A Day of Cousin Fun

Tuesday Jentry and I met my mother, sister, Isaac and Anna for a day of fun in Hastings.  We started by taking a tour of the Hastings Museum and then walked across the street for a quick lunch at Burger King. Sadly, I think the kiddos had more fun at the fast food restaurant than viewing history at the museum.  The museum gave them each a sticker but that could not trump the cool crowns at BK!

After lunch we splashed at the water park for a few hours.  I think the highlights of the trip for me were the following, which both happen to take place in the vicious wave pool.

1.  Grandma watched the kids float up and down on the tubes in the wave pool for awhile before deciding to give it a go herself.  It did not take long for the crashing waves to knock her off the tube on to her bottom. Instead of helping my poor mother get back to her feet, my sister and stood at a distance and laughed till we cried.  Thankfully she was not hurt, at least not physically.

2.  I had Isaac and Jentry on a tube and was trying to get them positioned for the best wave.  Jentry began to slip into the center of the tube, so I let go to hoist her back on the edge.  At the very same moment the huge wave crashed into the tube causing Isaac to flip over backwards into the water.  I tried to pull the tube off of him, but he was still holding tightly to the handle keeping the tube fastened to the water.  Kelly saw Isaac flailing under the water and ran to him with Anna on her hip shouting, "He's DROWNING!"  She grabbed his little arm and flung him out of the water like a snake. Again, thankfully he was not hurt, however I am sure he will remember the experience for quite some time.

We decided the lazy river was a much better speed in which to safely relax.

After the kids had tried every possible event at the water park we decided to head back the museum to catch the 3:00 showing of Kenya in 3D.  This was the first 3D movie Jentry had been to and I can't remember the last time I had been to a show.  The glasses have certainly been upgraded since I was kid and the kids thought they were so cool.

The next and last stop of our day was at Sonic for a sweet treat.  When it was time to say goodbye, the kids begged, "Just one more fun thing....PLEASE!"  The adults were exhausted but apparently a whole day of fun is just never enough for these adorable cousins.  Thinking back to my childhood and the many hours I spent playing with my cousins I am sure that we too begged for more fun.

Somewhere Near the Water

This past week we celebrated our freedom with all kinds of water.

It all began with a quick trip to the Orleans pool on Wednesday, which brought back some memories of my life-guarding days.  To think that was 15 years ago is just down right scary.  The pool still looks great though.  I wonder how many hours I spent there as a child?

On Thursday morning, Jentry played with water from the hose and helped papa shine up his Camaro.  For helping, papa gave her a ride to the parade in Alma and she thought it was quite fun to pass her mom and grandma on the mile hill.  If she is anything like her mother, I'm not sure papa's race car is the best influence.

 

Anna scored some patriotic shades during the parade.  What a cutie patootie!

On Friday we took the boat to the lake and the kids had a blast playing in the water and making their own private lakes in the sand.  Isaac named his Isalake.  Jentry was brave enough to swim out to the floating dock and jump off like the big kids.  Isaac gave it a try but eventually decided it was too much and climbed back down the ladder.  

We're ready...hit it Papa!  

On Saturday we plopped ourselves in the river.  Papa managed to find a couple of tubes which were a huge hit with the kiddos.  The river was so peaceful and made me really miss living in the river valley.  

By Sunday we were all exhausted, however it might have possibly been my favorite 4th of July holiday thus far. Of course with the exception of last year when my Nathan asked me to be his wife.  That one is pretty difficult to beat! 

This year I got to spend extra time with my family and even got to see cousins that live much too far away.  Nathan and Chad had purchased tons of great fireworks for all to enjoy and the city of Alma put on a great show Thursday night.  Mom cooked several yummy meals and my sister invited us to their beautiful new home in the country for a rare but gorgeous evening on the deck. Jentry got to see her dad and baby brother at the parade, papa took her to see his bull and he even gave her a tour of the fire station.  I don't think we could have possibly pack more fun into just five days.

I am so blessed to have the freedom to spend time with an amazing family.  What wonderful memories are being made in the minds of these three precious children.  We are also very lucky that we had plenty of options to be somewhere near the water on this very hot and dry 4th of July. 

Weekend Celebration

This weekend was absolutely packed with celebration!  I am so exhausted I may never fully recoup.

Friday: I took Jentry to meet up with her dad so that she could finally meet her baby brother, Pace, at the hospital in Kearney.  Jentry was so excited and could not wait to hold him.  She is going to be such a great big sister...a bit bossy maybe but great!

I did some last minute party shopping in Grand Island and headed home to frantically clean our house before the guests arrived.

Saturday:  Nathan and I spent the entire morning cooking for the Birthday lunch on Sunday.  It took both of us nearly four hours to accomplish my to do list.  I don't know what I would have done without his help!

My mom arrived with Jentry just in time for lunch and even though Nathan and I had been cooking up a storm all of the food was for Sunday.  I just love it when you have been slaving away making tons of different dishes and then go out for burgers and fries.

After lunch the Hamiltons arrived and the kids played while my sister helped me frost the cake.  Jentry wanted a chocolate ice cream cake and I was determined to make it myself.  Everything was going together nicely until the ice cream started to melt and the frosting was sliding down the side of the cake with it!  I was planning to take the cake to my mother-in-law's freezer as mine was not big enough, however the cake was melting too quickly to survive the seven mile trek.   I quickly summoned Nathan to make an emergency run to the golf  course deep freeze, which is only a few blocks away.

After the crazy cake decorating, we took the kids to the pool while Nathan and Chad snuck in a round of golf.  Grandma and Papa had lots of fun watching the kiddos go down the big red slides.  After splashing in the sun we walked across the street for a Sweet Treat.

Next up, the parade!  Jentry got to ride on the grande marshal float with all the upcoming Kindergartners.  This year's theme was Soaring Into the Future and the class of 2026 got to lead the way.

The kids had so much fun collecting candy.

After the parade we grabbed some BBQ for supper and headed down the street to the carnival.  Jan and John had purchased lots of tickets for the kids and they were beyond excited.

When the sun set it was time for us to head home and rest up for the big Birthday.  I should have been smart and stayed home with the kids but instead the silly adults decided to go down for a few cocktails at the street dance.  It was all in good fun until the birthday girl woke everyone up at 6:30 AM!

Sunday:  We all enjoyed a relaxing morning of coffee, cereal and breakfast pizza.  The kids played outside as the weather could not have been more perfect.

Jentry's friends began to arrive for the party and we all enjoyed a yummy lunch.  She invited four of her girlfriends; Mia, Miranda, Kaci and Katie.  They were all so well behaved and brought really neat gifts.  Jentry is so lucky to have such great friends that will also be in her class this fall.

After presents, Nathan went to get the cake.  The appearance was definitely not purple ribbon but it tasted great!  Jentry was very happy as it was just what she wanted.  However, I will NOT be making a ice cream cake again anytime soon.

After the party everyone slowly said goodbye and before I knew it the house was quiet again.  I felt as if I had run marathon but it was worth it.  Jentry happily played with her new toys as we began to clean up and put away.  After supper, Nathan surprised Jentry with one more gift.  Beauty and the Beast! We all crashed on the couch and watched the tale as old as time together.  

Another birthday party in the books.  Now we can relax for the next 364 days right?  Oh wait...what's that?  Oh yeah, the 4th of July is only four days away.  I may never feel young again.