Oklahoma City Jan 2011

Leon's grandson, Gunnar, had a layover in Oklahoma City for a couple days while returning to Shepherd Air Force Base from Christmas in California.  Time to go visit! He couldn't wait to get hold of his great granddaughter Amalie.  She seemed to remember him from his previous visit.

Look what I can do now, Great Grandpa, as long as mom Melissa holds me up!

I bounce and bounce and bounce!

I really like this teether you sent me for Christmas! I am cutting a few teeth.

OK, here we go! Just wait til the next time!

It was great for Gunnar to get to spend some time with his niece.

We admired sister Abbie's new haircut. She is so adorable. She is teaching Drew about Fancy Nancy.

Now right here is where my teeth are giving me fits today!

We visited the Cowboy Museum. It is a quality museum with a large collection of western paintings and sculptures, Indian artifacts, military weapons, displays of western movies, a rodeo section including much of the history of rodeos, and more. I like this end of the trail sculpture.

C'mon, Gunnar, have some fun! No, Grandpa, not for me!

While we were away Amalie practiced sitting up.

It was quite chilly while we were there. Can you tell?

We stopped by Sheplers, a huge western store we recently learned about. 

What a selection of boots. I wish I needed some.

No, Leon, you don't need those either!

Toby Keith's I Love this Bar & Grill gives free burgers to active and retired military so we took advantage. We enjoyed eating alongside the canal in Bricktown. It was a great visit with Gunnar.

Where's Leon?

While I was traipsing around in northwest Arkansas, Leon was in Oklahoma City teaching Melissa how to drive.

He got to spend a lot of quality time with his five month old great granddaughter Amalie also.

Amalie's big sister Abbie and their mom Melissa are real sweethearts and both appreciative and deserving of Leon's efforts.

Leon had flown to California to pick up a car that was being given to Melissa. He had a chance while there to visit with family and friends before driving to Oklahoma City.

After Melissa got her driver's license I drove over from Fayetteville and fetched Leon. Then we drove back to Fayetteville and spent the night in my nephew's front yard and fetched him.



Bricktown

There is no way to know what the flight patterns are when you camp near an airforce base.  We first stayed at the Moose and did not hear the planes fly over. But when we moved to the Elks' Lodge only a few blocks away we seemed to be directly underneath. But no problem, they at least stop at bedtime.

We were only ten minutes from Bricktown, so several times we visited the refurbished old industrial area.  Needless to say, most of the buildings were built with bricks.  Leon's great grandfather actually worked in a building that was where the ball field is now.

Toby Keith grew up in Moore, a suburb of OKC and his bar and grill is in Bricktown. We enjoyed stopping by.

They have built a canal through the area on what was once a street.  In the distance is Bass Pro. The city provided the land and building to get them to build in OKC.

One night we went back for a narrated ride along the canal in one of the yellow boats. We learned they are rerouting I 40 through OKC!

The Paseo district was the first shopping district north of the downtown area. There are several blocks of brightly painted stucco buildings with interesting little shops and restaurants.

We had a quick little shopping trip there before continuing to a vegan restaurant further north.

We spotted several buffalo around town although they weren't all spotted, but I guess they do still roam.

All about Amalie

Leon's first great granddaughter was born in Oklahoma City on June 3rd. Time to go meet Amalie.

Josh, Melissa, Abbie, and Amalie are one fine family. This is Amalie's first time out for breakfast.

Leon holds her just about every chance he gets.

Abbie is visiting with Paul in his new "house."

Leon's grandson Josh is taking to being a great dad in a hurry.

Yep, on day three she still looks the same!

Amalie's g'ma, Trisha, flew in from Vegas. Josh is giving his mom some modern burping lessons.

We don't catch her awake very often. She is such a good baby and just sleeps and eats. I think that is a sign of a good mom.

Amalie tries out her new swing that G'ma got her.

Leon, Josh, Amalie and Trisha, four generations!