Family Fun Together

One of our favorite Nintendo Switch game is Just Dance.  Izzy had been planning on having the cousins join in a few of our favorite songs.  This is by far our favorite.. Dragostea Din Tei... Romanian for "Words of Love".

We even got Aunt Diane to join in a few songs.

This included "What is Love" with dance moves inspired by SLN.

One afternoon the cousins painted rocks.

Victoria and Aggie were often found hanging with each other.

Despite the heat and humidity, we elected to try our hand at Tree Rush in Fontenelle Forest.  Excitement included zip lines, suspended bridges, rope ladders, and other aerial surprises.

The view of the variety of difficulty levels from the top.

Thank you to Aunt Diane for helping get Victoria through this course.  We would still be on the first platform when time ran out without her.  Though exceptionally frustrating, I was proud of Victoria for overcoming her fear and competing the course. 

As soon as Izzy, Amelia, and Audrey started, they were off together.  As they are getting older, they are off doing their own thing many times with smiles and giggles.

Diane and Avery did the first course together.

With a bit of time left, Diane and I went together on a Blue Course with Avery joining us later.  Avery was a bit disappointed as he wanted to do a Black Course but time didn't allow us to do so.  But that leaves a reason why to return for another attempt.

I was so impressed with Micah.  He took the lead in our group and had little fear even though he was the first one very obstacle.  He was also responsible for changing his safety clips independently. 

We finished the day with ice cream as Coneflower Creamery.  There were some very interesting flavors such as lavender basil.

One last adventure with the cousins was heading back to the Fairbury pool.  The high diving board was a hit this time around as well.

Family Fun on the Farm

While back home for summer vacation, we spent a day in Lincoln with our first stop at the Lincoln Children's Zoo.  Since the last time we have been there, they have been expanding.  What would have been the parking lot now houses giraffes, tigers, cheetahs, and a giant anteater.  This is such a gem of a zoo!

We all absolutely fell in love with this red-footed tortoise who seemed to follow us around while there.  It's not so common to be able to come as close to the animals as is this set up.  We were inches away and could have reached out to touch the tortoise.

All of loved feeding the giraffes.  This one lingered a bit allowing for us to also pet him for a bit.

Another long standing favorite is riding the ponies.  With COVID-19, rides were individual making everyone wait their turn.  But it was worth it.

Victoria and S'mores

Micah and Ernesto (Micah self named the horse)

Izzy and Bullseye

The train had to be modified for protection with plexiglass.  We were separated by a few benches but enjoyed the relaxing ride.

Our next stop this day was to take a tour of the Nebraska capitol.  I have long felt this to be one of the more beautiful capitols in our country.

The Foyer - Past, Present, and Future Life on the Plains

The Vestibule - Nature's Gifts to Man on the Plains

The Rotunda - Mother Earth with prehistoric life of Nebraska winds around Soil, Water, Fire, and Air

It took a bit of time but the kids found Gage County carved on the outside of the capital.

The view from the 14th floor observatory.  Similar to Washington D.C., there is a mall allowing one to visualize the capital from afar.

The Blizzard of 1888

Trees Planting - celebrating Arbor Day

I recall this from touring when younger... giant wooden carved door.  So much more beautiful in person to appreciate the details.

Our guide took us into the old Senate room.  Originally our government was bicameral.  However in 1937 this room was closed after voting to become the nation's only unicameral.  This room has forever been frozen in time with names of the senators and lt governor still listed.  The kids enjoyed the way electronic voting occurred so many years ago... aya or nay.

We learned that Fairbury build a new pool with several novel features.  To cool off, we went to check it out.

One of those novel features is a high dive board.  All three of the kids jumped off this board.  Micah didn't take much coaxing.  In fact, he jumped off before I had a chance to turn around and watch him.

Victoria, on the other hand, did need coaxing.  In the end she jumped off not once, but twice.  So proud of her.

Izzy took off like she had done this multiple times before.

The frog lilies were a source of entertainment off and on during our time at the pool.  I tried once and fell off quickly.  It's much harder when your center of gravity is higher and the ropes are so low. 

We stopped for a bit at the castle playground on our way back.

Much to Oma's shagrin, the kids made slime while on the farm.

Oma and Opa save a few fireworks for the kids to enjoy while there.  Fireworks wouldn't be the same without the parachutes.  This year Micah and Victoria were really into trying to catch them.  Only once were their tears... mostly from being frustrated after falling down and missing the catch.

Another firework tradition is the car races.  For the second year in a row, I came in dead last.  Victoria won this year which was a first for her.

The snowcone will always be Victoria's firework.  Such a great choice for the size.

Micah will definitely be a gamer as he gets older.  While home he played often and asked Opa to a game of Mario Kart.

Still present is the miniature golf course in Beatrice.  This was different than most that we've done give the moving objects.  We ended our day with shaved ice.. a sure way to beat the heat.