OWU's Prelude to Christmas

Each year OWU hosts the Prelude to Christmas with the Bartlesville symphony performing a wonderful concert.  Afterwards the entire community enjoys hot chocolate together.  Tonight was the night.  Above is a picture of Josh and me heading out to prelude.

Here is a picture of Cheri and Joy heading out to prelude with the boys.  We just snapped a few pictures on the way out.

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving!  We spent most of the day just relaxing at home.  Above is a shot of Josh taking a break from his dirt bike.

Here's Joy riding through the front yard!

Another shot of Joy and Ruby.

Just finished my Thanksgiving run.

Here's a view straight up from my hammock.  If you were swinging in it this is what you would see.

Josh goofing off in the backyard.

Joy and Cheri enjoying the day!

Visit to Vennard College

We had a great visit with faculty, staff, and students at Vennard College in Iowa this week. They are a wonderful group!  The picture above is of two new friends we made there.  We may soon be seeing them in Oklahoma!!!

Geography Fair

Last night was the home school geography fair.  My gang studied Norway.  Cheri's parents also came into town and are in the picture wearing their Norway sweaters.  Yes...Joy lost her front tooth last night!

Here are the girls with their Norway sweaters.

...Cheri and Joy getting ready to go to the fair.

The Piper's 25th Wedding Anniversary

We had a wonderful time celebrating the Piper's 25th wedding anniversary.  We spent the afternoon just enjoying each other's company, eating a lot of great food, shooting all sorts of guns, fishing, and riding the horse.  Congratulations to Everett and Marci on 25 years together!!!  In the picture above are Kathy, Marci (piper), and my wife, Cheri. 

Kathy really knows how to put a party together.  She was the one who spearheaded this party. Thanks, Kathy!!!

Now...how often to you see the president of a university on a horse!!!

Like father like son.  Cobi ran all over the place on Ruby.  He sure knows how to ride!

Everett and Marci enjoying the day.  By the way...it was a surprise party.

Here is a picture of their cake as well as pictures of their wedding day.

Cheri and Joy setting the tables and getting ready for dinner.  

Just enjoying the food!

A little time together as a family.  Of course Cobi was out riding dirt bikes!

Pastor Joe and Dawn Marie Colaw are in the picture above.  Joe is the senior pastor at First Wesleyan Church here in Bartlesville.  These two are GREAT people!

Here is some of what we had.  Grilled salmon, potatoes, fruit salad, grilled bread, sausage...good stuff.

On the right is our chef, Mark (he is in charge of the buildings and grounds at OWU).  Talk about a guy who can cook!  He made a fabulous meal. Siting at the counter are Brett (Vice President for Academic Program Development) and his wife, Tammy.  In the yellow shirt is Randy (Vice President for Development) and his wife Sherry.

So...as the sun set and we all went our separate ways, we remembered a great 25 years for the Pipers and the great celebration time we all had together.

President's Advisory Council

We had a great time with 16 Wesleyan pastors from the western region of the US.  These are some SHARP guys who have a heart for OWU.  They all came to spend some time on campus. I wish I could have spent a week with them. They were full of great ideas and just fun to be with.

On the right in the grey sweater is Dr. Everett Piper, the President of OWU.

Campfire Dinner

Tonight we decided to do some Dutch oven cooking.  Josh is getting ready to get the food going.

We have some who simply watch...

The coals are looking good.

Time for some smores!