Making Memories

OU (54) vs. Utah State (3)

Jason and I took the kids to their first OU football game versus Utah State (we spanked em'). Elle lasted one quarter in the heat before I had to take her downstairs to watch on the TVs in the concession area. She and I retired to the tailgate around half time.

Jason and Dakota had 3rd row seats in the player recruit area...tickets scored via BTW connections! They had private access in the Switzer Center and entry via the player guest gates. They sat three seats away from Courtney Paris and right next to all the OU women's volleyball and basketball teams. As Jason put it, they had plain view of the Aggies sideline. Dakota lasted into the third quarter before he was ready for more food and drink. So we all met back at the Little's tailgate party which is OU football first class.

The Littles do the tailgate up right. They're equipped with a large TV, Dish network satellite, four tents, a futon, an American flag, and Oklahoma flag, a gas powered cooler on wheels and plenty of food and drink. The kids enjoyed playing in the horse trough with their new friend Olivia

and we enjoyed chatting with the Littles, the Harders (including Scott who it was great to see) and plenty of their friends. There are so many details that go into planning this event and we're ever grateful for them sharing in their hospitality with us. We stuck around long enough to help with loading the trailer (it was the least we could do) and even that had it's own entertainment value.

Everyone had a good time and I think the kids had a memorable Sooner experience.

Labor Day 2007

We had another great weekend at the lake. The Hudsons came up and we got to spend some time with the Zahns as well. The water was too rough for much time on the boat but the weather was perfect for spending time on the back porch. Of course, we fit in some OU football and witnessed a North Texas butt woopin. GO SOONERS!

Labor Day & Buddy

I had to add this one of Buddy at the lake. It reminded me of Scooby Doo for some reason...

Grand Lake Family Reunion

We had a fabulous weekend at Grand Lake spending time with family. The Littles and the Harders came in from out of town and introduced cousin Hal to his first ever boat ride.





Hal got to play with Elle and Dakota and us grown ups got to sample an assortment of beers. On Saturday, the Zahns and the Gernhardts came into town for a wonderful family luncheon. I applaud my mom for organizing such an event; we had a blast.

Kindergarten Mom

It's official. I'm a sucker. They've already got me making homemade play doh. Primary colors only...red, green, yellow and blue. Something tells me there is a lesson on blending colors coming up soon. Don't you remember? Yellow and blue make green and red and yellow make orange, etc. Dakota helped stir and Elle bit the tube of blue food coloring and wiped it all over her dress. Typical.

1st Day of School

Today was a success. Dakota is officially a Westwood Wrangler. His transition was smooth and much easier on him than on mom & dad. We're very proud of our brave little guy.

Elle's Three Year Update

Dear Friends and Family,

Another year has gone by and now I’m 3 years old. Actually, I was 3 years old back in June but who’s counting? What a great six months it has been!

I’ve had a fabulous summer. I’ve spent time at the lake (both Nana & Papa Ellis and also a weekend with Gammy Sandy & Papa Herman). And one of our friends gave us a water slide for the back yard and I’ve spent a lot of time on it. In fact, we played on it during my birthday party and had a blast!

I also took my first airplane ride ever! My Aunt Kara’s soccer team made it to the regional championship and my whole family went to Florida to watch her play and also so we could play in Florida. It was a fun vacation. I got to stay in hotel, swim in the swimming pool and even play in the sand on the beach. I came back brown as a little bean! And all of Kara’s friends just loved me and gave me tons of attention (and Dakota really liked Kara’s friend Lauren but that’s another story).

A few friends of ours had babies so now I have more friends to play with. Hank Boomershine, Kate Brannon and Isabella LeCrone are some of my newest friends. There are so many babies that I’ll have lots of practice with helping and with bossing. I’m really good at bossing.

Oh, and yes I did learn to potty train. I was fully trained by January or maybe early February. And I even got a big girl bed. It’s so pretty and it has flowers all over it. I just love it!

I weigh 34 pounds I measure 39 and ¼ inches. Mom was shocked that I ranted 80th percentile and 92nd percentile in both my measurements. That’s quite contrary to my brother. Maybe that means I’ll be able to kick his butt if I want to.

