Pawnee Days 2011

 Papa and the girls playing outside on a beautiful June morning.

 Gracie did this drawing.  She said it was a bus with people on it.

 The girls waiting for the parade to start.

 Gracie would wave at the floats and would say,"Gimme some candy!"

 The sirens were a little loud!

Poor Evie trying to keep cool.  We weren't there 10 minutes and she was heading back towards the car saying "home".  Little poopsie just can't stand the heat.  Both girls had fun!

Fathers Day 2011

 We started Father's Day by checking on the cows cause Evie was begging to see them, "Cows, cows." We looked for frogs and turtles down there.  There were tons of turtles, but they were in the water sticking their heads up out of the water; I guess I didn't realize they did this.

This picture is Dad showing the girls clover in the pasture.  I thought this was a cool picture.  We got to see lots of wild plants that morning...thistle, sweet clover, and wild roses.  They smelled really good.

We went out to eat with everybody at Loup River Inn.  Then we came back to Mom and Dad's for some fun and dessert.

Hoff with his girls.

Dad had bought stuff to play some baseball, but the adults got into playing frisbee.

Dad and Colleen playing frisbee.

Then we had homemade ice cream and lots of yummy desserts.

Then, we drove home and had a yummy supper/dessert with Dave and Laurie.  We got a visit from Jeff on his new scooter and we all had to check that out. We couldn't of asked for a better Father's Day!

Henry Doorly Zoo 2011

 So, instead of getting tonsils out today, we went to the zoo!

 The girls looking at fish and stingrays.

 Looking at more fish.

 Gracie with one of the millions of snakes they had there. 
She looks as though she's making a scared face, when, really she was saying "Cheese."

 Looking at fish.

 Penguins!  They were playing chase in the water.  It was fun to watch.

 Maybe a little too close, but she thought it was sweet.

 This was a new species of wild animals we saw there...they are supposed to be very naughty. hehehehe

 Gracie checking out the lazy gorillas.  They all were sleepy and sad.  :(

 Gracie's favorite thing was seeing all the frogs and she thought the aquarium was "so cool!"

 Evie liked the aquarium, hippos, and these little guys.

Gracie liked the little goats too.  She just kept giving them all hugs and petting them.  They were really cute. Nice day, little chilly for June, but still good times.

Nature Walk

 We spent our Sunday going on a nature walk at Mahoney State Park.  It was such a beautiful day!

 The girls....hiking along.  They really love to go on our "nature walks".

 Gracie's pointing out a locust shell.  They were all over the place.  They are gross.

 We also found little snails along the pathway.  Gracie and Evie were both examining this poor guy.  One even made its way home with us (not my idea).

 The foliage there was beautiful and no I did not photoshop this image. I actually got that ray of sunshine! Awesome!

 We found ginormous oak leafs. They were cool!

Evie got a little ride on the way home.  We probably went a little too far, but we were just having too much fun.  :)

Garage Sale and Frogs

 Found a cool vintage fisher price airplane at our neighbors garage sale......

 And this is what Gracie is using it for...a frog airplane.  Small business trip to the east coast please.  Hahahahahaha; I thought this was soo funny. 

And just threw this one in here.  I thought it was cute.  Gracie says,"Look Mom.  I made a scarecrow."  

What an imagination!

Home Tweet Home

 So...last week I noticed we had a nest in our sunset maple. I was soo excited.  When we bought this tree there was a bird nest in it and one stormy night, it blew out.  I was sad.  The lady we bought it from said buying a tree with a nest in it is good luck.  Anywho, we decided to see what was in the nest and we found two pretty blue eggs!

 Bout a week later, there now is 4 eggs!  The mama robin likes to roost on the swingset post and my tomato cages. We try not to go near her too often cause she gets scared and flys off...but not too far.

 So...she sits,

 And sits.

And sits.  I will post any new progress.  Probably about the time I see blue eggs on the ground :)

Napa Valley Trip 2011

 The group (l to r) Linsey Yokley, Maria Meis, Laura Rodriguez, Pam Pilakowski, Kalee Battey, Diana Friesen, and I in front of a San Fransisco trolley.  They were not working (closed for repairs) so kinda disappointed.

 The girls in front of the San Fransisco Bay.

 Fisherman's Wharf in San Fransisco.  Lots of fresh fish and crab - ate my first crab cakes here.  Lots to see. The steep roads were cool!

 Maria and I by the Golden Gate Bridge.

 Golden Gate Bridge - very neat!  Notice the coat - chilly weather - 60's.

 Diana, Maria, and I in our limo that escorted us to all sorts of wineries in Napa Valley.

 Laura, Me, Diana, Maria, and Kalee (class of '98) photo at our first winery - Trefrethen.

 The girls at V. Sattui winery.  Third visit of the day.  At each winery you got 4-5 tastings. This winery was very popular.  We ate lunch here in their wine cellar - very good. I had a margarita sandwich.  Cheers!

 Next stop was a castle winery - forget the name.  We didn't have enough time to go through so we took some pictures.

 Grape field.

 Rolling hills of grapes - so pretty!

 The group of girls in front of Cline Wineries grape fields.

 Me in front of grape vines.

 Muir woods outside of San Fransisco - big redwoods.  This place was so peaceful and beautiful.  I was on the lookout for bigfoot! Just kidding!

 There's me clear down at the bottom!

 I was able to fit inside the big redwood tree.  These tree are very big - over 200 ft, but the really big trees are located in Yosimite National Park.  There they are over 300 ft tall.

We had a wonderful time.  The weather could have been better - cool and rainy.  Oh well.  Where we going next girls? :)