Girl's Game Day

Nathan decided last minute that he needed to stay home and work instead of going to the football game. We tried to sell our tickets with no luck. Nathan felt someone needed to use them so he suggested I take Jentry. My response, "Oh...well....I never thought about that option. Let me think about that." Jentry's response, "Ummm.....what time would we have to leave? Would we have time to go shopping too?"

I'm not sure what Nathan's thoughts were but his face was priceless. I am certain that no male has ever responded to such an offer the way us girls did.

Saturday morning came quickly and off we rolled to the college town with absolutely no agenda and lots of free time. First stop, the student union. I gave Jentry a quick tour of some of the hot spots on campus. It was a beautiful day and I was excited to reminisce on my old stompin' grounds. Surprisingly, Jentry was having just as much fun.

She is just the sweetest young lady who loves her mother so.

Looking out from Love Library.

Next stop, good ol' Smith Hall. Now there is a blast from the past! Jentry had a ton of questions about dorm life. I told her as much as was appropriate for an eight year old.

Then we walked toward the stadium. 

A crowd was forming to welcome the players when they arrived.

Next we checked out the kid's zone.

On our way to lunch, Jentry had to stop and check out the art in front of the Sheldon Art Gallery.

After some yummy cheeseburgers and way too many fries at 5 Guys, we sat down to watch the band perform and march into the stadium.

Jentry was quite concerned that I wouldn't be able to find our seats without Nathan, but somehow I got lucky and we found our spot in the sea of red with no problems.

We lasted through the first quarter before we had to find some dessert.

Jentry tried to persuade me into leaving the game early so we could get pedicures and to avoid traffic in the parking garage I agreed. We enjoyed the 4th quarter on the TV at the salon with our feet soaking.

After the game, Papa and Onnie offered to take us out for supper before we headed back home. Of course we couldn't pass up eating out one more time. 

If you know me, then you know I am absolutely a planner. However, I am the first to admit that this spur of the moment girl's game day was more than I ever could have planned. Nathan may have started something he will later wish he hadn't. We may be asking for his tickets more often.

Thank you Nathan for the grand idea and graciously allowing us to use your tickets and thank you Jentry for a fabulous day of memories made.

Oh and I almost forgot...The Huskers beat the Boilermakers 27 to 14. Go Big Red!

Paper Pulp Creations

Today is grandparent's day at school. Each year the students are encouraged to create a fall centerpiece to decorate the lunch tables. Jentry is always ecstatic when it comes to crafting anything, and I shamelessly admit that she is more creative than her mother. Her artistic ability definitely did not come from me and her imagination blows me away.

This year she created a fall tree from a soup can, tree branches and paper pulp. She had so much fun getting her hands messy.

She also created this teacher-like door for her bedroom. She loves to pretend she is a teacher and she made a pumpkin for each of her "students". I am not sure where the pumpkin/owl idea came from, as I had absolutely nothing to do with any of it. I am a huge fan of her work if you can't tell.

I am thinking she would make a fabulous teacher someday, however she is thinking of using a different kind of artistic ability.

I haven't a doubt that she will go on to accomplish great things in whatever career she chooses. I simply pray that I get to live long enough to see it for myself.

Pumpkin Dreams

Ever since I was a little girl I have loved the autumn season. Some of my favorite childhood fall memories include roasting hot dogs by the huge bonfire while sippin' on hot chocolate in my Halloween costume and trips to the Pumpkin Patch by Stamford. Making my pumpkin selection was one of the most exciting decisions of the year.

The ultimate dream would be for me to own and manage my very own pumpkin patch, however after several years of persuading I have only convinced my husband to assist me with a small patch for our family.

Luckily my in-laws were on board to help make this family pumpkin patch a reality.  Jan allowed us to use one of her fenced-in gardens and even went to the efforts of researching and purchasing some seeds. Everyone helped plant the seeds, spread mulch and pull weeds. Nathan and John helped water and spray for bugs.  Yes, sorry folks, this is not an "organic" pumpkin patch.

I am happy to report that our first attempt at the family patch was a sucess and I am hopeful that  I have passed along my fall nostalgia to my children.

Sisters

On Sunday, September 18th, Jentry became a big sister to Emry Grace Stenger. Emry was born a month early so she had to spend a week at the Children's Hospital in Omaha.  After two long weeks of patiently waiting, Jentry finally got to meet and hold her precious baby sister. To say she was excited would be a huge understatement.

Having been blessed with a sister myself, I am very grateful that Jentry gets to experience life with a forever best friend too.