Dinosaur Day

 Dinosaur Valley State Park

We headed to check out some real dinosaur footprints as well as another dinosaur attraction nearby. This was on our summer bucket list, but the timing didn't quite work out. When I called they advised us come in August or September for the water to be the lowest. We have had a fairly wet summer, so the tracks were all still underwater. We plan to keep an eye out the next several years and go back when the river is lower. We really enjoyed taking a family day trip. We realized during this little jaunt that this doesn't happen nearly enough and we hope to start taking more of them!

We continued down the sandy path, and originally chose to pass this site by looking from afar...

When the sandy path ran out before we found The Ballroom Site, we decided it had to be just around those rocks...we off-roaded it in flip flops for quite a while before turning back. We are all for exploring and hiking, but our goal this particular day was putting our feet in a dinosaur print...so I was getting a bit frustrated at the lack of signs for the various print sites. The guy at the front desk made it sound much simpler to find the sites along the path.

So, by golly, I decided we were going out to the middle of the river even if we fall in because it is so slippery! (This was my just-in-case-we-cant-get-to-the-ballroom-site plan.)

So you can see it was not exactly a great spot to get into the river, and Lorelei and Brad (the clumsier two of the family) were not tolerating my desire to step in a print. The closest comparison the slippery surface I can come up with is an ice-rink. It was crazy. Makin got out there with me and stopped and said, "I wish I wouldn't have come out here."

We made it!!!
(I held my cell phone high in the air hoping I could save it if I fell in.
But I had to be able to capture the moment!)

Brad's view with the fancy camera.

Then we finally drove the car to another location to help us get to The Ballroom Site. They call it that because there are so many prints different directions it looks like the dinosaurs were dancing. :)

This girl does NOT like to be on any unsteady surface,
so she mustered up a lot of courage to get out there in the print and I think she was glad she did!

There were little fish swimming and the kids loved watching them.

These dinosaurs were at the entrance and the kids just thought they looked cool.
While I took a few pictures Brad read up and added some history, which made them way cooler!
They were made for the 1964-1965 World's Fair and were quite the show back then!
(See World's Fair Wonders below this for more details.)

Dinosaur World

We grabbed a quick lunch and then headed to Dinosaur World for the afternoon.

There are several attractions in this small town to go along with the tracks, but thankfully a friend had gone a while back and mentioned she thought Dinosaur World was the best choice. We had such a great time.

There was a small museum we loved checking out.

We had a fossil dig activity. The kids sifted through sand and could choose three items to keep.

There were various shark teeth along with several other small fossils. The kids loved choosing which three they thought were the most special.

Then we walked the path for the various dinosaur replicas, which also had information to read about the dinosaur you were looking at.

There was a pond to feed some fish half-way through the walk.

We narrowly escaped the T-Rex

Then the kids got to play in a giant sandbox and uncover dinosaur bones.

There were some unruly preschoolers throwing sand so this didn't last as long as we thought it might.

Then we picked up our Dino Gem bags, which they were super-excited about.

The bag was full of dirt, with some unknown gems inside it. They dumped it in a tray to sift it out in the water. It was so fun seeing their reactions as they discovered the various gems. They loved looking through these and trying to identify them that night and the following day.

(There was a gem list with pictures they got with their bag.)

It was such a great time as a family and the perfect day-trip!

September Happenings

We enjoyed Heather and Mom visiting over Labor Day weekend for the parties. Lorelei especially loves time with Lou.

Lou hanging out with a possie of stuffed pups. ;)

Going for a walk! 

Lunch Out

Always love Nana reading time!

"Finally! A bench!"
Apparently Aunt Heather wore Makin out on her run!
Didn't think that was possible!

We had some gorgeous weather where we had to sneak in some outside time.

Climbing Trees At The Library

Checking out the wake boarders.

"Zipline Park"

Calm moment during a quick trip to the lake after school.

Friends At The Lake
(Forgot to take the pic till on our way out!)

The school picnic was a great chance to catch up with GCA families. The kids ran around with their friends and played the water balloon activities. We enjoyed visiting with several families.

Robyn, Amelia, Makin

Mallory, Jaedynn, Lorelei and Maddie

This month has been keeping us so busy but we are feeling so blessed!

Makin at 7

Hamming It Up.
(Which he seems to do a lot at this age.)
He found a rock painted like a pizza slice in the stream.

Makin at 7 you...

Are a complete sweet heart, with more patience than anyone else in the family.

