Lake with Cousins

This summer our Arizona cousins (Kate, Gabriella, and Clayton) came to Omaha for a visit ahead of a family trip to Wyoming. We love playing at Grandma and Grandpa's lake, especially when we have lots of cousins with us!

 Grandma was brave and took 6 or 7 of the kids out on the paddle boat!

4th of July

My parents held their annual 4th of July party again this year. The lake is the perfect place to spend the 4th of July. Sun, sand, water, fish, toads, lots of great food, family, friends, and fireworks! What more could you ask for?

Family photo (before the swimming)

Looking at the fish Jena caught

The kids love hunting for toads around my parents house. Usually there are several to be found (lucky for the kids, not so lucky for the toads, but we do make them let them go...after awhile). 

Watching fireworks

First lost tooth

Makenna lost her first tooth yesterday (the same day we played at the lake with the Williams). Maybe all the playing and tubing loosened it up a bit.

When she realized that it was about to fall out, she was really nervous, but John just 'dried it off' with a Kleenex, and out it fell ;)

Lake with Friends

This past weekend, some of our great friends the Williams from Indiana were driving through Omaha on their way to Utah, and decided to stop and stay the night. Their two oldest kids (both girls) were some of Makenna's best friends while we were living in Indiana, so we were so excited to see them and get the kids together again. They stayed over night, and then spent the morning with us playing at the lake before heading back on the road. 

The dads with some of the kids

Me and Joy

The Williams tubing

Us tubing (minus Hudson, plus a friend)

We were so glad that they decided to stop and hang out with us for a bit on their long trek to Utah. We absolutely loved the time we spent in Indiana, and all of the friends we made there, and are so happy whenever we get to see any of them!

Bike across Nebraska

My dad, completed a week long bike ride across Nebraska on Saturday the 8th. My mom and I drove out to find my dad on the trail. We weren't sure where he was, but we just started driving west from where the finish was and eventually found him. We followed him for a little bit, and took some pictures, and then went to wait for him at the finish which was at the Strategic Air & Space Museum. It was so fun to see him riding, and we were very proud of him for completing this great accomplishment! He was even the first one to make it to the finish, so I guess he won!!

At the end of the race with my Grandpa, who had been following him with his motor home during most (maybe all?) of the race.

Makenna's Dance Recital

Makenna had her second dance recital on June 1st. This year her Creative Movement class did a dance called Sea Cruise. They wore sailor-inspired outfits that were super cute. Her cousins were not in her class this year, but she did have 2 of her other cute little friends. 

At the dress rehearsal earlier in the week, Makenna had gotten a little ahead of the music while dancing. Afterwards, I told her about it, and we practiced once at home making sure she was right with the music. When it came to the recital, Makenna was perfectly with the music. I was so proud of her for making the adjustment!

Makenna is in the center, just to the right of the boy.

 Makenna and Grandma Debbie after the recital

Misc May

Here are some random pictures from May that I wanted to remember.

One day Makenna was dressing up in some my clothes. Here she is wearing my shirt, belt, boots, and necklace. Funny girl!

Hudson was able to go on his very first Father-Son camp out this month. He was SO excited, and had so much fun. Makenna has been trying to negotiate her on camp out with dad ever since. 

On Mother's Day, John and the kids made me breakfast in bed. It actually is quite a funny story. When I woke up that morning, I could tell that something was going on downstairs, so I decided maybe I should linger upstairs for a little while. Then all of a sudden the smoke alarm started going off!! I couldn't help but start laughing. It turns out that the piece of toast I ended up eating was not the first attempt!

One day when going to check on Hudson, who had been playing in his room for awhile, I walked in to find that he had arranged all of his animals and cars around baby Jesus. I thought it was so sweet.