Fittin' In More Fun

Pool Time

We enjoyed a few more Cove days with fewer crowds after school started.

Corn Husking

We loved having some Nebraska corn the Sr. Stahls sent home with us!

Bunny Lovin'

Lorelei loved spending some time at Violet's house while they were pet-sitting for a friend. She had fun with the bunny and walked the dogs as well.

Nebraska Football

It's Husker football season so our football Saturdays have begun! 

Funday Fridays

One perk we are prioritizing is a 4 day school week. This means the kids have to work extra hard those four days of the week, but it's very doable and I'm so excited for the extra day to fit in adventures!

Most of the time this will be Friday, but we may have an occasional different day of the week for special field trips etc.

Our first Funday Friday was pretty simple, Target, shakes, and a library run. The following Friday was a visit to the stream where the kids caught some minnows to put in Lorelei's extra tank. (She bought a larger tank for her fish at a garage sale, so naturally, the old tank should be used for some wild fish. They plan to return them to the stream in a couple of weeks.)

Kicking Off The School Year - 8th and 6th

How in the world do we have an 8th grader and a 6th grader!? You may as well accept that I'm going to say that every year. It's a tradition by this point. ;)

There is a big change for us this school year as both kids are being homeschooled! (Audible gasp while you all pray that they won't turn out socially awkward... ;))

We have been contemplating this idea for 8th and 6th for quite some time now as it got put in my head several years ago that we could enjoy the chance to have a more flexible schedule before we are worrying about all the stresses that can come along with high school. We had hoped to do extra traveling this year as well. Although we likely won't get to do all the travels we had hoped, we are definitely going to do as much local travel and experiences as we can fit in! It has been a lot of fun choosing our curriculum this year and we are enjoying diving in!

And of course, picture time!

First Day Ice Cream!

Summer Nebraska Visit

 As the summer wraps up it means it is time for us to head north to visit our Nebraska family!

We started out the trip this year stopping off in the panhandle for a night at the Bohlmann B and B.

The kids looked with Papa at some places from his Germany stories using Google Earth.

Then we headed to Colorado to visit Brad's long-time friend Dennis and his family. 

We took in a small museum because we were in need of a stop. Always love a good museum!

Investigating a broom maker.

It was SO great to get a chance to see Dennis and Raechel's new(ish) house and meet their two sweet girls, as well as catch up on life!

Elated to spend time with their horses.

The next morning we enjoyed the hotel pool, tried out a park, and couldn't pass up a chance to be outdoors in Colorado wading (and in the kids case swimming) into a stream.

I spy Lorelei and Makin, do you? ;)

Then it was off to Nebraska! We always enjoy family time, farm time, and small-town living time.

She was sure hoping for kittens and spent each day cuddling them.

Grandpa made his own corn hole boards and we enjoyed playing several evenings.

These two. :) Every chance they got this is what they were doing.

Always love the gator time.

Checking out one of the latest restaurants in town and visiting with Aunt Christy and Uncle Tom.

Duckpin Bowling!

Loved this mural!

Shooting off some of Brad's old rockets.

We took in a horse show per Lorelei's request.

Brad enjoyed catching up with Jesse for a few minutes one afternoon.

Aunt Sarah's pool!

Grandpa made sure we got our beloved sweet corn!

Kittens and books!

We added a field trip day onto our visit as we were traveling to visit with some more extended family as well as take in a balloon festival. Our first Oregon Trail stop was Chimney Rock!

One of my favorites of the museum, How much can you take in the wagon?

Ice cream for lunch!

We took in some scenic views at Scottsbluff National Monument,

We found another museum gem with a variety of local history.

The telegraph office was a favorite.

The Shrinking World Of Technology - awesome display

Couldn't resist... ;)

I just loved how creatively they displayed the clothes from the various eras!

Chilly waiting for the balloons.

We were sad not to see the balloons up close but still loved a chance to visit with family!

Brad and Grandpa opted to stay home and...wait for it...golf! ;) 

Brad was excited to golf in the local golf tournament again this year. He played on two teams again, a cousin team in the morning and then a team with Grandpa, Makin, and Pam (a friend of Grandpa's from church). He managed to fit in 79 holes of golf in four days and sure did love it.

The picture is "the cousin" team with the team they play with in the morning.

Saturday after the balloon festival we drove Makin to play in the tournament in the afternoon.

They play both Saturday and Sunday and have so much fun. :)

We finally found time for Runza on the drive home. Yum!

Thanks for a great visit Grandma and Grandpa!