An Oklahoma Christmas - part 1

This year was our first Christmas spent in Sayre, and it was absolutely lovely!

We had originally talked about flying into OKC, renting a car, kenneling the pups.... but a quick crunch of the numbers told us opting for the drive was much (much) more fiscally reasonable.  So off we went on our 13 hour haul.  Nolan was a pretty good trooper, as usual.

I took this pic of the New Mexico scenery for you, Steph, because it is so incredible similar to your sights while traveling around New Zealand.  

.Right.

Blurry but you get it:  our candy stash, purchased because we originally thought about driving overnight.  Chocolate options for Mikel and Werther's Originals for me.  Mikel says I'm a grandma.

*****

We pulled into Sayre around 7pm Thursday evening.  The next night, Mikel and I headed to Oklahoma City to attend the much anticipated the wedding of our friends Sarah and Jayme at the state capitol building.  Many of our (and especially Mikel's) dear college friends were present, making it a rare reunion of sorts. The whole thing was beautiful, and I may or may not have pirated the following pictures from Sarah's facebook page.

The only shot of us from the night!  What was I thinking not bringing my camera?!

*****

Debby was a gem and kept Nolan overnight, allowing Mikel and me a full night away in the city.  Such a gift!  Thank you again, Grams - truly.  

It turned out to be a good thing that we planned things that way because while we were at the wedding, Oklahoma showed up, parading one of her good old fashioned ice storms for us.  Just in case we needed one more reason to think maybe we DO like Arizona, this was the view from my side of the car after the wedding!

As an extra treat, Mikel and I opted to stay at the Two Hearts Inn, the bed and breakfast where we stayed our wedding night and have one additional time since.  Now mind you: this ain't no Great Aunt Mimi's B&B --- this place is AMAZING, and all I could think about as we made our way slowly through the ice storm was the big, fluffy pillows and the ginormous cushy bed that I would soon be curled up in, plus the in-room breakfast they would be bringing the next morning.  Oh my, I love it there.  :)

The B&B has 6 different suites, each boasting a unique theme.  It is my personal goal to stay at least once in each suite.  We are now half way there!

 A peek into the tea room, for my college girlfriends!

 Mikel is forcing a smile because I am blocking his view of the basketball game.

Breakfast!

 Mikel had just woken up, and then I burned his retinas with the camera flash.

 Our sweet little room had no windows (PS: no windows + no baby = best. sleep. ever.), but never fear: the ever faithful Oklahoma weather team was there to alert us of the winter wonderland that was waiting for us outside.

Before leaving for Sayre, we stopped in the tea room so I could grab a couple of gifts.  My girlfriends and I used to come to this tea room for our birthday lunches and I had my bridal luncheon there.  It's a special place to me.

Mikel's assessment of the tea room: "It's just all the same.  It's the same stuff over and over and over again."

... Le sigh.

*****

Back at Debby's house, we just laid low for a few days until things started to thaw.  And it was great.  We are sooooo thankful to Debby for allowing us to tote the pups along on our visit.  Apart from saving us some major expense, it was sweet to have them with us and not stressed with a long kennel stay.

This one was a little snarky toward Maggie and Paisley at first, but after getting a swift (well deserved) kick from Grammers, she got the picture that she might not be the boss of the house -- and she settled in just fine.
A working dog trapped in a wiener dog's body.  That's Khaki for you.

Pretty snuggly!

...Even better snuggles.  :)

That Grandma is no slouch cook!!  Nolan legitimately gained several extra rolls in the week we were there.  And I hate to think how Mikel and I fared!

We made a habit of staying in jammies until all hours of the day.

The ice storm blew in Friday night, so by Monday we were itching to get outside a bit.  

Off we all headed for a walk.  And I hate to say it, but with the wind whipping over those Western OK plains --- and me having donated away all of my decent coats --- it was indeed plenty cold!

Our pups looove to pretend that they are country dogs and run around off leash for this walk route.

We got home and warmed up a bit.  Man, my blood has thinned out quickly since moving south...

Debby had this adorably little tree in place in her front room, complete with an indestructible plastic Nativity set at its base.  Nolan played and played with those pieces - determined to test their strength.  They held up well!  Great idea, Debby.

He has been pulling up and letting go with more and more confidence.

Don't mind the crazy mommy face.

Aunt Lizzie pulled out a blanket and immediately became the most popular person in the room - at least according to all 4 dogs!

Poor Mikel had been sick, worked long hours the days leading up to the trip, and then did almost all of the driving on the way down.  He was tired and grabbed a nap right in the middle of the floor.

Meanwhile, Nolan had himself a little close-up photo shoot...

...and Lizzie worked her fingers to the bone making us REAL eggnog.

It was delicious but let's just say: you don't want to get that stuff too close to a flame ---- and it was a miracle we didn't all end up passed out on the floor.  :)