Spring Break Trip

Mimi and Papa made a visit for spring break, and took Avery and Amelia on a little get away to Port Aransas!  Both Avery and Amelia have visited beaches before, but this is the first they are likely to remember.  We received reports that both kiddos had a wonderful time, were well behaved, and were truly captivated by the simple offerings of a beach ecosystem.  Thanks Mimi and Papa!

PRE-TRIP FUN!

Releasing our butterflies.

TRIP FUN! 

Avery was brave enough to enter the water and attack the surf.  Amelia entered reluctantly and was soon ready for dry land.

Washed up jellyfish.

We love vacation...but for different reasons.

Vacation means different things to different people.  It's amazing how a group of people going to the same place and doing the same things all remember and relish different parts of the same experience.  For Shane, vacation meant a break from reality, a full dose of what life could be like after this thing called "residency" is over.  And when it was over, it was the laughing, the living, and the eating he most remembered.  For myself, vacation meant a break from the repetitious zoo-like routine that has become my life.  What I will most remember is the change of scenery (Colorado is truly breath taking), the adult conversations, and the chance to engage in adult activities daily.  Avery, my nature lover, enjoyed every moment, every site, every experience as only a sensing learner can.  It's not surprising that his memories involve the description of sites, sounds, and smells.  Amelia is a sensitive soul, with an intuitive gift that seems truly amazing for a child of only 3 years of age.  She grasps how people feel and shows a great understanding of social situations and understands how to appropriately apply social skills.  Therefore, she LOVED every social gathering,  loved hanging out with aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, those her age and those older; she loved the attention and gladly rewarded all with a beaming smile.

  

We Survived!

I am a seasoned traveler. Let me be more specific, I am a seasoned traveler with young kids. I've done short flights, long flights (8 hours), and endured my fair share of tricky layovers. Additionally, at least a quarter of our total travels I've done by myself. However, our recent vacation involved a segment of travel not logged in my "traveling repertoire"; a 10 hour drive from Nebraska to Steamboat Springs. Driving for long periods of time is not something I looked forward to as a little girl, big girl, teenager, or young adult; actually it’s something I grew to dread. Today not much has changed. I still dread driving for long period of time, and when little kids are involved there are other's needs to consider, besides my own discomfort. So, when preparing for our vacation and the dreaded 8-10 hour drive, I did what all parents do; I over packed. The kids drew pictures and letters, cut shapes, played with stickers, did bead work, and watched movies. They ate, sang songs, quietly observed, imagined, yelled, passed out, and 10 minutes from our final destination, Amelia got sick and threw up all over the vehicle Uncle Taylor kindly let us borrow for the trip. We did what we had to do to make the trip to and from Nebraska bearable and when it was over both Shane and I felt like yelling, “We survived.” However, we both opted for something much sweeter and more discrete…a heavenly siesta in our bed.

The Farm

Avery acting like a seal, naked and all.

Amelia and fireworks just don't mix....too loud.

It was Grandpa's birthday so a celebration took place.

Grandpa, Amelia, and Grandma

Amelia sitting with Oma in the "safe zone". She doesn't like fireworks and spent most of the evening hiding with Oma in the house.

While Shane and I were enjoying "adult time" in Omaha the kids were enjoying "farm time" with Oma and Opa. They had so much fun feeding the animals, helping in the garden, going to the county fair, and partaking in our "left-over" fireworks fun.

Waiting for Opa to light the parachute firecracker and getting ready to run.

Wow, the corn and beans are soooo much taller than they were in May.

Amelia and her favorite animal "Muffin". Muffin was such a good sport and took lots of abuse from the kiddos.

Avery is always in heaven when he can catch a toad.

Farm Fun

I'm sooo excited about the candy at the parade. Hmmmm I wonder how much mommy will let me have?

Oh what fun it is to play in the planter day after day.

I love fireworks but could do without the loud noise.

There are soooo many places a small body can fit when there is large equipment around.

Snack time!

While visiting the farm the kids had a great time playing with the animals, looking at all the farm equipment, planting seeding, helping in the garden, watching a fireworks show, roasting hot dogs, making smores, and visiting the Hanover parade where candy is always plentiful.