Stahl Family Weekend

We drove a couple of hours to see the Stahl family over the weekend. Hannah and Karter were performing for DI (Destination Imagination) along with Aunt Sarah coaching Kater's team again this year. We always love a chance for Grandma and Grandpa to see most (Brooklyn stayed home with Shaun) of their grandchildren together.

Friday night we got to eat out with Grandma and Grandpa and then Grandpa swam with the kids for a bit before we had to get them to bed. Lorelei is still a little nervous to venture to the deep end without her floatie, but she came a long ways getting used to it on this visit. She loved having Grandpa swim out to the deep with her so she knew he would keep her safe if she got too tired to make it to the edge.

Looking at a Where's Waldo book first thing Saturday morning.

Saturday morning we headed to the DI performances right away, but had to divide and conquer as they were at the exact same time! Lorelei went with Grandma to see Hannah's and Grandpa, Brad, Makin and I went to see Karter's. He did a great job and had us laughing. :) Hannah's team did well too, and is able to continue to the DI World Competition in Tennessee in May.

Since it was only 9:30 a.m., we were thrilled to find a Starbucks on the college campus and then headed out with Grandma to check out a couple of local museums. Grandpa stayed at DI, as did Hannah, Karter and Sarah as they had more performances only for judges to see.

First we went to the Nebraska Firefighter's museum. It was small but it was fun seeing the fire trucks progress through the years. Makin particularly liked the children's truck that had a handle you could spin to make the siren. A very loud siren. Over and over again. :) We also saw some pictures of planes putting out fires with retardant just like Planes Fire And Rescue, and learned some other interesting facts!

Then we headed to the bridge we have driven under and the kids have been curious about seeing. It goes across I 80 and is a museum to teach you about the journey westward across the U.S., as it was a location along the Oregon Trail. The kids did enjoy it, but you really have to go at a slower pace to take it all in.

Brad and Grandma headed to DI while I took the kids to the hotel for a nap. After a rest, they were excited for swimming. Lorelei then swam 3 hours straight, took a break for supper, and then went back to swim for another 1 1/2 hours. Makin swam on and off during that time. I think the water was a little cold for his taste, but when his cousins and Grandma could add to the fun he was distracted and had a blast after supper. One thing I would like Lorelei to remember from her swimming that afternoon was a group of teenage girls who made an effort to include her in playing volleyball with them in the pool. I loved her getting a chance to see that kindness offered to her and helping her feel included.

Top: Playing Marco, Polo
Bottom: One, Two, Three (And later, Makin would just yell THREE!) and then jumping/swimming
between Grandma and Hannah

Then as if that wasn't enough, they woke up and were ready to swim a couple more hours Sunday morning. :)

It always makes me smile when Hannah and Karter are kind to their little cousins. During lunch they worked with them on a word puzzle while we waited for our food.

Thanks for a fun weekend!