Evie had Vacation Bible School this week with a lot of her classmates. She was so happy to see them again.
The last day of VBS we were able to stay for the morning gathering. The kids sang songs and "Lifeguard Dan" told stories from the bible that related to the weeks theme. 
Joel's friend at Specialized gave Ethan this new bike. Lucky us. It's a little big. He has to reach on his tip-toes to touch the ground but when he is riding he fits better than he did on his smaller one. 
Ethan is trying to patiently wait for me to get myself ready and stop taking pictures so he can ride his new bike.
The kids love being in the garage with Joel and especially up on his work bench playing with his tools. Most of the time they are pretty good about putting things back or at least not loosing tools but of course there is the occasion where Joel can't find the took he needs at the moment.
The kids are busy striking a pose
Ethan is busy measuring things. I love his bare body. 
We had a fun afternoon at the river. The water is still cold but not as cold as the ocean. It is a beautiful spot and reminds me of Colorado. The beach is more rocky than sandy and the trees and fresh water feel so familiar. It is a good spot.
Ethan loved floating down the river with his tube he got from a birthday party. 
Evie and Ethan were daring enough to go under the waterfall with daddy. Evie was surprisingly cautious. A little unlike herself. Ethan actually went first for a change and then Evie followed.
Joel would dip the kids in the flowing water and lean them into the waterfall. They got such a kick out of it.
Warming up in the sun. 
We had a little surprise in our pear tree when we got home from Lincoln. My mom let me know that it's a Mourning Dove. We have enjoyed watching her. It's amazing that she NEVER leaves her nest. Joel jokes that she must have been so surprised when we got home and the racket followed. It must have been so nice and quiet when she built her nest and we were gone.
Not long now and we'll have pears to share...
We departed from Lincoln last Friday. Thanks to grandma and grandpa and the Clarks for driving us to the airport. The kids enjoyed all their new travel goodies from grandma and grandpa. All the cousins colored and played until we had to board our plane.
And my good travelers.
Evie took this picture out the window. 
Ethan fell asleep about 20 minutes before we landed in San Francisco....of course. Evie would do that too. Stay away the whole flight and fall asleep as we were landing.
Evie is excited that she is going to loose her teeth someday soon. They are not lose yet but she knows she is outgrowing her baby teeth and her friends have started loosing theirs. She never had a gap between her teeth until now. She thinks it's cool that she can stick her tongue through it.
Daddy picked us up from the airport. Usually it's the other way around. The kids were happy to see him of course. Ethan loves riding on the bags.
Thanks for picking us up daddy. We are happy to be home.
We get together at my parent's house on Sunday's and this Sunday was slip and slide night and a pre-celebration to Jeremy's birthday. My parents have the perfect sledding and slip and slide hill. I was impressed with how the kids just waited nicely in line and took their turn with out a fuss. 
Ethan wasn't a big fan of the slip and slide
Anderson
Noah
Evie
Ah, birthday cake. Happy Birthday Jeremy.
Claudia and Ethan
Grandma always spoils the kids with a farewell treat to bring in the car. Ethan and Evie love apples from grandma's house.
We went to Adventureland with the Tabors and Finders while we were in NE. It is an annual trip with the rest of my family but it was hard to coordinate timing this year. Hopefully we can all go next summer. It was a great time but we were missing the rest of the family.
Delphina and Claudia got to spend the night in our hotel room. Finally, the slumber party we have wanted to do for a long time now.
We had time for a quick swim in the morning before breakfast and heading to Adventureland park.
Mandy and the gang on the trolley to the park
And let the fun begin....
Ethan wasn't too sure of the frog hopper but he liked it in the end. We missed Grandma Potter - she did this ride with the kids time after time after time and never tired. She was super-trooper.
Evie and Claudia obviously LOVED it! 
Jack and Joe
The girls; Evie, Delphina, Claudia and Emma
Bob and Mandy
Ethan did a few rides solo while Evie and Claudia went on a few roller coasters with Mandy and Delphina. They were only an inch above the height requirement to go. They did the huge roller coasters that would frighten adults. They even did one that went upside down and around in loops. I still can't believe it! They seem to small for that kind of adventure. 
We had about an hour to visit the water park before we headed back to Lincoln. It was a great time but I needed an extra set of eyes. The kids could disappear so quickly. Up these stairs and down a number of slides. It was great to have Mandy there. We got our system figured out to have one of us at the top of a slide and the other at the bottom. We both were able to settle down after that. 
Ethan, Claudia and Evie were warming their bodies on the hot pavement
Good times! We said goodbye to the Finders and Tabors before they headed back to Lincoln. We stayed about 15 more minutes so the kids could check out the splash area.
Evie in the splash area. 
We got changed up and started to head out of the park. Ethan was asleep as soon as he hit the stroller. It was a long fun day of play.
Evie in the entrance/exit of the park. Goodbye Adventureland, until next summer.
Our sunset was amazing all the way home.
Evie said she was starving so we stopped for gas and McDonalds at NE Crossing. I didn't realize she had fallen asleep until we got home and I opened her door. She didn't make it very far with her burger. Tired little chickie. If only we could play that hard everyday. 
