Twin Fountains RV Park, Oklahoma City, OK. Campground Review

While were staying in Oklahoma City, we enjoyed our stay at Twin Fountains RV Park. 

Facilities:  sites were huge, with grass and pavement, as well as clean and well kept with site trash pick-up.

They are in the process of adding a pool, which will be really nice for the summer visitors. :)  Their bathrooms were really modern and clean, with really big showers/dressing area.

There is a playground, but it is a little rickety, and needs to be tightened or redone. (in my opinion :)

Price: $130 for the 5 days we stayed, which we felt was a great deal.  They also had a FREE shuttle that took us to the Science Museum.  The location is perfect for visiting all the attractions.

Blessings,
Steph

State #3!!!

We are in our third state, Missouri. :)
Happy Ressurection Day!!  We were blessed to find a church to worship this morning, and then went to lunch at a Steak-N-Shake.  For our whole family of 7 BIG eaters, it was a TOTAL of $23!!!  INCLUDING the tip!!  :)  That is awesome!

Before we found our campsite, we were driving through Oklahoma, more specifically, Vinita, Ok., and visited the WORLD'S largest McDonald's.  :)  Too cool.  It literally spans across the interstate!

This is the view from the inside of the McD's.  :)

Our drive into Missouri was nice, and the weather was perfect, however, now it is raining, and we are under a severe thunderstorm watch.  Please pray that the Lord would put His protective hedge over us.  We are planning to just hunker down and wait out the storm, instead of trying to drive through it. 

I hope you all were blessed this Easter Sunday.  Jesus is ALIVE!

Blessings,
Steph

Oklahoma City Science Museum

Today, we went to the Science Museum and spent a good 4 hours there, and still did not see everything!  We enjoyed ourselves and appreciated all the experiments and interactive activities.  We also went to our first Planetarium too!  This was too cool!  The man who lead the teaching time and descriptions of all the constellations was just outstanding.  :)  He really new his stuff, but brought it down a bit, so that the kids could understand.  I am learning SO much, right alongside my kids.  I just LOVE homeschooling!  :)

Space suits, similators, gravity experiments, and many other space themed games were a really fun part of this museum.

If you look closely, the kids were operating robotic arms, and trying pick up and move balls and blocks inside the case. :)

This was too funny!  We are in the Gymnastics Hall of Fame area of the museum, and they have all these colorful mats and balance beams and such.  Parker noticed the old recordings of the champions tumbling, and tried to mimic them!  I was cracking up as he was in his own little world!  :)

This is the largest treehouse we have EVER seen!  It is 4 stories high, indoors, and has the countries' tallest spiral-slide!  Yee-Haw!  :)  Obviously, the kids LOVED it!

Even better, we were able to get into the museum FREE!  I love our Happy Hollow Museum Membership. :)

Blessings,
Steph

The Firefighter's Museum & the Flag from 9/11

We went to visit the Firefighter's Museum, here in Oklahoma City, and as we drove up, this is what greeted us!  An ENORMOUS AMERICAN FLAG.

Come to find out, it is the actual flag that hung at the Twin Towers' site.  This flag has been traveling all over America to continue on the memory of all those thousands of innocent souls who were killed on 9/11/01.  Today, it was making its presence here at the Museum!  ;)

The actual museum was really cool!  It is small, but filled to the rim with firetrucks dating back to the 1800's!

Afterwards, we went outside to play on their playground area.  This was an unexpected treat!

Next thing we know, all the local firefighters are preparing to fold the flag and prepare it for "send off."  They allowed the kids to help too!

We ended our tour by getting inside a firetruck, and talked with the firemen about the requirements of becoming a fireman.  They were really helpful, and so patient with the kids.  Thanks guys! ;)

Blessings,
Steph

Remember Oklahoma City- 16th Anniversary

While we were here in Oklahoma City, we made it a priority to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial.
April 19, 1995 is the day that changed all of American security.  It is a day Oklahomans will never forget, but these Texans will always remember as well.   During the visit, it became quite obvious to me that this was going to be an emotional experience.  We read a little about the bombing in a history book before we went, to prepare the kids, but it was still so graphic and real, that it just penetrated our hearts to the core.

After we went through the museum, we headed outside to find our Ranger so we could earn our Jr. Ranger badges.    It was hard, because the girls were still fighting tears, and the boys were also still soaking in everything.  We walked upon a group of people talking to the Ranger, and long story, short; these people were from New York, and they were SURVIVORS from 911!!!  It was a precious moment, as they were so welcoming, joyful, and quickly became like long-lost friends/family.  :)  The girls' tears were gone, and soon we were ALL completing the booklets! Ha!  It was just marvelous to this Mama's heart.  :)

Here they ALL are, getting "sworn" in! ;)
There truly was a connection with these special families.  We plan on meeting up with them again when we're in New York, and hopefully bless them in some small way, as they have made a lifetime impression on the Golden Gang.
We said our "goodbyes" and gave many hugs, but honestly, know that we will see them again! :)

Outside, we saw the Survivor Tree, which is over 90 years old and stood firm after the bombing.  We also went to the Reflecting Pool and and Gates of Time.  Here, the kids are putting their "mark" on the gate, to signify they will remain hopeful.  When you walk through the gates, you walk into where the bomb exploded.

We also observed  the Field of Empty Chairs, which have the names of the ones who lost their lives that day, (including 19 children).

Then, we walked over to the Survivor Wall.  This is the only wall left from the building itself, with the names of all those who survived the bombing.  Every one of my children noticed that there were a lot of names on the wall.  In fact, there were more survivors. (168 died that day) 
That was the hope and relief, that they needed in their soul.  It was a great way to end the outside tour.  :)

Finally, we walked in the front of the museum again, and there is a place to write on the ground with chalk.  The kids seemed the need to do this, and I felt it was a great way for them to have some closure after such an emotional day.

Blessings,
Steph

State #2!!!

Well, we are out of Texas and in Oklahoma!!!!
This is our 2nd state to visit on our journey and we are looking forward to many new learning experiences.
On the way through, we noticed how bare and flat it was in some areas, but then would change after several miles to hills and big brush or trees.  We also noticed the red soil.  I personally LOVE lush, green pastures with a little red barn in the background, so the ride through Oklahoma was really enjoyable.  :)  Thank the Lord, we also left after all the storms and wind were so rough, so our travel day was nice.

It must either be my Irish or Cherokee roots, but this is so simply beautiful to me.  :)

Blessings,
Steph