The Amazing Pizza Machine

Before Kevin and his family headed off for their next adventure in the Azore Islands, I wanted to get them up to the Children's Museum in Omaha and lunch (and play) at the Amazing Pizza Machine!

What a day! (And scarey, too...when I nearly side-swiped my car on a "merge" on the interstate!) Guess the GPS guy doesn't talk soon enough!

We enjoyed the museum before heading off for pizza...and boy, did we gorge ourselves there! A huge buffet and delicious soft serve ice cream at the dessert bar...makes great root beer floats!

Catch-Up

I've been sadly neglecting this posting...and will try to "catch-up" in the next few days. First of all, the wedding with off without a hitch, as they say. Missing from the great day was Keely & the girls. But, it was nice of her to send her husband (my son) and her son (my grandson) to share this occasion with us. Cathy was so excited to have BOTH her brothers there with her...it meant so much!

The reception area was packed! I think Cathy was overwhelmed with the number of family & friends who came down to the Ice House after the wedding ceremony.

As you can see, the bridesmaids were beautiful! Halle was her mother's Maid of Honor, and she looked so grownup! (L to R in picture is Nichole, Halle, Kendra, & Yvonne)

The guys looked great, too! Kevin, Brandon, Michael, & Austin stood up with Mike. And I got to hold Lukas in my lap on the front row! He was such a good boy!

There had been no rehearsal, but we all met early and Joe Moore took pictures. Everyone was able to talk to Pastor Andy Rubenking, so they all knew what there responsibilities were and where they'd be standing.

When the ceremony began, the groom & groomsmen all came in, then the girls began walking down the aisle.

When Cathy was in the back, ready to come up to the front, Austin left the other groomsmen and went to the back of the church to his mother.

He reached for her hand, then walked her up to the altar and left her with Mike.

I couldn't hold back the tears! I still cry when I think of it now, three months later!

It was a simply beautiful ceremony. Since there was no unity candle or special music, Pastor Andy had Cathy & Mike sign the marriage certificate right there on the altar! It was cool!

Winter Swimming Hole

On Wednesday, Dec 29th, Brandon flew into Kansas City from Maryland. He brought his son, Aaron, with him (much to the sadness of the girls!). Aaron hadn't been with Ethan & Isaac for several years, so this was an opportunity to play with them, plus attend his Aunt Cathy's wedding the following day.

We decided to take the kids to the Lied Center where they enjoyed some indoor swimming. As you can see, it was a hit!

And Kendra enjoyed a good book!

We all met up with Cathy later (she worked until 7 pm that day) for some more food & fellowship! The big day was coming up next, and everything was ready!

December "Hay Ride"

One of the first days of my vacation, I took Kevin, Kendra, Ethan, Isaac, Austin, & Mikie out to the farm where Doug let us do some exploring. The boys had their Nerf guns, and we all tramped down to the creek bed and checked out the firepit & bench, water flowing under the ice, and looked for wildlife signs.

Kevin and Kendra posed for a picture or two, all the while telling the boys to stay away from the water! Then, we headed back up to the house where Doug was hitchin' up the little wagon for a ride around the western corn field.

We all piled into the trailer (which looks like a hay wagon) and took off. Well, actually Doug & Kevin were in the Tahoe, and the rest of us brave souls were riding in the back. The exhaust fumes were starting to get to us, but we survived with all brain cells functioning! Frozen, but excited after our ride, we thanked Doug who warmed us up with some hot cocoa in the farmhouse.

Thanks, Doug!

Lukas is 1!

I'm a little bit behind in my journaling, so consequently I'm going to try to catch up in the next few days.

Kevin & Kendra with Ethan & Isaac arrived in Omaha from Phoenix on Dec 20th for a fantastic THREE WEEKS with the hometown folks! And just in time to help Lukas celebrate his first birthday!

There was still a little snow on the ground that day, and the boys were joined by Austin and built a huge snowball that stuck around for days! The weather temps were a tad bit cooler than what the Cozad family was used to in Monterey, but the guys were real troopers and didn't let a little thing like freezing weather deter them from their mission!

The next day was Lukas' first birthday and we all met up at Cathy's & Mike's for some cake & ice cream. The house was busting at the seams with all the guests. And loud...you can't believe it...and with standing room only...I kid you not!

Lukas demolished his piece of cake, lovin' every bite and smearing frosting everywhere (including up his nostrils!)

Then afterwards he made quick work of his presents with his big brother & sister helping him out! He also had some help from various cousins who were quick to point out the better toys!

It was so much fun for all of the hometown folks to have Kevin's family there, along with Nicki's twin daughters, Molly & Madison!

Definitely a great night & fantastic kick-off for a whirlwind Christmas holiday that included a wedding! But, more about that in the next installment! (I'm learning the art of "cliff-hanging!")