Are a great leader, and also know how to respect other people's opinions.

Love all things science. You love doing experiments. Your brain loves to problem-solve and figure things out.

Think robots are super-cool and want to invent your own.

Still know just when Mommy needs a hug.

Like speed and action.

Spend most of your spare time playing Legos.

Caught A Frog In The Pool

Want to try all sports. You are likely trying golf next followed by baseball. You love to watch the Husker football games with your dad. I'm always amazed how much you know about the games.

Prefer math and science when it comes to school, writing is your least favorite subject.

Love to be funny.

Love cats.

Have great facial expressions.

Pray from your heart. Your genuine prayers make my heart melt. Mrs. White noticed too. "He has such a heart for the Lord." This was was her comment when talking about your prayers at school.

Quotes:

"Did your heart tell your brain?"

"I was off by a teenth!" (Discussing that Mother's Day was May 14th and Makin said the 4th)

"I'm so hungry I could eat two cars!"

"Ugh. My name is a rule-breaker!"

"How much train fat is it?"






(After filling up with gas at the gas station...)
Makin: 34 dollars!? Oh my GOSH! I am NOT getting a car. I'm getting a motorcycle. Or a truck.
Me. Trucks are worse.
Makin: Ok. I'm getting a pogo stick.
Me: What about when you have kids?
Makin: They will have their own pogo sticks.

"I'm as full as a cucumber!"

"It's a compliment. Not a disclament."

Makin: It ain't?
Me: Ain't?!? Where did you get that from?
Makin: Hank (as in, The Cowdog)

(Hungry-for-lunch kids, errand running)
Makin: Just so you know, you are risking our lives for library books.
Me: Well, at least you aren't dramatic.
Makin: I'm being realistic.

Me: Kids shouldn't have caffeine because it keeps them from growing like they should.
Makin: Did your parents give you caffeine when you were a kid then?

"I'm carbed out." (Lately this is said at least once a week.)

Me: How to you spell Robyn's last name?

Makin: I don't know, I'm only seven!

Me: Thats a big bowl of grapes.

Makin: I know. I ate you out of house and home with them.

Makin's Seven Year Interview
Favorites -
Food: Mac N Cheese
Place: (This one was a doosy to get an answer for) Main Event
Movie/TV Show: Nexo Knights and Dude Perfect
Color: Green
Thing To Do: Build with Legos
Animal: Cat
Books: Piggie and Gerald and Magic Tree House
Song: Nexo Knights Theme Song
Treat: Reeses Pieces or Reeses Peanut Butter Cup
Holiday: Christmas

What do you like to do with Daddy? Build

What do you like to do with Mommy? Cuddle

What do you like to do with Lorelei? Play Puppy and Kitty

What makes you happy? Cuddling with Sea Horsey

What do you think about before you fall asleep? The next day.

What do you want to be when you grow up? An electrical and robotical engineer

Lorelei at 9

This girl so loves her pool time!

Lorelei at 9 you...

Love swimming. You would swim every day if you could. You often pretend to be a dolphin.

Want to be constantly socializing. You love time with friends and think life should be a constant play date. You still say you are friends with your entire class. This is a great group of kids so I am thankful you feel that way.

Like creating things, especially to decorate.

Love reading.  You really took off over the summer and if you have any down-time around the house, you head off to read a book. Right now you are into any animal rescue book you can get your hands on. You also like many various American Girl books.

Still have a great love for dogs are persistent on asking for a dog of your own. Since you have not made any headway with that goal after about 8 years of asking, you currently have aspirations to start a dog training business or the like. First you have to prove to your mom you will clean up after these dogs...

Often have great practical suggestions and ideas. I definitely appreciate this and it is a great life skill. This also leads to many long discussions when you are attempting to persuade us into doing something you want.

Keep us on our toes with your moods. This is something that I am daily trying to work on with you.

Still prefer English and Writing over your other subjects. Math is still your biggest struggle. This year Spelling is moving into second with some tricky words for 3rd grade.

Ask what feels like literally a million questions a day.

Still talk a mile-a-minute constantly. Unless you are asleep or reading. ;)

Love to Laugh.

Quotes:
"They said I was NICE. But that's a banned adjective! Blehhhh!" (Referring to her list in her school writing book. They have a list of banned adjectives you are not supposed to use in your writing...as in, its not even a compliment because its a banned adjective!)

"I think he knows that if he is funny it encourages us to do things better." (About her tumbling coach)

(Explaining her injured leg to her dad...)
"You know when there is a curb and you don't see it?"

