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!

OWU Library Progress

Here are some pictures of the new OWU library.  This shot is from the first floor looking up to the second floor railing.  There will be seating along the rail so that students, staff, and faculty can sit and watch the activity taking place on the first floor.

The picture above shows the second floor and the library staff offices that are being framed in on the first floor.

This is a shot of the first floor looking toward the library staff offices.  The steps on the left go to the second floor and will be wooden steps with a glass background.  This allows those on the first floor to see through the steps and provides an open feeling.

This is another shot of the steps.  There will be tables and seating along the wall here.

This is a shot on the second floor.  The building you see is the sports center.  The area around the arches will have comfortable seating for reading and studying with a great view and wonderful natural light.

Tulsa Life Flight

As part of my EMT training, I had the chance to get ground crew training with Tulsa Life Flight. The helicopters they use are remarkable...8.5 million each.  This is a remarkable group that transports patients involved in accidents or other trauma to receive hospital care.  Above is a shot of the pilot's instruments.

Here is a shot of the back of the helicopter.  You can see the space for the flight nurse or EMT as well as the stretcher.  The helicopter  can also be configured to transport two patients if needed.

Here's a shot of the outside of the helicopter with someone from Collinsville Fire Department.  We did the training with them.  They are a great group!

Here is the helicopter landing.  The dust you see is from the rotor wash which can generate wind at 80-90 miles per hour.  Cover your eyes!

New Students Arriving At OWU

Yesterday we had the new freshman class arrive at OWU.  The campus was busy!  Above are some current student leaders welcoming each other back to campus.

This is Jamie...one of the admissions reps.  He is one of the team that has worked hard all year to get the freshman class to campus.

Above is our university photographer, Jess.  She was taking pictures all over the place yesterday!

Here are a few of the new students and families checking in for the first time.  It will be a great year!

A Night At The Green Country Rodeo

Joy and her friend Laren had a ring side seat to this event.  The Green Country Rodeo is a great event every year.  The food there is great too!

Josh and his friend Tom watch the cowboys get thrown off the bucking broncos!

All ages were at the rodeo.

A couple of friends having fun before the events started.

A Horseback Riding Night

It was a nice night to go out and ride.  What a fun night!!!