Summer Nebraska Visit

We love a summer visit to Nebraska to enjoy cooler weather and time with family.

We made the drive to Nebraska all in one day. I grew up with long road trips so 14 hours doesn't phase me much. The kids are super troopers and completely content with hours of DVDs. (One of the many bonuses of a low media household!) They also love some of their special road-trip-only snacks. We found some wireless headphones so Brad and I didn't even get shushed during the drive!

The kids love time on the farm. They especially enjoy driving the gator and time with the animals.

Brad enjoys fitting in as much golf as possible while he is off of work and was able to golf each day of our visit!

Long-time friends Jesse and Ty joined him for a round of golf Monday night.
Anthony joined them for supper.

Karter loves a chance to golf with Uncle Brad. Brad did a good job coaching both boys
I love the laid-back prairie golf course in town.

Lots of fun with...

Knex

Cards

Wii Sports

The Hideout

Chalk Drawing

Special Evening of S'mores and Fireworks

The kids make such good memories and absolutely love coming here.

Thanks for your hospitality Grandma and Grandpa!

Quickest Family Picture Session Ever...

Before what I like to call Stahl version of The Berenstain Bears Too Much Vacation Day...

We headed to see the air show in Cheyenne. I should mention this is about 1 1/2 hours from the Sr. Stahl's house, just to help you comprehend the magnitude of the day...

The kids were thrilled to finally ride a school bus, which was our shuttle after we arrived at a parking lot in Cheyenne.

School bus ride! Yay!

And just as we find a spot through the crowds, get our chairs unpacked and sit down...they announce that the show has been cancelled due to weather. 

Pack 'Em Back Up

Waiting On The Shuttle Bus To Come Back

And since we are annoyingly optimistic, we decide to continue the day's plan of heading up to the mountains so our kids can have their first-ever mountain experience...I mean the weather forecast on our phone says there is 100% chance of rain but our hotel rooms are nonrefundable...so away we go. Apparently I'm still working on that whole "learning to dance in the rain" thing (literally and figuratively in this case...), so you may detect a hint of a curmudgeonly attitude for this visit...

Areal Tram. You cannot tell but it is pouring rain.
No, I don't look while I'm in that thing.

Karter and Makin feeding the chipmunks.
He came and took a peanut right out of their hands.

Proud Explorer. Don't you just love that gorgeous mountain background?

Well, since the chipmunks won't take my peanuts...I'll just have a little snack...
At least its gorgeous lighting for pictures.

Hannah looking too grown up and beautiful.
Grandma staying cheerful in the cloud.

C'mere Chipmunk....

Karter and Makin loved exploring together.
I imagine this will be a really special memory for Makin, despite the lack of view.

At least this chipmunk isn't full or hiding from the rain... ;)

After supper near the stream we did manage to get a cute cousins pic!

Treasured these cousins having fun in the pool.

Thanks for a fun visit Stahl family!

Trampoline Park with Auntie Di, Swim Time, Dates

We enjoyed meeting up with Auntie Di at Altitude. She likes to take the kids for one "summer fun" item. She and I got to catch up while the kids jump and we all enjoyed her yummy chocolate chip cookies. Only problem is now we like Altitude way better than the trampoline park closer to home. ;)

We have been in search of some indoor fun to deal with the Texas heat. We found another really great free play area for the 3rd grade class get together.

A few swim time shots...

Makin stands with legs out, Lorelei goes under and lifts him up.
As you can tell they are quite proud of this "trick."

July Dates

The boys headed to Ninja Warrior for their date. We decided to get a pass for 5 visits for Makin so this will be a bit more common this year.

Almost got it!
Apparently he did touch the top once but couldn't get it again,
which he was not happy about. Good to have goals for when he goes back!

Lorelei requested a Krispe Kreme date.

Nana's Summer Visit

We always look forward to Nana spending some time visiting us in the summer.

We swam and had a carousel ride and treats at the mall.

