Spring Break 2016

So, I know what you’re thinking. Spring Break?  It’s August!  Welp - I got nothing.  It is what it is, as the kids say, and I’ve had this folder sitting on my desktop for months - so it’s time to dump some pictures.  Off we go!  Enjoy the blast from the past.

Making an entrance!  Flying in to Omaha is always such a fun experience because we always have the best cheering squads waiting for us on the other end of the gangway.  It almost makes flying alone with a toddler worth it...almost.

Cute cousins.

I freely admit that my timeline of the visit is more than a little hazy.  While the individual moments are unforgettable - what came first, next, and last is going to be a bit creative.  Regardless, one of the days Papa Kay played hooky from work and took us to the Wildlife Safari.  It was Eila’s first time playing with lots of the animals.

Peanut Butter and Jelly snacks!

Eli also played hooky from school for a day.  I don’t think the day away from his official studies is going to keep him back, too far, though.  Doesn’t he look grown up reading the map?

Annika shows Eila how to give the goats some love.

Going in for a cuddle.  Eila insisted on greeting each goat eye to eye.

Playing with antlers.

That’s an awfully cute elk!

Not so sure about these ears.

Eli shows us how to drive a tractor.  Classic Nebraska shot, right?

Back at the Wheeler homestead Eila enjoyed some great trampoline time.  Gotta love the static hair.  

She was less than thrilled by the swing.  

The next day Eli headed back to school but Brooklyn hung back to show us around Fontanelle Forest.

The very rare giraffe-racoon mix breed 

Choo Choo Slide train.  Here comes Annika!

Home in time for nap time, we did our best to make use of some quiet time to help make a few checkmarks on the household “to do-list.”  Kara and I aren’t really supposed to take on projects together.  They are inevitably hilarious fiascos.  But there’s no one else I’d rather fail with!

Who needs a beach and a bikini?  This is what Spring Break is all about.

Sittin’ pretty.  Word on the street is that this patchwork carpet quilt may have had something to do with helping to sell their house.  Perhaps We shouldn’t have worked so hard, after all.   

What better way to end your special day than with a special pizza.  After all her patient babysitting of my little toddler, Brooklyn had definitely earned her dinner.  Orsy’s...not just big but YUM!

Her state testing days over at last, Talia finally got to spend her special day with Eila and I.  Ever the polite, and thoughtful niece, she wanted to do some painting for other people.  Here we are at the pottery shop painting plates.

I figured it might be a good opportunity to work on a Father’s Day present.

Making trouble in the Joslyn sculpture park.  This picture MAY be my current screensaver because I feel like it captures her waggle.

It’s never too late to decorate Easter cookies, right?

No explanation necessary for why this bath was needed after all that sugar cookie decorating!  Eila’s still learning to share her bath toys.  Sorry Annika - thanks for humoring us!

Speaking of good humor - I love how many April Fool’s Days I’ve been able to spend with this crazy Wheeler clan.  I’m totally stealing their breakfast day tradition for our own family.  

Having only recently mastered the art of “spoon” Eila wasn’t as excited to give it up in favor of more puppy appropriate eating postures.  

The Wheeler’s, on the other hand, were more than expert “no-hands” eaters.

The fun to be had at the Omaha Children’s museum is no joke!  Thanks for helping me drive, Aunt Kara!

Ball-room madness!

Our last evening in Omaha brought us to the Westroads Mall new food court for dinner.  Eila was more interested in TTT than dinner - but that’s not surprising in the presence of Papa Kay.  

All too soon it was time to say goodbye to our Omaha family and head back towards Seattle.  Eila was NOT excited to leave

Why is it that babies never nap when you need them to the most?  (OK - it may have had something to do with some extra “lovin’” from a favorite youngest cousin).  

On the plane...Am I in your way, mom?  

Thank goodness for Alaska Airlines and their willingness to give lone mamas an extra seat for their lap babies.  

Irony.  She didn’t sleep a wink for the three plus hours on the plane.  But was out cold by the time we hit the freeway.  Babies!