Love, Elle

A New Leaf

The summer is drawing to a close and that means a fresh start on lots of fronts. For one, this blog. I've had such a difficult time keeping our family website up to date and this seems simpler for now. Secondly, Dakota is starting Kindergarten on Monday. Miss Smith is his teacher. Both she and Dakota are handling it better than I. Imagine that. And Elle will now be one of the oldest kids at her daycare. I have a feeling her independence will continue to grow. And lastly, Jason will begin his new role as Assistant Athletic Director for Booker T. Washington H.S. Go Hornets!

The Ellis' Lake House

The lake house is always a great venue for a family gathering. This summer, we took advantage of a great weekend with the Hudson family and got all kids together to play. Nana had some swim time with all her grandkids and Papa managed a few boat rides.

Eufala Lake 2007

Every summer the Doctor family goes to Eufala lake for a vacation/family reunion. The kids do lots of swimming and the adults do lots of sweating (and eating good food). Dakota is a big fan of Gammy and Papa's sea-doo and Elle is an even bigger fan of the 5th wheel trailer.

Favorite Aunt Jayne (she makes us say that)

and Bryan spent some time with the kids and even let Jason and I borrow their bikes for a spin around the park. That's frightening...really.

Fun in the sun!

Florida Vacation - June 2007

This is one of the most hilarious family photos ever. Dakota didn't like the sun in his eyes. This photo was taken with the ocean view from our hotel as the backdrop. Jason's family pictured here are Mom (Sandy), Dad (Herman), Auntie Kara (Sister), Auntie Sissy (Shara) and of course us.

2007

Mother's Day 2007

For my mom's present, I arraged for a photo shoot of my dad at Woodward Park. Most shots were of him alone or him with his K9 pals but this shot was taken with his grandkids. It's a rare opportunity to see him and both kids being so still!

Camden's Bachelorette

After several years of courtship, a perfect couple got engaged and later married on June 9, 2007. Camden and Matt are great friends of ours and I couldn't have been happier than to have hosted her bachelorette weekend at my parent's lake house. Camden, Leslie, Krystal and myself enjoyed lots of time on the boat, in the sun, shootin' guns. Yes, you read correctly.

Papa Mike built a shooting range and gave us lessons with 5+ weapons. What a weekend! This was the same weekend that Leslie announced her pregnancy and we reiminised about Krystal's bachelorette lake weekend as well.

Jason

Jason Ray Doctor was born at 1:52 p.m. on fall afternoon, was 21.5 inches long and weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces. Today, he is a High School History teacher, baseball coach and assistant athletic director at Booker T. Washington H.S. His favorite hobbies are fishing, baseball, golf, and giving mommy a hard time.

5 months old

Candice

Candice Leigh (Ellis) Doctor was born at 8:38 a.m. on hot summer morning, was 22 inches long and weighed 7.4 pounds. Her favorite hobbies are reading, walking, shopping, and taking care of daddy.

6 months old

Family Pets

We also have a 4-legged family. Buster is healthy and strong but we said goodbye to his brother Bandit in Summer, 2008. Buddy is the latest boxer member of the family and he's quasi adopted by Nana & Papa. He enjoys going to the lake with them and their doggy door gives him more freedom than our kennel did so we mostly see him during weekend visitation. We also have two doggies in doggie heaven, Missy and Emmit.

Buster and Bandit

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Emmit

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Buddy

Miscellaneous Pics from Spring/Summer 2007

Krystal and Me at Barry's Bowling Party

Doc and Sean at Elle's Birthday Party

TG and Hank...chillin

The Brannons and The Boomershines

Matt Bearden's Birthday Party - 3 bars later

Camden and Me at bar #2.

Camden and Matt at bar #1.

Tonya and Mom at Hank's Baby Shower

Dilene and Me at Women of Faith Conference

Like Father Like Son

Jason's buddy Sean came over for a boys night. As you can see, the Bud Light was the favorite amongst the guests.