
Raise your hands if you are having fun!
It was one great wedding and celebration!
Congratulations Kristi and Chris!!!