Baby, It's Cold Outside...But We Still Have Fun!

So I know I mentioned it before, but December was chilly in Omaha.  We frequently hopped in the car and discovered a reading like this:

Normal people might stop hopping in the car and bundle up in their homes instead.  Fortunately, we are not normal peoples.  Here's a record of our brave winter outings:

The Gingerbread Display at Winter Quarters:

Aren't these homes amazing?

This special cabin was created by our friends, the Hales.


Who knew that the honey bee was the state insect for both Nebraska and Utah?  (A quick internet search taught me that the honey bee is also the state insect for Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin.  Popular choice.)

Ah, it doesn't take much to get me missing France.

Our very favorite display, however, was definitely the Shire.

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit; in an ergo on his mom there lived an Anders.

The Light Exhibition at the Kaneko.  While we've enjoyed all of the rotating exhibits at the Kaneko, this one was a personal favorite.

How'd they do that?

Falling through the looking glass.

Eila's first haircut.  So grown-up!

Disney's Coco at the comfy theater.  Annika bawled, and I may have sobbed too.

Naturally we took a drive through our old neighborhood to spy on our old house.

We thought Papa Kay would appreciate the decor, especially considering his love of plastic snowmen.

Ready to unleash our inner artists, we took a trip to the Joslyn Art Museum.  

Looking good, Papa Kay!

NomiAnn and Eila are busy crafting.

We all wish our five minute sketches could turn out like Jason's.

I didn't see Papa Kay's artwork, but I strongly suspect it was a potato face with a drooling tongue hanging out.  Keep smiling!

Whatcha creatin', Eila?

Anders seems intrigued.

Talia, all ready for her self-portrait.  

With free gems like the Kaneko and Joslyn, you can see why our family loves coming back to Omaha so much, no matter what the weather.  But wait!  The fun didn't end there.  One frigid evening we warmed up by going to splash at Coco Keys.  Anders is one happy water baby!

Fly baby!

Jason and my Mom have quite the inside joke going on!

Making Brooklyn work as she glides down the lazy river.  

Last but not least, Annika tackling Papa Kay as we get ready to leave.

Next adventure, Skate Daze for some rollerskating and PlayDazium fun.

While Annika's figuring out ice skating, roller skating was a different story.  Those wheels sure spin!  Fortunately the walker helped.

As for Anders, he was happiest in his ball pit.

Papa Kay may be retired, but the Creighton Bluejays tradition lives on.  We had a great time cheering the women's basketball time.  Eila looks ready to teach us all how to whistle.

It wouldn't be Omaha without a trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo.  Annika had been begging to go the "big zoo" to see the swamp.  Despite the frigid weather, we obliged.  I thought she would be thoroughly impressed by this white leucistic alligator.  Instead, she looked disappinted and told me how she wanted to see the swamp with white feathers and a black beak.   Hmmm...think she means swan?  Her malapropisms crack me up, like how she calls a skunk a stunk.

Our cutie Eila, smiling in the desert dome.


Nothing better than mac 'n cheese in the Rainforest Cafe.

Now for our crackerjack finale, the Noon Years Eve celebration at the Durham Museum.

I may not have been there...

...but I promise it was a party.

Cheer aplenty to warm the chilliest of days!

Christmas Day 2017

Pajamas on Christmas morning.  Truly one of life's greatest joys, don't you think?  When December 25th arrived at last, our crew lined up in height order to go see the tree.  I predict that next year Brooklyn will have to stand in the very back.

Gifts can't be unwrapped until the obligatory bowl of Trix has been consumed. 

Packages galore!

It started off calmly enough...

...but soon evolved into this.

Some favorite gifts: Harry Potter garb.

Tickets to the theater.

And for Annika, an entire den of stuffed snakes.  (We're up to four.)

"Keep Smiling!"

Vroom, vroom, Eli!

Love this calendar Eli drew for me.

Talia and Dookie.  😝

On a more serious note, Talia got her own pack for backpacking... 

...and Brooklyn got a lightweight tent.  Adventures to come!

Zoe lovingly indulged us all, including the sweater we made her wear.

Speaking of clothes, Annika suddenly decided she'd had enough of those.

We made her get dressed again though, especially since she wanted to go outside and the day's high was fourteen degrees.

That's better, Annika Mae!

Annie and Eila were both brave enough to go out and explore the snow that fell for our white Christmas.  Many thanks to Uncle Adam and Papa Kay for braving the cold with them!  This was really the only day we went outside to play since the temperatures continued to drop.  By December 31st, the daily high was -1, without windchill.

Such a cute little snowman!

Back inside, our cuties had some mighty pink cheeks.

I think Anders was glad he stayed with mama. 

With most of the packages opened, we pulled out Settlers while the turkey baked.

Gathered 'round the table for Christmas dinner.  Turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, who could ask for anything more?

As you can see, we also enjoyed our Christmas Crackers with their accompanying crowns.

After dinner, it was time to trek to the basement to open NomiAnn's large gift--a bike!


Last but not least, time to open Santa's stockings.  Anders is holding the most amazing cloth balloon ball.  It's a fabric cover that goes over a regular balloon so that the balloon lasts longer and your baby can play with it safely.



Merry first Christmas, Anders!

And many thanks to everyone, particularly NomiAnn and Papa Kay, for making Christmas so special.  They went to an extraordinary amount of work decorating the house and getting everything all cozy for the holidays.  While we would certainly love being together under any circumstances, this Christmas was magical!