I am so loving this whole baseball thing. The games crack me up! They are really cute. I love the seriousness yet fun of it all.
May 15, 2011
March 21, 2011
Air museum
Last weekend the Kenny Grandparents were in town and we found ourselves headed to the air museum. So cool and only a few minutes from the house. It was a ton of fun. Ilya loved that he got to take home a toy version of the plane in the lobby. We also finally found the glow-in-the-dark stickers we wanted to complete his bedroom motif!
Dinner Train
This weekend was definitely all about the planes, trains and automobiles. This past weekend, we also ventured out to the dinner train. For anyone in and around Omaha, it was a ton of fun! We really enjoyed the train. Ilya was mesmerized that he was riding in a train for dinner! They have a really fun 1940's theme on the train, complete with big band music throughout the entire dinner. Really fun!
February 13, 2011
Busy weekend
What a great weekend! We started out Friday with friends over for dinner, then headed to the zoo Saturday to enjoy the nearly 50 degree weather and then wrapped up Sunday with a birthday party! Busy, busy but lots of fun!
November 01, 2010
Flight around Omaha and Iowa
What an amazing weekend! We headed out early Saturday morning to the Council Bluff, Iowa airport. Last Father's Day, Ilya and I bought Eric a discovery flight ride. So glad we got it!! It's an amazing gift. Eric got to try his hand at flying a bit. The sun was just coming up. It was beautiful! Eric did a great job with the turns and all the things the instructor asked him to try. He really enjoyed flying. Ilya and I were glad to join along. What a beautiful way to spend a morning. Ilya loved having the headset on, watching outside the plane and watching all the gauges! This was definitely the highlight of Ilya's day, weekend, week, month...maybe even year! I would highly recommend this!
October 30, 2010
Nebraska City
Eric's company has family outings a few times a year. This year they chose the fall outing to be at Nebraska City again. So much fun! We headed down to enjoy some apples fresh off the tree, apples in the form of warm apple cider, more apples wrapped in a warm puff pastry and then because we needed more sugar-- topped off the night with smores and friends around the fire! This year after dinner and smores, we decided to stay at the lodge. So pretty!
Headed to the room, Ilya was determined to carry his suitcase, "Dad do it. I do it!!!....No help me!"
October 06, 2010
Hot air balloon festival
A few weeks ago we headed out from the house (a whole 2 miles) and attended the Hot Air Balloon and Wine Festival. Just genius! Combine something the kids love (hot air balloons) with something mom and dad like (wine tasting)--what a great night. We had so much fun. Ilya was amazed that at first there wasn't anything but a big "blanket" on the ground, then a balloon and THEN it FLEW!
Mr. Brave used all his tickets on the gigantic slide.
He desperately wanted something that glowed and was thrilled to pick out the sword/light saber.
Later we hung out and listened to a few of the bands. Ilya had a great time dancing to the music. I think he was stealing a bit of the attention from the band. People were lovin' the dance moves.
A little planning goes a long way
Whew! We have had a busy September. The house is complete and minus a few boxes we are all moved in! Ilya was a huge helper in the move. He carried quite a bit, held the tape measure, added stuff to boxes and was always ready to inspect the to-do list and determine the next project.
August 23, 2010
Do-over worked
The phrase, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." might apply to many situations. But it most certainly did not apply to the first paint color we selected for our house. How could something so pretty in a small paint sample look hideous when applied to the whole house. It was horrible! I covered my eyes as Eric drove up to the house hoping and praying that this wasn't a case of "third time is the charm"! So happy to report that a simple "do-over" worked! We love it! The camera on my phone doesn't quite show it but it really is a pretty color...it's a medium tan color with a lighter cream color that coordinates with the brick perfectly. At least this time the beholder does think it's beautiful! Once the front door is in and the porch is stained it will all come together nicely! Yeah!!!
July 30, 2010
July 21, 2010
Hot air balloons!
Not exactly sure why but we regularly get to see a great hot air balloon show...from our patio. I love watching these float through the air--so peaceful!
Ilya gets pretty excited about them too...
Loving the Lauritzen gardens
What a great weekend! The Lauritzen gardens and several other museums in town had Railroad Days. Each location had a variety of things to go and see related to trains. Lauritzen has a great train display throughout part of the gardens and two engines nearby (we didn't make it to these--gotta save something for next time). Instead, we watched the garden display and when it got a little too hot, we headed inside to cool off and view the layouts there.
We also took a little time to stop and smell the roses. Ilya loves going through the gardens. He insists on reading every sign. And when I say every sign...I mean each and every one.
Watching the Koi for a bit.
July 18, 2010
Flowers!
Given that we are renting this year, I was a little bummed that I didn't have my roses and Iris this year. The landlord doesn't want anything new planted. So, I broke out the pots and started planting. Unfortunately, I'm not a container gardener and several items didn't work out so well. However, these beauties are really taking off!
July 16, 2010
Corn
It's a really good thing we live in the corn husker state...this kid LOVES corn on the cob. Ah..summertime!
July 09, 2010
Kitchen is coming together
Wow- things are moving rather quickly on the house now. Many of the cabinets are installed!
July 08, 2010
House progress
The cabinets are here. I am so excited to have a house with more than three cabinets!!! Room for everything in the kitchen is going to be wonderful!
My doors...(really way too excited for these)!!!
