Mack to Oklahoma

We had one exciting surprise Christmas gift this year - for his experience Mack got to go to Oklahoma City to see the Thunder play. We landed and went for a drive in our old neighborhood.  This was our old house.

Many things looked the same but I was struggling to remember where things were due to all the new construction.  From Yukon we headed to Norman to go to the U of O natural history museum per Mack's request.

They had some spectacular dinosaur skeletons. 

Isn't that incredible?!

We took our last pictures of Mack in the dinovador on our way out of the museum and back towards OKC.  We caught dinner at Earl's BBQ a fav of ours back in the day and it didn't disapoint.  Then we went to visit Mike and Ilene Moseby to catch up.  We hadn't seen them since the day we left Oklahoma in 2004 but it was like old times talking and laughing together. 

We stopped by the memorial on our way to the hotel and I was amazed yet again by the beauty and imagery created there.  It is a powerful monument to those lost that day.

The next morning we caught service at First Nazarene with Jason and then got to see his office full of Jason's prized possessions and memorabilia.  He was incredibly generous and gave Mack a Shai rookie card - Mack's favorite player and name sake of our cat.  He also gave us tips and hints about getting Shai's signature.

Ironically we left the cold of Idaho to see some of the worst OKC has to offer.  Windchill making it feel like 2 degrees and snow as we ran into the stadium to wait to be let in.  Thankfully we arrived when we did because the people who arrived 15 mins later were waiting outside.

Here we are in the shelter of the entrance waiting our turn to go in.

Mack and other fans watching warm ups and waiting for Shai to come by.

Mack is on that screen...can you see him?

Shai signing autographs.

Can you see Mack?  He got his jersey signed.  I'd say it was a pretty awesome Christmas present that just got better as we watched an amazing game.

I made this sign but we never got on the big screen with it😢

The Celtics were ahead at half but in the last quarter of the game the Thunder pulled out the pressure for an intense game and a win.

We ended the night with a three hour dinner with Jason, Katie and their girls.  The time flew by for the adults but I'm sure the kids were relieved when Jason called it a night.  I could have chatted for several more hours.  Love those guys.

We caught an early flight out the next morning and without much turnaround time Mack hopped in his car and headed back to school.  It was a quick trip full of old memories and new.