More Visual Aids for Nebraska

Gramps likes to call Desmond and Jaxter the "Stereo Brothers" for obvious reasons. (If you can't think of why, just imagine two little ones crying or yelling for excitement at the same time and you'll get the idea.) Well, while we were traveling to and fro in the big Suburban the girls and our boys would engage in what I like to call "everyone is doing it so I will too" behaviors, such as this:

Exclusive video of the Stereo Brothers performing with the Surround Sound Sisters. Unfortunately for the other passengers, this was not an isolated performance. =)

This is another fun video. Jaxter playing with MegaBlocks at the Children's Museum. He still does this when building with leggos.

Nebraska: Abridged

We rolled into Nebraska late Sunday night. Monday morning dawned with excitement as we had been prepping Desmond about his imminent introduction to Sylvia, Evelyn and Mezzo (the chocolate lab). We then sent Nathan and Marc out on a Father's Day outing to have a childless lunch and go folfing. (Yes, Folfing.)

Tuesday we spent the morning visiting the local homestead monument and the education center (read: small museum) that is associated with it. I love this era and was disappointed only because I was unable to read all the exhibits due to the small child chaos that needed constant supervision. I decided right then that my million dollar idea would be to tour all the museums and education centers in the world and document them in their entirety on DVD to sell to parents who visit said centers with small children and hence are unable to read all the exhibits. The afternoon was spent on the swingset out back and dodging the garden hose spray. Tuesday evening I was bribed with DQ to babysit while the rest of the adults went to band rehearsal. I think I actually came out on top with that deal. =)

These phones were a hit with all the kids: they had homesteaders telling their stories so the kids all sat and talked on the phone with strangers. =)

The posse makin' a break for it!

Wednesday we trekked it North to go to the Children's Zoo. This zoo, while not large in scale, is great for kids. They have little barn animals to feed and an exhibit area with little animals to pet (turtles, rabbits, etc). They also have a butterfly house where we caught a butterfly and touched it, Desmond was very excited, Jaxter was somewhat oblivious. =) The highlight of the zoo, for the boys, was the train that circles the entire zoo...twice! The afternoon was slept away by the boys and then we had more water play as we "washed" the cars - we went through all the motions of washing the cars: water, soap, sponges but in the end they were just as dirty as when we started. =) The boys thought is was fun, though, especially Jaxter.

A couple of the small animals that they got to pet.

More and more we see Jaxter's personality coming out: one of those traits is fearlessness. As all the kids watched a peacock strut by from a safe distance, Jax decided to try and catch the thing! He would have, too, if it hadn't ducked in a nearby fence.

Waiting, oh so patiently, for the zoo train.

"Washing" cars.

Thursday we spent time outdoors "hiking" (that term is used very loosely in this Nebraska setting). The boys loved the bridges that we encountered on our walk. Julie had to head into work for awhile so it was 3:4 parent kid ratio but we managed ok utilizing piggy backs, shoulder rides and a stroller. =) If we learned anything this week it was how busy busy little people really are! =) Thursday night we made a camp fire and roasted marshmallows. We spent a late night watching the fire die out and having in depth conversations about all the ways we would change the world: if only someone would put us in charge! ;)

Jaxter examining the fire.

Desmond roasting a marshmallow.

Friday was going to be a great day: Julie and I planned a girl's day in the big city. Lunch, movie, shopping! But, unfortunately, half way through lunch I started feeling unwell and we had to head home. I spent the rest of the day on the couch feeling completely lousy!

Saturday morning I was still very much under the weather so the rest of the clan headed out to the Children's Museum leaving me in bed to (quietly) recuperate. The museum was awesome (from what I hear). The boys had a blast and wore themselves out! They took the latest nap ever that day! I emerged from the dungeon for dinner and while not feeling even 80% I was able to, at least, be among the living again. =)

One of the displays at the museum.