June 27, 2010
College World Series
Ilya loved the College World Series. It was nearly impossible to get a picture of him facing the camera because that would have required taking his eyes off the field. Ilya cheered without team loyalty. He cheered when anyone hit the ball, caught the ball or the inning ended and the crowd cheered. I was able to sneak a shot when he looked back at the screen to see the replay!
Here he is on the way to the game (so excited)!
With a heat index of over 100--frozen lemonade with dad was a must!
Sand in the City
As part of a local fundraiser, Eric joined a team from work to build a sculpture of sand. The ship was amazing! The pictures don't do justice to the detail like woodgrain on the ship or the hair on the captain!
Ilya had fun in the kids sand area with his buddy Wes!
June 26, 2010
Name on the house
Making sure that everyone knows this is Ilya's house!
May 26, 2010
Walls and roof
Whew! This house is going up quick!! This picture looks at the front door (envision a nice porch...or check back in a few weeks for a picture)!
May 18, 2010
Gifford Farm
A few weekends ago, a local farm had "Family Days". We headed over to see what it was all about. So simple, yet so much fun!
They had a few animals out...we spent all of about 10 minutes here. Ilya was not impressed...they were pigs, chickens, sheep...who cares...they don't do anything and they are behind a gate.
But...give the boy a wheel barrow and let him transport a few rocks and sticks. Watch him go. This is a picture that I zoomed in to take (note: this was the fourth picture...first three were blurry).
Or place a few log slices on the ground and play a game of hopping from on to the next...that's a way to spend 30 minutes!
Or a magnify glass...all the cool things you can see with this thing!
Or...some plastic fish with a magnet attached. Good times...
How big were the fish you ask...
Otherwise known as 4 inches...
May 01, 2010
House in Omaha
We've decide that we are going to build a house. After much back and forth in the decision making...we finally make a choice. Here is the lot, the excavation, footings and the foundation. More to come...
80 degree on the thermometer
80 degrees in April??? We don't know what to do...this is wonderful! Oregon got snow the week this picture was take. The weather in Omaha is wonderful (someone please remind me of this post in July).
Bumper cars!
The company Eric works for is wonderful! They hold family nights several times a year where they provide dinner and an activity. This time, the invited the entire department to a fun night at the local bowling alley, bumper car and game place. We had a blast!
Ilya gearing up for the big race. Can't take his eyes off the road for even a minute!
Not bad---Ilya scored enough tickets to get a few packets of Skittles from the prize counter!
It's a good thing the company and conversation was good during bowling. With 4 kids and 4 adults, it took nearly a hour and a half to get through 5 frames. We called it a game. Here is Ilya picking out a ball and his friend Joe showing him how to set it just right. It was so cute. The ball would take a good minute to reach the pins. I was sure it would stop and we'd have to go get it!
After the longest game of bowling (or at least 5 frames) on record, we headed over to the arcade!
Easter Egg Hunt at Arbor Day Farms
Arbor Day Farms is such a great place! We headed over there for their Easter Egg hunt. Such a beautiful day to wander the trail and search for eggs. This was a great way to enjoy the area and the visit with Papa and Gram Souders. Ilya had a great time reading about each and every tree. Seriously, I really mean each and every tree that had a plaque, Ilya asked for it to be read. Think about how many plaques that is---it is ARBOR DAY FARMS. I have no doubt that there are a hundred or more plaques describing the tree, the history of the tree, the uses historically and current for the tree...you get the idea. Whew! I say next time bring Papa Kenny too (for those that don't know my dad he owns a nursery full of trees)!
Easter eggs here we come!
Posing for a picture :)
Ilya being silly with Dad
Ilya being silly with Papa and Dad
March 17, 2010
Trains and more trains
We made the trek to the local train museum. The museum is housed in the old train station. What a beautiful building! Ilya loved the actual train cars but most of all he could have watched the model trains go around all day!
Being silly with Dad!!! Going over the waterfall and hangin' with some friends.
What's better than being at a train museum. Posing for a picture only to have a working train go by!
Being silly with Grandpa...notice a theme?
A family picture!
October 10, 2009
Nebraska City--here we come!
Eric's company had a family day out where they encourage employees to relax and enjoy a local activity. This year they took everyone to Nebraska City. The home of Arbor Day and about 50-60 minutes outside of Omaha. We had a great time on the nature paths, in the giant tree house and learning about trees. However, our favorite part was the tractor ride that stopped to pick heirloom apples (fantastic) and (the long awaited) pumpkin! If you have a chance to go to Nebraska city in the fall it's a great stop! While I've been to wine tastings before, I have to say this was my first apple tasting--quite good. I'm amazed at all the different kinds--who knew...not me! Of all the pumpkins that Ilya could select--he picked one that was just his size! Even as Eric tried to persuade him to get a REALLY big pumpkin, Ilya wouldn't have any of it. He had waited several weeks for this, examined MANY pumpkins, he found his perfect pumpkin and that's the one he was determined to take home. END OF STORY. (Oh...and in full independent 3 year old style...he carried it to the tractor, sat it on the bench and proudly held it all the way back).
The sites of Omaha...the Children's Museum
In our quest to learn more about Omaha and see/do a little bit of everything, we stopped by the Children's Museum a few weeks ago with Papa and Baba (Grandma) Kenny. Ilya loved playing in the ball room and keeps asking to go back! While the museum had tons of other exhibits and things to do...we left those for next time...and mainly focused on the balls this time...and likely next time too. :)
