Bickford Adventures

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Where have I been?

OSU vs. Texas game, on Halloween

OSU vs. Texas game

My beautiful babies!

Have you met my dad? Playing the air guitar at Cody's wedding.

My sweet brother and his sweet new wife.

My fabulous Mimi!

Yeah! Mr. and Mrs. Cody Eugene Rowan.

Self pic at the wedding.

My handsome husband and his vacation beard.

He is super cute.

Outside the amazing Gothic cathedral in Milan, Italy!

Gondolas in Venice, Italy

Our very special gondola ride in Venice, Italy.

Sunset in Vernazza in the Cinque Terre, Italy.

In front of the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge in Florence, Italy.

Walking the serene trails in the mountains where St. Francis spent many days meditating. Assisi, Italy.

In front of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea in Positano, Italy (my love!).

Walking the streets of magnificent Pompeii, Italy.

Outside the incredible Colosseum. Outstanding! Rome, Italy.

Man, I tell ya! Time sure does go fast these days. I know I was out of the country for some time and we have been out of town nearly every weekend but still...where did the summer go? Is it too late to ask that question? Okay, then...where did 2009 go?

When I think of the year 2009 as a whole it flew by, but when I think of everything I have done, everywhere I have been, and everything that has happened it actually seems quite lengthy. I traveled more this year than any other year. Snowboarding, Hawaii, Italy, and multiple trips to Stillwater, Grand Lake, Arkansas, and Kansas...and still Vegas and Colorado to come. There have been many monumental events...to name a few...Turning 25, Cody graduating, Cody getting married, my dear Papa passing (still not okay with that one..which may be why it seems lengthy. I am waiting for the day when his death does not bother me deeply...will that happen?).

So, anyway I guess I didnt even get a chance to blog about my favorite holiday, Halloween, which happened to fall on a home game against Texas so the entire stadium was orange. It was beautiful! So, of course I had to wear an orange costume and I went with the trusty ol' pumpkin. The same pumpkin costume that we have all worn at some point in our childhood. It used to go down to our ankles, now it barely covers my booty.

Anyway, above are a few pictures taken since the last post. Enjoy!

Friday, August 28, 2009

Can you smell it?

Cowboy football is in the air!!!!

Only 8 more days until the first home game!

I am just itching with excitement!

Pistol Pete is ready...

The Bickford's are ready...

Bullet is ready...

ARE YOU??!!

Watch out, those Cowboys are looking good!

Sadly, we will miss THREE WHOLE home games this season, but it is for a good cause. That cause is our three week Italian Holiday!! Say what?! Yeah, I am super excited! We would stay longer but we sort of need to be back for my little brothers wedding. =)

Cody and Shelley [taken by Joe Bickford]

On an unrelated note...

My little black boy turned ONE last week! Man, that year went by fast! But he is still just as fun and playful as that first day home!

Well my dear husband just got home and its time for our date so ....

SEE YA!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Four Amazing Years!!

Dear Chompsy...

Thank you for four fabulous years of marriage and the best eight and a half years of my life! You are amazing and I can't even believe how much I love you. You are the best husband and best friend in the history of best husband and friends. I never imagined life could be so perfect but thanks to you it is better than imagined. How can I ever repay you?

So, I love you and I will until death!

Love,

Sneaks

Thursday, March 26, 2009

In Loving Memory...

Evert Eugene Rowan

June 4, 1934- March 15, 2009

Just a few days ago my beloved Papa went to join Jesus in Heaven. It is a great feeling to know I will someday see him again, but it is also the hardest reality for me to grasp that I will no longer see him in this life. We are such a close family and I saw my Papa more than many see their own parents. I just keep imagining him shuffling through his house and being ornery as hell! I imagine him answering the phone every time I call and telling me he's "not doing a damn thing" and asking me when I was coming up next. Recently, he would sit in his favorite chair and throw a few comments out during conversations to get things stirred up. Especially if it had to do with OSU losing to OU.

I remember when I was younger that I was sometimes frightened by his rough and stern voice. He had very calloused hands and a coal black scratchy beard. But all it took was that ornery smile of his, his "full moon's", or a kiss on the cheek to let me know he was wrapped around each of our fingers. He was so loving and I loved it when he would get so excited or happy that when he tried to smile he would also tear up. Since he had a few strokes he had a bit of trouble controlling his emotions and it was a dead give-a-way that he was truly happy.

I am really really going to miss him. He is the only person that could turn the s-word into a term of endearment. Every time he saw one of us he would say "I love you!" and we would say "I love you MORE, Papa!" and he would say, "No you don't, you little shit!" And then we would all laugh. I know we have all sort of been expecting this time to come but I hate that it has happened and I hate that I have to wait a while to see him again. So, Papa watch over us and just know that...

I LOVE YOU MORE!!!

Dancin' at my wedding

So handsome, this was his favorite suit and he wore it to EVERY special occasion for the past 50 years.

As you can see, he also wore the suit to my sisters wedding.

Two of my favorite men!

Silly boys!

Papa sitting on my lap for a change.

The last picture I took with him. I love him.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

No title for this stuff.

Damn it feels good to be a gangster.

Yeah, I have a grill.

Sadly, my cousin Derek is moving...so I won him a going away present.

SAMS! Me, Rebecca (and her baby belly), Jacque, Ashlee

My sweethearts!

Joe

On top of the tallest lift in Colorado!

Jewel in concert

Sweet sweet babies

So, just got back from snowboarding in Colorado. Beautiful and sunny and fabulous. Unfortunately I hurt my back pretty good. In fact by the end of our 3rd day I couldn't even lift my legs up to get off the lift (Joe had to help) or bend over to strap in my board (Joe had to help with that too). So needless to say, 4th day didn't go so well. And the drive home was absolutely miserable because it hurt like hell to sit. The only comfortable position was standing. I about went crazy in the truck and to aid to the insanity I was watching 'The Shining', (now that is a weird movie) and reading 'Salems Lot. I was totally ready to get home and see my babies. I really missed them!

Not much else to report...