Basketball and Painting.

Before we left for our lake trip (which I'll be sharing tomorrow) we spent a week at home. DJ had to wrap some things up at work and Gretchen spent a week at TU's Women's Basketball Camp. 

They always have crazy hair day at basketball camp, and Gretchen had her hopes set on winning the coveted prize of having the craziest hair! 

We made one "hair" bow. 

And then I did several pony tails in the other side with Tulsa colored hair bows. 

Gretchen has gone to TU's camp since after kindergarten, so this was her third year to attend. She absolutely loves spending time with the players and learning some new skills. 

While Gretchen was at camp, the little girls and I were home. We did laundry, we cleaned- I mean, it was pretty glamorous. The also squeezed themselves in to this doll bed. 

Meggie made herself fit! 

And one morning, we decided to take a wagon ride to the swimming pool. Except, they rode, and I pulled them and all of our stuff. 

And then that afternoon, I caught up on Real Housewives of Dallas while Addy napped and Meggie watched Kate and Min Min. Since I had laundry all over the bed, I had to watch from the floor! 

So, each day this summer, I decided that I would diffuse and research a new oil. I received the Aroma Complete from Young Living back in February. It contains tons of their oils and it took me forever to decide to break in to it and actually start using the oils! So, I put a few drops of Geranium in my diffuser and started out researching a bit about it, and now, I'm obsessed. Geranium has a rich floral aroma. If you're not burning candles any more then this makes a great alternative. From my research, I found that Geranium is the "poor mans rose oil" which is kind of right up my alley! Geranium is mostly used for skin care; it can minimize the look and appearance of wrinkles because it is able to tighten skin and slow down the look of aging. It is also a muscle toner and can reduce the appearance of saggy skin and can give your abdominal muscles a more toned look ! Hey- no more crunches!! Geranium helps to heal skin wounds and incisions. Geranium oil promotes new cell growth. Use in your natural deodorant or as perfume. Geranium oil is shown to trigger microglial cells, which release pro-inflammatory agents that combat inflammation in neural pathways (research this one!) Geranium can improve your mental function and improve your spirit. Be advised of caution if you have high blood pressure but my friends, this is an oil you need to have!

😉Geranium helps to heal skin wounds and incisions. Geranium oil promotes new cell growth. Use in your natural deodorant or as perfume. Geranium oil is shown to trigger microglial cells, which release pro-inflammatory agents that combat inflammation in neural pathways (research this one!) Geranium can improve your mental function and improve your spirit. Be advised of caution if you have high blood pressure but my friends, this is an oil you need to ha

Wednesday morning DJ and Gretchen headed off to basketball camp again, and around 10:30, the little girls and I headed up so we could watch Gretchen in action. We got there right around break time and I found Gretchen helping out at the snack stand! Since she started going to camp around kindergarten (which is a few years before they allow other campers to attend) she apparently has always hung out with some of the staff and helped out! 

And then it was time for a little court action. 

Gretchen's favorite thing to do is pass the ball in. 

After her game was over, we left her at camp, and DJ, the little girls, and I headed to Guthrie Green. It's a little "park" in downtown Tulsa and each Wednesday they have Food Trucks all around. It was on our summer bucket list to go! We decided that we would eat from a Food Truck and then let the girls play in the sprinkler park there. 

We grabbed our lunch and then found a spot to eat in the shade. Unfortunately, it was crazy hot! 

Adalyn didn't even want to eat lunch! 

She just layed down trying to stay cool! 

After lunch, we headed down the steps to the splash pad, but they weren't working very well. Like, maybe one or two would pop up, but the girls wouldn't get in since they weren't all working. So, we loaded up, and went back to the university campus to play in their fountains. 

And, they had a blast! 

Addy was pretty cautious about the sprinklers at first! But the girls had fun and DJ was able to hang with us before heading back to work. When the girls were finished, we changed clothes and headed home for nap time! 

On Thursday, the girls and I got dressed to run some errands. We had to go to Target and then we had to get DJ's father's day present. 

That afternoon, we headed to pick Gretchen up from basketball camp, and the little girls crashed Gretchen's picture with the head women's basketball coach. 

Thursday night, was girls night! Our old neighbor was in town from Florida, and we had one last night out while she was in town! 

All set up and starting to paint! 

A glass of wine, and a little painting. Don't mind if I do. 

All finished with our paintings! 

And my finished painting!

I got home late Thursday night and had to pack for our lake trip, which i'll be recapping tomorrow! 

Friday Favorites

Hey, Hey Friends..... and Friday! So glad to see you both!!! I'm linking up today with Andrea, Erika, and Narci for Friday Favorites! 