Mom and I headed to Waco to check out Magnolia Market because my Auntie Marilyn and Uncle Brian are visiting Texas and it seemed like a fun chance to meet up. Mom and I stood in line 30 minutes for cupcakes. Yes they were yummy, but I will not go back in July on a Saturday if I have any say! Fall weekdays are much more enjoyable!

30 Minute Wait For Best. Frosting. Ever.

Delicious Shiplap Cupcake

Sunday movie night with movie boxes. :) Nana chose Dreamer, which Brad and I have in our DVD stash and the kids hadn't seen it yet. This summer we have been having a fun mix for movie nights, including some that are now a great fit because these kids are so old!






We took Nana to see Critterman at the library before heading to a church with a huge (free) Treefort. Mom met a childhood friend there and they got to visit over coffee while the kids played. We hope to go back for a fun home school day!

Love reactions to Critterman's animal facts!

If you look closely you can see Nana and her friend in the coffee shop out the window!

Thankful we packed paper airplane supplies,
they were a hit for every boy there!

We had to make sure the girls fit in chips and salsa on Mexican Monday!

We finished up her visit with S'mores at the lake and of course captured the bedtime reading.

They have missed their sand and water time!

Thanks for the visit Nana!

Studio Movie Grill, Art and Baking Camp, Jack Carter Pool

Studio Movie Grill
A $1 movie seemed like a great way to chill after being up late for the fireworks! Horton Hears A Who was the movie playing that week so it was a great movie fit for us!













Art and Baking Camp
Lorelei loved the idea of having our own art camp, and while I was up for finding a fun craft for the girls, I knew it would seem extra special if we had a certain artist come to lead the craft time...Mrs. Britton (our forever favorite art teacher!) was willing to come and lead the girls through an art project! And boy was she more creative than I would have been! The girls used white canvas shoes to create their own wearable artwork. They loved it!

We had an easy Little Caesars and fruit kbob lunch before Brittany took over the baking portion of the day!

These two had a blast playing all things boy like nerf guns and legos
and even ate in their own "boy area" during lunch. So thankful M has a friend like Charlie.

Savannah loves to bake, so when I mentioned doing our own camp, Brittany like the idea of having a baking portion she knew Savannah would love. She braved making not one, but TWO baked items with the girls. They made S'mores Pie Pops and Banana Boats. Yum!

Jack Carter Pool
Months ago a friend from last summer's Bible study told me about this pool and we planned to make sure to attend this event with Waters Edge Frisco women's group. This pool has some amazing features and and the kids had a blast! We had fun with friends on the lazy river, slides, a deep pool platform for jumping and a flow rider. This is definitely a must-do summer activity!

Our Independence Day Celebration

We enjoyed the day prepping for the evening after a morning grocery run. I finally got a chance to paint my toe nails, we put on some festive tattoos, and Lorelei let me fix her hair special. We also read History of Fun Stuff The Explosive Story of Fireworks, which was awesome because it taught us the history as well as a bit of the science behind fireworks. We had all the yummy July 4th "musts" for our family for supper. This of course, meant Brad was grilling.

Patriotic Pancakes for Lunch

The kids were floored to stay up late for the fireworks. The day before Lorelei kept saying, "I can't believe they don't start until 9:30. Start at 9:30!!!" This girl is such a fan of holidays, its really fun. She loves all the prep work and excitement with any holiday. I loved that this year she also knew more about the history of what we were celebrating. "I used to think it was just for fun, but now I know its because they signed The Declaration of Independence." :)

Our town fireworks are at the lake. We were not thrilled about the idea of the crowds, but really like to be up-close if we are going to deal with the parking lot afterwards. We found decent seats in the grass close to the lake and were completely shocked how packed with people the sand was. Then some groups took down their tents and left so a great spot opened up on the sand. Lorelei was adamant that we should have seats in the sand and we were really glad she convinced us to move. It was a great fireworks show!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Fourth!