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digareaKids are not the only age group that enjoys digging. Patty began planning once she learned we would be grandparents. Day trips. “Once the boys are old enough,” she would say, ” we are going to take them on some trips here in Oklahoma.” Every Saturday she funds her imagination with Discover Oklahoma. It paid off.

A couple of weeks ago we took our first day trip with the boys. We let their parents tag along for good measure. Our designation? The Great Salt Plains near Jett, Oklahoma. Why the Great Salt Plains? We were going crystal digging, selenite crystals to be exact.

pattykjdiggingOur event would be no spectator sport. Grammy had as much fun as the boys, maybe more. Patty and Kimberly kept digging and skimming. We learned as we went. “Dig a 2 foot by 2 foot hole. Skim the edges of the hole and the sandy dirt hole that fills with water.” I am not sure we actually found any selenite. We still need to wash and examine our haul.

tddiggingTommie took digging to a whole nutha level. We monitored her closely lest she dig a hole so deep she might disappear.

theboysdiggingThe boys? Well, when there is room to roam, roaming they will do. They dig a hole and it ended up being big enough for the both of them. They were not real interested in finding crystals. But, Max found the salty dirt to his liking. Cohen simply saw the wide open space and it was work just to keep him in our dig area. At one point we looked up and he and Grammy looked to be a quarter of a mile away.

We dug for about two and a half hours. It was enough to work up an appetite. We found a Mexican food restaurant in Enid and took care of our growling stomach.

maxdigging

“Max Digging” – Copyright 2013 Todd Littleton

cohenexploring

“Cohen Exploring” – Copyright 2013 Todd Littleton

Now our appetite is truly whetted for the next trip. It may be the Fall before we take another day trip. Before then we will load the boys up and head for Missouri and our annual Family Vacation fishing trip. I am thinking the boys may need a bit more time to enjoy the confines of a boat. However, we will be sure to find fun and the pool and beyond.

Oh what fun these boys are and will be. [more]
There are any number of people for whom I am thankful today. It is hard to narrow it down. But I am sure you will understand why I have chosen as I have. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUvofEsmudQ[more]
I just learned my cousin Diane had her first grandchild - Tillie Diane. Congratulations! We had both the grands over for lunch Sunday. Cohen and Max were about to leave when a game of "Ring Around Cou[more]
Patty and I sat and visited with a couple who retired to Forsyth, Missouri. They had visited the area on their honeymoon 62 years ago. My family has not been vacationing on Lake Taneycomo for 62 years[more]

Cohen and Max

Cohen Alan and Max Nolen are our grandsons. Cohen was born eight weeks early on August 2, 2010. Max was born on December 28, 2011. The posts on this page are, of course, about them. What else is a grandpa to do? Carolyn suggested I was now part of a club. Wayne said I would now beContinue Reading

Friday Photo – Cohen Is Hanging Around

Tomorrow would have been Cohen Alan’s due date. But, he has been hanging around since August 2. Just to prove it we snapped this photo as evidence. Yes, you guessed it. Patty strikes again. With the message, “Welcome Me to the World,” we continue to admit our world is very different since Cohen has beenContinue Reading

Friday Photo – Crossing Midfield, First Down!

We are University of Oklahoma fans. Cohen’s Dad, Craig, is an Oklahoma State fan. We are all football fans. So, what better way to initiate Cohen into one of our favorite sports? That’s right, get him on the field early. Patty is up to her creative genius in these photos. Felt, numbers, masking tape andContinue Reading

Friday Photo – Cohen In the Clouds

Patty is quite creative. Some of her ideas emerge from her imagination. Others are inspired by others’ creativity. In these instances she puts her own twist on an idea. Much of my recent photography, and for that matter I suspect a good bit down the line, is of Cohen Alan. Combine that with Patty’s creativityContinue Reading

Cohen Alan – Day 28, Finally Home

Four weeks to the day and almost to the hour, Cohen Alan left the NICU at Children’s Hospital and rode his chariot home. What a difference four weeks make. Make no mistake, he is still quite small. But 1 1/2 lbs later and passing all of his required milestones meant “home” would be the newContinue Reading

Friday Photo(s) – Grammy Looking On … and Good Too

One week ago today, we timed it right. Cohen had escaped the box for a bit and we happened to arrive at the hospital in time. Seventeen days after he was born, we got to hold our little grandson. And, I mean little. Watching him from outside the isolette you can easily tell he isContinue Reading