Omaha 2022--No Place Like Home

After an unseasonably warm September, fall has finally arrived in Salt Lake.  The air feels crisp and the leaves are starting to change up in the mountains.  I can't wait to share pictures of fall hiking, but first it's time to catch up on summer.  You gotta admit, when we play, we play hard!  Our family got home from Oregon late Saturday, went to church on Sunday, then turned around around and drove to Omaha first thing Monday morning.  Jason needed to get back to work, so I was grateful to have both Brooklyn and Talia as co-drivers.

By the time we arrived in Omaha, it was getting dark, but not too dark for Annika to run outside and play with her friends--Eila, Anders, and a giant unicorn stuffie that Aunt Callie picked up for $3 at Goodwill.  

This year, we were welcomed in Omaha by NomiAnn, Papa Kay, Callie, Adam, Eila, Anders, Zoe, and Alesia!  We are so glad that she would come all the way out from New York to spend time with us.  Cousin Alesia time is the very best!

As would be expected, August in Omaha was mighty toasty. Most days we pulled out the swimsuits to stay cool. On day one we headed over to Louisville Lakes in the morning to beat the afternoon heat.

 
The lake itself was as comfortable as a bathtub.  Only thing missing was the rubber ducky.

Oh wait!  Aunt Callie's got one.

For even more fun, we pulled out the inflatable paddleboards.  Nothing better for a duck rescue.

You should see Anders plunge into the water.  The Wilhoits are true fish!

Once we were done having paddleboard wars, they were a peaceful way to explore the lake.

Always the nature explorers, Eila and Annika found frogs in the muddy marsh.  They were quite excited to introduce us to their new long-legged friends.

In the afternoon we enjoyed some board games in NomiAnn and Papa Kay's air-conditioned home.  In fact, it was so cool that the kids bundled up Zoe just to make sure she stayed comfy  Plus, they wanted to take her shopping..

One of the greatest things about coming back to the Midwest is the thunderstorms.  One morning Talia, Eli, and I headed out for a run around Zorinsky and nearly had to turn back because the lightning was so intense.

We also enjoyed heading back to our old hood for a Central High work party at Hanscom Park.  

The last time Annika hung out with our next-door neighbors, they were this big!

In general, it was encouraging to see that Hanscom Park was in good shape.  Anders enjoyed taking us all for a sail in the boat.

After Hanscom Park, Papa Kay took us down to the newly redone Gene Leahy Mall.

I have to admit, Omaha's never looked better.  This outdoor space is fantastic.  We saw people gathering from all over the city to enjoy the warm summer night.

Pretty great place to play!

I was glad to see that they kept the old slides--we have so many memories there!  Still, the site has been improved with the addition of an epic roller slide.  

Fun for all ages!

Another new Omaha discovery--Thai rolled tacos.  Brooklyn's smile says it all.  Worth the drive right there.

As long as we are on the theme of ice cream, we enjoyed a creamy treat after a daring afternoon in the wave pools at Mahoney State Park.  Not to worry, we all made it out alive, but there were moments when Alesia was keeping three wee cousins afloat all at once!

Have we mentioned that we love this girl?  We love her new look too.

Speaking of cousin bonding, these cute boys are inseparable.  My heart smiles every time I see them together.

Pontificating in PJs.  Not quite sure what I was saying here, but hopefully it was a good story.  (Doubtful.)

Omaha wouldn't feel right without a trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo.  No matter how many times I go, it wins my heart.

Have I mentioned how much we love our cousins?  Also, kudos to Alesia for the gorgeous hair.

When Annie was a babe, her hair reminded us of this crane.

Much at the zoo has changed, but this gorilla sculpture has been around as long as I can remember.

The new sea lion exhibit is phenomenal

Anders looks so grown-up as he explore the Asian Highlands.

Eila and Annie too.

This muddy rhino has figured out the key to surviving in the Omaha heat.

Meanwhile Mr. Anders social engineered his way to a lift through the zoo.

Inside the aquarium, divers were cleaning the rocks while the sharks rested below.  Don't know if I'm that brave!

This diver was so fun to watch as he interacted with the sea turtle, even giving his shell a rub.

Inside the children's area, the kids brushed a kid.

Last but not least, the Alaskan splash pad.  We made it just in the nick of time.  The water shut off just a few minutes after arriving.

Watch out Annika!  You're going to...

...slip.  Life lesson learned.

A day at the zoo can certainly wear you out.  Annika crashed in my bed that evening.  I wouldn't have minded except she brought company.

Doesn't Papa Kay's yard look gorgeous?  The zoo must have inspired him because the elephant ear caladiums were stellar.

On Friday we were sad to bid farewell to Talia.  She was headed off to Minnesota to compete with the Utah Swarm team as part of a national Ultimate Frisbee tourney.  It was a bit scary sending her off all on her own, but she handled the trip so well and played great.  Just wish we'd been there to cheer her on!

In Talia's absence, we ate sandwiches to drown our sorrow.

Plus, we headed to Platte River State Park for some splash pad fun.

This log is more dangerous than it looks.  It swallows both children and swimsuit tops.  After a revelatory moment, we booked it out of there before Callie died of embarrassment.  Just goes to show, you should never be the fun mom who actually rides the rides.

Fortunately we found a nice solitary spot at Crawdad Creek.

The kids were delighted to explore, despite the gross slime.

Callie's face says it all.

They found a handful of tiny frogs and thwarted their escape by building this "habitat."

If you look closely, you can see a couple white frog bellies in this photo.

Eila's walking stick is more my speed.

Back to the muck.

Summer in a nutshell.

On our last day, Papa Kay took us to the Durham Museum for National Root Beer Float Day.  That's an offer one simply can't resist!

Not only did we enjoy the trains and root beer from Upstream, but we also got to go through the new interactive dinosaur exhibit.  They turned a section of the basement into this maze that was a hands-on exploration of the prehistoric.

When we got back, it was sadly time to pack up and start the long journey home.  We would have loved to take this little sweetie with us!  We're just tickled she's in Salt Lake now.

Saying goodbye to Sparkle.  Sparkle had to stay in Omaha since there's no more room in Annie's bed.

Farewell photos.

Papa Kay and NomiAnn, thank you yet again for making Omaha all sorts of wonderful.  As Dorothy  learned, there's no place like home.  Love you!