Trip To Nebraska

We were excited for an August visit to Nebraska. We love escaping the 100+ degree weather for bit and always have a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's farm. Brad enjoyed 6 days off in a row for the first time in a long time, and got to golf all four days we were there.

We had a bit of a rough start when we took our vehicle in to get a noise checked out, and were then told it wouldn't be ready until around noon the next day...when we planned to leave for NE at 6 am. We didn't want to wait around, so headed out as soon as the vehicle was fixed, and did have to stop for the night about 4 hours short of our full trip at 10:30 pm when the kids were still awake and it started raining. This was our first attempt at making the 13+ hour drive all in one stretch. We did make it on the way home, so I'm sure this will be the new norm! These kids were troopers happily watching DVDs! :) This is when it really pays to live in a tv free house!

We were greeted by Grandma and Grandpa, Sarah's family, Oreo, cats, a praying mantis and a goat. ;)

Two nights we enjoyed a bonfire. Yes, that is Grandma using a pitchfork to roast marshmallows. Loved the chance to be out enjoying the sunset too!

I've now been told that, "If you can reach the pedals you are 'old' enough to drive." by a fellow Nebraska farm boy. (Brad's old roommate.) Makin was certainly enjoying this idea with the Stahl's gator. His one request for Grandma was that the gator was charged...meaning the Little Tykes gator. He quickly learned it didn't have enough get-up-and-go after about 9 years of farm driving...so he moved on to the real thing, with someone older riding close beside him. Most of us took a turn riding with him. My experience ended up with me covered in dirt as he found it hilarious to try and gun it in the recently plowed up dirt. As I cautioned him at some point in driving I was told, "Stop being a backseat driver, Mom!"

One huge hit with all the kids (How in the world did I not get a picture with all the cousins in here Grandma!?!?!) was "the hideout". This is the batch of trees back behind the Stahls house and it was such a perfect place for them to fix up and make into a special spot. Lorelei could rake/sweep forever in here!

Grandma and Grandpa took Karter and Makin duckpin bowling. They had a great time!

We girls hung out before joining them for lunch.

Lorelei got to experience gathering eggs from the chicken coup with Hannah at Aunt Sarah's house.

Best. Roadside. Find. Ever.

Grandpa found this giant rectangular air padding, we speculate it was used for extra spaces in train cars and blew out of one.

Well, it works way better as entertainment for grand-kids.

This was my favorite night of the entire visit. It started out with Karter popping Makin into the air for quite some time.

Then Grandma thought it might slide on the wet grass. So they ran and slid over and over again.

The girls soon joined in on this fun. Then the cousins were all cheering for each runner while they waited their turn. Cousins and Grandma make great cheerleaders. :)

At one point the boys tried landing on it together...and you can see how that went!

Happy Kids.

Family Pictures!

Lorelei just adores being able to play with kittens and Oreo all day long. Grandma even lets her bring the kittens into the sunroom for short visits.

This particular day most of the family went into town to golf, but she and I hung out.

She even read a book to Oreo.

Makin, Hannah and Karter enjoying their golf outing.

Trampoline Fun. This evening Makin was wound up and when I was taking their picture he yelled, "BE BLURRY!!!!!!" while running and moving his arms around like crazy. Lorelei and I jumped together other days but I didn't take any pictures. :)

Makin is always up for a game to keep busy. He and grandma attempted Operation. As always he loved playing the wii as much as possible. They also took in the Olympics, which was nice for us to watch while we had the chance since we don't have cable at home. Lorelei enjoyed some chalk artwork with Brooklyn and Grandma one afternoon.

Grandma took us into town to check out the new swimming pool. The kids loved the lazy river the best. I didn't get a picture but they had a large floatie of Karters and loved falling off of it for fun. Loved the picture Grandma caught of Lorelei's face after coming down the big slide.

Grandpa took the kids on a little field trip to their cornfield in their garden close to home so they could see what it was like to pick corn. Then he sent home a huge boxful. What a treat!!!

We stopped off with a super-quick visit with Aunt Heather at Braums on the way home. :)

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for a wonderful visit!!!