Omaha

This weekend we visited our dear friends, Stephen and Sara, and their two boys, Langston and Graham in Omaha. We miss our time hanging out together in Portland and are excited that we're only a drive away now! For the first night we stayed at Sara's Mom's place on Beaver Lake and had a blast. Immediately, we were in the water, going down the slide, jumping, swimming, and floating! 

 Zane practicing back flips.

 Ahhhh....

 The next morning we had a relaxing slow start with coffee/chai on the deck, breakfast, the kids had a morning movie and THEN it was time to motivate for SUPER FUN SATURDAY. We took a boat ride before the heat got too oppressive. I think I waited a little too long to take this photo because all the kids look zonked already.

 On to Omaha proper to see their stomping grounds. While Graham was at a birthday party the rest of us went to lunch at a delicious Mexican tienda and then checked out a place called Beercade which was a bar with a bunch of video games and pinball machines. Something to keep everyone entertained!

 It was great to see Zane and Langston pal around :)

 Once the quarters ran out (and it was time to pick up Graham) we went to the pool to cool off. We brought snacks and beverages and had a grand ol' time!

 Hannah is completely over her fear of deep water and was in the water the entire time swimming along the wall and between two people (whomever happened to be in the water at the time).

 Zane walked the plank.

 She can land, surface, and swim to the side with zero assistance!

 The roughians.

 Mama fun time! While the kids were devouring pizza and watching a movie.

 After a very large and tasty brunch out it was time to head home with our little road warriors.

Cabins Pt. 2 :: Lake + Campsite

After the caves and a stop in Hannibal for lunch, we ventured to a beach area on the lake. 

 Back to the campground to clean up for dinner.

 Pre-dinner oaty ball snack.

 Comforting her after the 2 time she fell on the rocks by the shore.

 Our bustling campsite.

 Kebabs!

 She added her chocolate to cookies instead of making a traditional s'more.

 More Yard-Zee. We played Bocce too...but I guess I didn't take photos of that.

 She is in love with Fireflies.

 So is he.

 Helping tote water back to the cabin.

 Our last morning :( The fun times always end too soon...but we had time for one last fire and shore exploration.

 And some hugs :)

Cabins Pt. 1 :: Cabins + Caves

Our shenanigans with the Lueders continue! This past weekend we met them at Mark Twain Campground for some fun in cabins.

 Mason's resonator was a big hit.

Yard-Zee. Thankfully, no one achieved a White Whale.

 Knitting in nature.

 Grandmama being wacky!

 Kenz, Zane, Hannah, and Uncle Adam being wacky (musta been something in the air).

 Awaiting dinner.

Dinner.

 Whittling.

 Nick helps Zane with his flaming marshmallow problem.

 The next day the boys were up bright and early and ready to light more fires!

I wish I could say that this is a majestic photo of Bald Eagles circling our campsite...but it's not. They're vultures.

 After everyone recovered from a less than restful night (we may all be writing letters to lobby for softer/more supportive mattresses), we headed up to Hannibal, MO to see Mark Twain Cave.

The little green sign marks the original discovery entrance from 1819 when a boy chased his dog into the cave.

 This is the entrance for the masses.

 Inside, it is 52 degrees year round.

 I'm guessing Jesse James' hideout was much more incognito back in the day.

 Cousins in a cave.

 A pool of crystal clear water (lit with a purple LED light).

 Artifacts that have been discovered in the cave. Apparently I didn't take a picture of it, but there's an area called the Post Office where children who were playing in the cave would write their name on a piece of shale and leave it there. Then on their way out, they would remove the rock with their name on it. It was a way to know if anyone was lost in the cave. Talk about free range parenting! Geez.