"Look! A weeping willie!!!" (word goof for weeping willow)

"Send the mosquitoes to me! I have a way with animals!"

(Mad) "I'm glad you taught me how to fold my arms!"

"The older you get the dreadfuller it will be." (referring to the number of bites to take of a food you don't want)

"How did he get so mannerable???" (as in, having manners...)

"Act proper!" (Anytime we see a cop)

Me: We call it acorn park.
Lorelei: It's actually called Mustache Park.
Makin: You mean Beard Park!
(The park is really Beard Park, so the mustache thing was hilarious...hope you get this if you weren't there!)


Lorelei's Nine Year Interview

Favorites -
Food: Spaghetti
Place: The Pool
Movie/TV Show: Moanna
Color: Pink and Purple
Thing To Do: Read
Animal: Dog
Books: Puppy Place, Dog Diaries, Horse Diaries, and The American Girl Mysteries and books
Song: All of the songs off of Moanna and songs by Jewel
Treat: Cake and Ice Cream
Holiday: Christmas

What do you like to do with Daddy? Dates, especially getting donuts

What do you like to do with Mommy? Read Books

What do you like to do with Makin? Play Puppies and Kitties

What makes you happy? Reading, being outside, drawing

What do you think about before you fall asleep? What I'm going to do the next day.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a Marine Biologist and work at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Makin Turns Seven

Makin had a great time celebrating his birthday!

Thursday Birthday Treats
He and Charlie's birthdays are only 4 days apart so they brought school treats together this year.
Krispe Kreme made footballs just for us! Yum!

Somehow we now have the tradition of putting their birthday gifts in their rooms while they are sleeping so that they wake up and see the gifts first thing the morning of their birthday.

Eating Breakfast While Building

Makin was soooo excited about his gifts, he didn't even want to have breakfast in bed. He wanted to eat it on the floor while he started putting together his Lego Fortrex. This gift was something he has wanted for over a year, so it was pretty exciting.

His original birthday request was to go to a roller rink, but I found out they were closed that day, so he chose to just stay home and work on the Fortrex all day. He started at 6:30 that morning, took a break to go out to lunch (pizza) and then worked some more, taking a break for his birthday dessert. He got finished right around 5 o clock and was so excited to play with the completed project. (Roughly 9 hours of working time...) The next day he build with his new Knex all day when he wasn't doing his school work. :)

His birthday supper tends to be somewhat unpredictable. This year it was macaroni and cheese (no surprise) with popcorn shrimp and red lobster biscuits. His birthday dessert choice was dirt. (I feel like I got off easy on the cakes this year!!!)

Proud Of His Day's Work!

Happy Birthday to our awesome 7 year old!!!

Lorelei Turns Nine

Because you usually forget to open presents on your birthday
...she made sure to make a list of what to do that morning! ;)
No idea where she gets this list-making stuff...

Lorelei's birthday was quite the combo this year because it was the same day as the parties. We debated for quite a while about having the party on her actual birthday, but it was the best day for everyone and Lorelei had no qualms about it messing with our usual birthday plans.

This year she chose saltwater taffy for her school treat.
I am totally on board with this becoming a yearly tradition! ;)

We started the morning bright and earlier than usual because the kids were sooooo excited. She opened gifts and then had breakfast in bed. This year we had powdered donuts. She was over-the-moon excited because she got all the gifts she wanted and more! (This is because she really only asked for two things! These two requests were a Kindle and mermaid fin. She assumed she would only get one because she didn't know Grandma and Grandpa would send a Kindle!)

The puppy toy is from Makin. If this girl plays pretend, it is to be a puppy. So, we shouldn't be surprised that is what she would want as a gift. He also got her a book. This was the first year they discussed getting each other gifts, which they purchased for each other with their own money. Made my heart happy.

Before we knew it it was party time. :) (Previous post...)

When the last guests left we had to head straight to the pool so she could try out her mermaid fin. This was a great way for her to unwind after the excitement of the day and get some special time with mom in the pool.

Side note on the mermaid fin: It is awesome! She swims like a pro with it and absolutely loves it!

Then she and Makin got to open their gifts from Nana and Aunt Heather before her traditional favorite supper of...you guessed it! Spaghetti!!! :)






Then she had her third cupcake of the day, because, why not right!? What else are you supposed to do when you have two parties on your birthday!? :)

Happy Birthday to our sweet 9 year old!