Sunday we got to attend church with Nathan and Julie. Desmond had a good time in the 2 year old Sunday School. We spent a lazy Sunday with pizza dinner (Julie's parents joined us). After pizza we headed to the park and watched the concert with Marc playing a solo piece accompanied by the band conducted by Nathan (unknowingly aided by Desmond in the audience) with Julie in the percussion section. We only made it through Marc's piece (not even half way done with the concert) before the boys got restless (and loud) and we headed home for bedtime.

On our way to church: someday he'll have to choose! =)

Monday we prepped to go home, a sad day. We had such a good time with Nathan and Julie catching up, chatting, comparing parenting notes, playing with kids and laughing. It was hard to leave. Not only because we didn't really want to but because our air conditioner in the car broke: Nathan's friend just happened (thanks, God) to be a car air conditioning specialist and he came over and fixed a problem that turned out to be a 7 dollar fix versus the original 600 dollar problem they suspected. Praise the Lord for small (and big) provisions.

Some last water play.

Most likely the most frequent activity while in Nebraska.

All in all (even with illness considered) it was a great week. We played in the water a lot, we went to several parks, we swang a lot, we got to hear Dad play saxophone, we made two great friends named Sylvia and Evelyn (otherwise known as Sylev and Evsyl by their father) and we got used to having a dog around. By the end of the week Desmond would tell Mezzo "No, thank you!" instead of screaming and running that was induced by an unfortunate introduction on the first day. Jaxter always just pushed Mezzo out of his way. The boys even got to give doggie treats to Mezzo. A good lesson to learn. =)

The gang's all here!

Iowa Part 2

Back to the story.....

Thursday in Iowa was Grandma day. My grandma drove up to spend the day with us. It was wonderful to see her and she was very generous and treated us to lunch at my favorite spot: Panera Bread. Yum. (No, Tressa, its not French fare by far, but as far as this Wyomingite is concerned its gourmet!) =) We took the boys on the carousel, which they both enjoyed, then took the boys to the local play area to burn off their Panini and chat with Grandma. After saying good-bye to Grandma and having a nice nap we headed to Sharon and Steve's house for a cooking adventure. We made chicken pesto paninis from scratch - YUM! I stayed with the group to attend Bible Study while Marc took the boys home for bath and bed.



Friday we had the great joy of having a full day play date with Sharon (and Elise), Tressa and out of the blue our good friend Tara showed up with her two princesses in tow! What a fabulous (wink to Julie) day! =) Marc was gone helping the wedding party.

The girls hangin'.

Kids hangin'. =)

Friday night we had the privilege of attending a delicious rehearsal dinner thanks to a tremendous favor of babysitting from Scott and Tressa. It was so fun to participate in an adult dinner party. I don't think that poop or 'the pottie' was ever brought up in the conversation! What a breath of fresh air. =)

Saturday was THE day. Bobby and Andrea tied the knot and we were so thrilled to be a part of their big day. Marc pulled off a great prank that wiped the bride's smile right off her face until she realized it was a joke. If you want to read the story and see the picture (scroll down to the pic of Marc and look at the bride in the background) visit the Gehman Photography Blog. Tressa was gracious to sacrifice her evening and go to the wedding with me to coral little boys. Jaxter made it through the processional and then lost interest and went to play outside with Tressa. Desmond lasted the whole ceremony and now, whenever he sees people kissing (or animals) he says: "getting married!" =)

Little boys all dressed up for the big day.

At the reception. Thanks to a favor from Tressa, I was able to attend the reception for awhile and dance a little with my husband, which was great fun.

Sunday brought a *little* stress as we tried to clean the house, pack all our belongings and run last minute errands all while tending to two little ones. We then attended a luncheon with the bride and groom and eventually made our way out of town toward Nebraska and (surprise!) more thunderstorms. Check back soon for the Nebraska chapter of our great summer tour!

A big shout of THANKS to all our Iowa friends who went out of their way to help us, host us and visit with us. We appreciate you all and the time we had together. Thanks a literal million to Scott and Tressa who fed us, opened their house to us and babysat for us while we were so busy.