Luke's Liberty Fest Parade Experience

This was Luke's 1st time to walk with the Boy Scouts in the 4th of July Parade. He was very excited about it and the day lived up to his expectations. The morning was overcast and not too hot. Luke was the only member of his Den there, but he represented them well. He walked near a family friend who is a leader/member of a different Pack.
Luke found a good friend at the end. They were both sweaty from holding up the flag, but happy to have participated. Here is a bit of the parade. Enjoy!

Akin Friday Night in the BIg Town

First off - Luke got his glasses this day. He was so excited! It was 2 days in between the Dr appointment to get his eyes tested & receiving his glasses. He asked about them constantly for the 2 days. He woke up in the mornings asking if the glasses store had called over night. So when we were able to go pick them up before going downtown for the afternoon/evening - He couldn't have been happier! He put them on and exclaimed "WOW! So this is what I have been missing! This is how I am supposed to see!" That was followed by reading store, restaurant and street signs the rest of the way to the city. So now he can see well and looks very hansom in his glasses to boot!

So we expored the south-Mexican side of OKC after picking up JB from work. We went to a grocery store, El Mariachi Super Mercado, and it was like being in Mexico - well sorta - not like a boarder town or anything - or even like in Juarez city area, really. They just had great and unique produce, real Mexican dairy and spices. I was happy! I was wishing that there was one just like it with the same prieces nearer to me! I would only shop there. (almost)
And - oh by the way - if you normally watch channel 30 here in OKC (Telemundo channel, I think) The Newsman & camera guy were there getting "Hi whoever" shots & filmed Raven & Luke. Random, I know.
We spend a few hours climbing at Rocktown before the Thunder game. We all did better this time. We all climbed or attempted to climb the "chimney".
At the game, Luke was thrilled to be able to see the score board! Normally he had to ask for the score - this time he was able to keep up. He has always had fun at the games, but I think this was the best one yet for him! Again, we had really good seats (Thank You, SandRidge!).
We had a fun AkinAdventure Family Night - Life is good :)

it's official

I have a family of monkeys! Luke's taken to climbing like walking. I guess it's in his blood. Raven has the most confidence in the bouldering room. I guess it is the padded floor? She's not trusting the ropes yet.
Even on a day that's about 60 degrees - the inside of the climbing gym is cold. Albeit this was the week that didn't get above freezing for 4 days.

FJ Sleddin'

Luke

Raven & the husky Dakota that likes to come "visit" Jake

JB (notice the lack of gloves)

Matt (our friend, almost neighbor and JB's co-worker)

Elvis FJ Sleddin

Here's me in the Elvis Glasses

Raven & Luke in the Elvis Glasses

Luke Crashing! On some of his crashes Luke did "the turtle" where he was on his back on the sled but didn't let go right away.

fast freezin'

Matt about to take a big fall, I mean a big crash, right into a ditch. After that, JB & I were pretty sure that Trisha may not let Matt come play with us any more :)

Luke's last run. Faces were freezing, toes & fingers were getting numb. Good times.

Matt pulling JB - fast

Ice Day

The kids bundled up and enjoyed the slipping and sliding and freezing.
Oh and the bouncing. Breaking the ice was too much fun!
They used bamboo sticks to write on the pool.

Pinewood Derby Day

Luke's Den is a great group of boys. They all had fast cars, but Robby was the big winner of the Wolves.

Luke's "Cheese Wagon" won the Best Food Car. There were a number of different categories that they awarded.
Luke was very proud of his & dad's work on the cars. They learned a lot for next years derby. Everyone was impressed with the Wii remote and liked the idea and story of the Cheese Wagon.
I think that is the wheel lubricant powder on his face? who knows.

Pinewood Derby Weigh-in Night

The Wii remote car was a big hit, albeit slow. So Luke & JB decided to enter the "big cheese" into the race.
The selection of cars that the Pack entered were cool.
Here's Luke at the moment of no-return. Once he handed over the car to race, that's it. After the trial runs and the Wii remote not finishing a time or 2, the choice to enter "Cheese Wagon" was clear. Many folks thought that the reasoning for the cheese was some relation to liking the Packers, which really couldn't be further from true. Really it refers to a bus, you know "the Cheese Wagon" :)

Santa Cookies by Raven & Luke

Since we spent Christmas eve in Frederick with Meme & Papa, we had to make more cookies for Santa, of course. Raven and Luke had mailed a few letters detailing their wishes prior to knowing that we would not be home for Christmas. Raven took care of the duty of notifying Santa that we would not be home, but if it would not be too much trouble, he could bring their presents to their "Meme & Papa's house in Frederick, OK, Tillman County". He obliged. :)

Luke & Papa make a bird house

As a part of one of Luke's Boy Scout Wolf Cub Achievements, Papa helped Luke make a bird house over Thanksgiving break. Luke's den voted on bird house plans, and this one won - so the den will be making this one after the 1st of the year. Luke is very proud of it :)

Kid's Programs 2008

Raven's 3rd grade program was about Oklahoma, featuring such songs as "Don't lay that Trash on Oklahoma" and "Rhinestone Cowboy". They did a really nice job, and I think Raven did not stop smiling on stage.
Luke's 2nd grade program was the Christmas program. The song the boy's in his class danced to was "We need a Little Christmas". They did a good job and all had fun!
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Quartz Mtn Saturday

While JB & Ben rock climbed with ropes, Raven, Luke & I hiked up Quartz Mtn. It was a great hike and a good combo of hiking trails, bolder hopping and navigating around while off the trail. The kids were great! Luke found this little alcove that the kids took a brief rest in - and it was a nice view from there, it took a bit of coaxing to get Raven to make the rest of the trek up the mtn. We had a snack at the top then headed back down.
Another day of wonderful fall weather.
The Quartz mountain area was teaming with people, as was the Wichita Mtns, for Fall Break. We (me & the kids) were fortunate enough to not run into too many on our hike, the dad's not so lucky :)