I've been a little blogging MIA this week, because we've been doing this: 

Last Friday, we left town and headed to Arkansas to visit DJ's family. It was his niece's birthday, and Father's day, so it was a good weekend to visit! We actually weren't planning on heading down to the lake until some time in July, but our mini-trips had to be moved around due to a wedding and DJ's work schedule. Lake time and family time is our FAVORITE! I'll be recapping our trip next week!

Have you guys read about this heart touching story on Facebook? Last weekend, I read a shared post from a guy named Matt White. He lives in Memphis, and he was picking up groceries when Chauncy came up to him and asked if he could carry Matt's groceries to his car in exchange for a box of doughnuts. Matt said yes, and as he was talking to Chauncey, he realized that Chauncy had no food in his house. (He had taken the bus to the "rich" Kroger, in hopes of getting some doughnuts) So, he took Chauncy back to the grocery store and bought him and his mother a ton of groceries, and then drove Chauncy home so he wouldn't have to take the bus again. As he got to know Chauncy better, he  learned that Chancy was a straight A student, and he just wanted to get a job this summer to help his mother pay the rent. They had also been robbed a few weeks ago and were sleeping on the floor. Matt reached out to his Facebook friends and set up a go-fund-me account in order to buy Chauncy a lawn mower so he could mow lawns this summer and make some money. That go-fund-me account, is now over $42,000.00!!!!!!! After the sadness that came out of Orlando last week, this was just the story I needed to read in order to lift my spirits that there is still SO MUCH good in the world. 

Once we arrived homed yesterday, I headed to Target (my favorite place) as soon as the girls went to bed. I found this pillow on sale for $6.00 and had to grab it! I'll have to share a pic of it today, because it was too dark in my house last night! But, I also found these cute patriotic pillows that I had to share!

Red/White Stripe

America Pillow

And, then I found two of these poofs that are on clearance. I've been eyeing them since April, and they're finally marked down, but I'm not 100% sure I actually need them. My mom said they weren't her style, but I think they'd be fun in the living room.... but they could also cause an argument between the girls because I only want two, and then I wonder if they'll have dog hair attached to them, and I won't love them as much s I love the idea of them..... what do you think?

So, I've recently joined snapchat (@ElaineWelte) and I love being able to follow people, watch their little video snaps, and see pics, but I have not gotten up the courage to snap myself! I mean, what gives?! Plus, it's a little hard to figure everything out.... so, if you're on Snapchat, leave me your handle in a comment below, because I'd love to follow you and maybe I'll start snapping soon!

So, that's it for Friday Favorites!!! Next week, I've got some catching up to do with our summer fun from the week before our vacation, and then I'll be recapping our lake trip, and sharing some 4th of July inspiration!!!! I hope you'll come back and visit!!! 

Going to the Big D....

In a few weeks, DJ, the girls, and I are heading to ........

Dallas!

We knew we wanted to take a little trip somewhere, and Dallas is close to home and DJ's uncle lives right outside of Dallas! I had originally thought we'd make it to St. Louis this summer, but that wasn't going to work out. 

DJ and I have both been to Dallas on several occasions, but mostly it was for football games. So, we haven't really had the chance to explore Dallas for what it truly is! 

We're only going to be there for 2 1/2- maybe three days (we'll see if I can talk him in to longer!) So, I need your help! What should we do and see while we're there?

I have a few ideas of my own, but obviously since our time will be short, we'll need to really plan our time wisely, so give it to me straight- what should we do and what should we omit?

Here's what I was thinking:

~ Lunch at In & Out

~ American Girl Doll Store

~ The Perot Museum

~ Ikea (I really don't have anything that needs to be bought from Ikea, but I'm not sure if I can turn it down since we'll be so close!)

~ German Village- Okay, so I'm not very familiar with this one, but I've heard there's a little town that either is or replicated like a little German Village.  Anyway, my mother was saying that my grandmother had been and it sounds super quaint and cute, so I'd love to make it if it's close. Can anyone help me out on this?

~ And DJ's list includes a water park, which I think is silly since we have water parks in Tulsa!

~ Gretchen's list would probably include George Bush's Presidential Library

~ And DJ mentioned taking Gretchen to the spot where Kennedy was assassinated. 

So, help us out- what should we add to our list?

Father's Day Picks

Father's day is this weekend, and in true fashion, I am way behind in picking out gifts! I have had ideas running through my head of what to get DJ, my stepfather, and his dad, but the act of going and doing just sounds a lot easier than it actually is. Top it off with the fact that we have to ship our gifts since we don't live near family, and I become a total slacker. Maybe you're on the ball, and you have gifts picked out, your kids have spent the week making crafts, and you know exactly how you're going to spoil that special man in your life. Or, maybe you're like me, and just the thought of the going and doing sends you in to a near panic!

If you're panicking, let's take a collective deep breath, because I'm sharing my top Father's Day Gifts right here, right now. 

I'm a big fan of these little shaving kits. I love DJ with a nice clean shaved face. The Art of Shaving starter kit includes a pre-shave oil, a shaving cream, an after shave balm, and a shaving brush. 

