We got to sleep in this morning. None of us got up until 9:30. Thankfully there was no chocolate milk crisis to awaken us all! After breakfast the kids and I headed over to the Oklahoma State Capitol. Oh come on....you HAD to know that was coming! Have you ever known me to pass up a state capitol?? It wasn't far from the hotel and easy to get to. Thank heaven for GPS! It's a beautiful capitol with an actual oil well on the grounds. How cool is that?
We parked and walked up to the front doors....they were locked. The sign said to enter on the SW side so we walked there...locked. We started on around to the next set of doors when we passed a group that told us they had already walked all the way around and ALL the doors were locked. It seems that the Oklahoma State Capitol is not open on weekends. The hours printed on the door SAID they were open, but it was locked up tight. Thomas was ticked. He announced to all who had gathered at the locked doors that, "TEXAS doesn't close its capitol, it's always open." I'm sure they wondered how an 8 year old was so familiar with the visitation hours of the Texas capitol. Anyway, we snapped a couple of pictures on the steps and headed back to the car. 
It was very chilly here today. We were fine out of the wind. When they sing, "Oklahoma...where the wind comes sweeping down the plains," they ain't kidding! We went to Wal-mart to buy sweaters for the girls.
Jesus stands with his back to the destruction and the bottom of the statue says...
After this, we walked back to get our car so we could go to dinner. We went to Old Spaghetti Warehouse, a family favorite.
Dad treated to cheesecake and chocolate cake for dessert.
Afterwards, we took a carriage ride around Bricktown!
While on this ride we passed the WORLD headquarters of Sonic!! This was quite exciting for the kids and I. I love Sonic...real Coke, fresh lime..yum. Anyway, as it turns out the first Sonic and the 3000th Sonic are in Shawnee, OK. Since we visit Sonic so frequently, I felt the need to take a picture, so that I know where the $$ goes!
Afterwards we went back to the hotel so that the kids could swim. Mandy tried to put her swimsuit on by herself..."I DO IT!" Yes, we are in that phase. After she did it herself this is what she looked like...
We parked and walked up to the front doors....they were locked. The sign said to enter on the SW side so we walked there...locked. We started on around to the next set of doors when we passed a group that told us they had already walked all the way around and ALL the doors were locked. It seems that the Oklahoma State Capitol is not open on weekends. The hours printed on the door SAID they were open, but it was locked up tight. Thomas was ticked. He announced to all who had gathered at the locked doors that, "TEXAS doesn't close its capitol, it's always open." I'm sure they wondered how an 8 year old was so familiar with the visitation hours of the Texas capitol. Anyway, we snapped a couple of pictures on the steps and headed back to the car. It was very chilly here today. We were fine out of the wind. When they sing, "Oklahoma...where the wind comes sweeping down the plains," they ain't kidding! We went to Wal-mart to buy sweaters for the girls. After our trip to the capitol we met Scott back at the hotel. We all walked a few blocks to the Oklahoma National Memorial. On our walk there we tried to explain to Thomas and Grace what we were going to go see. We went to the site several years ago during the construction of the memorial, but the museum hadn't been completed yet. If you find yourself in OKC, near OKC, or looking for a weekend trip someplace...THIS IS A MUST SEE. It is honestly one of the best, most exceptionally well done museums I have ever been to. And, you all know that as a history teacher I am a harsh judge of museums. When you enter, this statement is the first thing you see...
"We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity."
I love that line..."May all who leave here know the impact of violence." I always worry about taking the kids to these places. As you know,they've been to the WTC site and Shanksville. However, afterwards I'm always glad we did. This museum does an excellent job delivering it's message to children. Yes, there is sometimes violence in the world, but through it we discover how brilliantly the human spirit shines. 
I cried my way through the entire museum. Towards the end they have a room that has pictures of all 168 people who were killed. They are in these clear plastic cases and inside, with the picture is a momento that their families have placed there. The kids...one little girls box had her little plastic dress up shoes...
Let's just say I'll be hugging my children extra tight tonight.You will feel completely wrung out when you are done. I felt like I did after attending the Holocaust Museum in D.C.
We walked around the memorial garden for awhile and then walked across the street to St. Joseph's church. Their rectory was right across the street and was damaged so badly in the blast that it was torn down. They have erected this AWESOME memorial of their own...
Jesus stands with his back to the destruction and the bottom of the statue says...Absolutely amazing.
After this, we walked back to get our car so we could go to dinner. We went to Old Spaghetti Warehouse, a family favorite.
Dad treated to cheesecake and chocolate cake for dessert.Afterwards, we took a carriage ride around Bricktown!While on this ride we passed the WORLD headquarters of Sonic!! This was quite exciting for the kids and I. I love Sonic...real Coke, fresh lime..yum. Anyway, as it turns out the first Sonic and the 3000th Sonic are in Shawnee, OK. Since we visit Sonic so frequently, I felt the need to take a picture, so that I know where the $$ goes!Afterwards we went back to the hotel so that the kids could swim. Mandy tried to put her swimsuit on by herself..."I DO IT!" Yes, we are in that phase. After she did it herself this is what she looked like...Obviously doing it yourself is not always the best option.
The bubbles in the hot tub were the hit of the pool tonight...
Tomorrow we are going to the Cowboy Museum and then we are headed back to Texas! (Where the capitol is always open!)
Blessings,
Leslie
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