Travel Love

February has been a month packed full of travel and celebrating those that we love.

After years of planning, I got to celebrate turning 40 with an all-inclusive resort vacation in Cancun Mexico. It did not disappoint.

Meanwhile, back in the cold Midwest, Grandma and Papa Bose entertained the boys.

Then, in honor of Love Day...

Mason's football field Valentine box

Tucker's Valentine artwork

And of course we celebrated our favorite Valentine Birthday Grandma!

Next up for travel was Jentry and Nathan. On the same day, Jentry flew from Omaha to Phoenix to visit the Stengers.

And Nathan flew from Lincoln to Fort Wayne, Indiana for a BW Fusion conference.  During his connection, he snapped this amazing sunset picture over Chicago.

And back in Nebraska, I was shoveling out of a foot of snow. The boys got a snow day and had a blast tunneling forts in the snow.

Then the boys and I headed to Harlan for the rest of the long, President's Day weekend.

Sunrise from the hot tub!

Anna made us a scrumptious red velvet cake.

To fulfill their Christmas gift, the Hamiltons took Tucker and Mason to the Crown Plaza hotel and waterpark in Kearney. As you can see, zero fun was had.

Then it was my turn to hop on a plane again. I traveled from Lincoln to Salt Lake City for work. 

Sunrise on my decent into Denver

Hotel room view of an ice rink in the city center.

Fresh snow capped mountains!

Now on to wrapping up February and my 30s!

January

January is usually a slower month with more time for rest and organization. I always welcome this after all the holiday hustle, however this January was busier than usual.

The first few days of the month I had to pull out all the tricks to keep the boys busy for a few last vacation days. Everyone but the teachers celebrated as school resumed on the 4th.

On the first day back to school, Mason could not wait to wear his Christmas gift from is crafty cousin, Anna.

The first weekend in January, I got to spend some precious time with my mom and sister as we sorted through items in my late grandmother's home in Tekamah. Granny Mary was a simple women who did not put much value in material belongings, however there was still plenty to go through. I brought home a few treasures including this Fisher Price Little People camping set from my 80's childhood. The boys were impressed!

The next Monday I turned right around and drove back to Omaha to board a flight to Charlotte, NC for a two-day work conference. It was so great to travel again and see my co-workers in person for the first time in 5 years. Unfortunately, I picked up strep throat and spent the next week at home recovering.

Sunrise from my hotel window overlooking the First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte.

Jentry pampered me with a salon quality blowout and make-up which made me feel much better.

Then, we finally got some measurable snow and two full snow days from school! I didn't capture any pictures but the boys had a blast playing outside. 

Our front door wreath made some fancy frost art!

Meanwhile, Nathan and I were inside packing for our sunny February beach getaway to Cancun. Floppy hat, check!

Papa registered Mason for a BB and archery workshop in Clay Center.  I am very grateful that he and Papa John can share this special activity together. So far, Mason is doing great and loving it!

Out with January and on to February; a month of love, special birthdays and more travel!

Mack Party of 5 Christmas

On December 26th we traveled home to see if Santa had left anything for us and by golly jolly he did!

Foxy even got a gift!

Tucker was so excited to have Nathan and I open the package from him but was quickly devastated to remember that the gift inside was the ornament he created at school and he exclaimed, "That was supposed to be for Foxy!" 

I guess the Christmas spirit is a spirit of giving and forgiving.