DJ and I both have FitBitshttps://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=500236761&pid=uid6721-29704689-19, and we love them! We challenge each other and enjoy seeing who has more steps during the day. We even walk around the living room if we're short steps! And, we use them to decide on little jobs in the house- the person with the least steps has to do the dishes, or give the girls a bath, fold the laundry, whatever needs to be done that neither of us want to do! 

This messenger tote from J. Crew is both stylish and functional. If the dad in your life travels a lot, this would be a great option for him! 

DJ is definitely a polo-guy. He always appreciates getting clothes for Father's day or his birthday because he tells me all of the time that his clothing consists of his work shirts, pants, and shoes- all Tulsa logo'd. So, anytime he can get something that isn't work related, he can appreciate it. This blue option is perfect for when he's on the golf course, and even when he's at the office. 

DJ has a ton of technology that he carries with him a lot. Either his iPhone, iPad, or a computer. This charge pak would be perfect for him. 

In the fall, DJ is always traveling with the football team and he often works at the airport and on the plane breaking down film for the players and coaches. These bluetooth headphones would be perfect while he's on the go. And, maybe even when he's at home! 

For those of you who have dads or husbands who appreciate more crafty gifts, you can check out a few of my favorites on my Pinterest board!

So, what are you getting your husband or dad for Father's Day?

Weekend Re-Cap: Party Edition

This past weekend was full of parties! We stayed up late, spent time with old friends, made a few new ones, went swimming and skipped baths. It was the epitome of what summer is all about! 

Friday morning we slept in, and stayed in our pj's! Megan and Addy played with blocks and built towers, played in their gigantic box, and played with babies. 

DJ made it home around noon and Megan and I ran some errands. It's pretty special having time with just her, and she soaked it up. We went to Rustic Cuff, and then to the Disney Store, so she could spend a gift card she had received on her birthday, and we finished it up with a trip to Old Navy since I had some of their "super cash" to spend. I picked up this dress, these shorts, this tank, and another dress. 

Before we left, Megan asked to take her picture with the dog and the mannequins. 

We drove through Sonic to get ice cream, and then we came home for dinner. 

DJ had to run back up to the football office to fix a coach's computer, so the girls played in the sprinkler! 

They had a blast! After quick baths, then were tucked in, and I went on a run. 

I told myself that I'd wake up early and get my runs in, but I had been staying up late until DJ made it home from his football camps, so I hadn't been going to bed until 11:30 at night.... needless to say, waking up early was not going to happen, so I've been getting my runs in during the evenings. I picked up this tank and these shorts at Old Navy, and they must have inspired me big time, because I ran two miles, and then did some work outs at our neighborhood playground- 60 walking lunges, step ups, push ups, and tripcep dips. 

Saturday morning, the girls pretended they were going to school. According to Megan, she was in middle school, and Adalyn was in 1st grade. 

Giant boxes are definitely the best summer toy. The girls have colored and decorated it, pretended it was a bus, a car, and a school. 

Around 10:30 the girls and I left for a birthday party. 

They asked me to take their picture before we left. 

They had fun playing in the bounce house, we had lunch, cookies, cake, and then it was time for the piñata!

Megan is serious about piñata busting. 

Candy time!!! 

After the party, we headed home and Adalyn had a quick nap. Then it was time to head to another party! This time at our coach's house. 

I didn't take any pictures while we were there, so much thanks to Mrs. Ashli for grabbing these! Megan was a little fish while we were there! 

And Adalyn was a cookie thief! I think she had at least 5 cookies!

DJ swam with the girls. 

And they practiced jumping in and swimming! 

We arrived home to our neighbor's firework show. 

And the girls were not impressed!

Sunday morning, DJ headed to work, and I took the little girls to church. They sit on this bench every time we leave church, and they asked to take their picture. 

And then they wanted their picture taken again as we passed John Wesley on our way out. 

After church we headed to Arkansas to meet my parents and pick up Gretchen! She had a wonderful weekend at my parents house. 

 Gretchen is obsessed with presidents and history. She read a biography about Bill Clinton this spring, so my parents took her to his presidential library in Little Rock. 

She visited his oval office. 

 and they went to the old state house and drove around the state capitol. 

 Saturday morning they picked blueberries. 

And then they came home and made blueberry cobbler! 

Once we arrived back Sunday evening, we headed to our old neighborhood for a cookout. 

Eventually we broke out the water balloons, and I'm just glad that this girl wasn't coming for me! 

Addy ate some crackers from our neighbor's house. 

And then it was all out war with a water balloon fight! 

We had girls on one side. 

And once the balloon fight started Addy decided that she was not a fan and needed momma cuddles !

We headed home around 7:30 because the girls desperately needed baths, and I needed to get a run in! 

It was a fun little weekend!