Omaha

Kate finished school last Wednesday and we headed to Omaha to visit Mike’s brother, Phil, Thurs-Sun.  The kids traveled really well and we all really enjoyed the trip. 

Thursday night we went to see a Triple A baseball team, the Omaha Storm Chasers, play because Ryan, who is a friend of ours, is on the team.  At the end of the night Lincoln told Ryan’s wife, “This is the best day ever.” 

  

After the game, we went with Ryan and Kelli to get some ice cream.  I caught Ryan mid-bite (Sorry)

  

After ice cream, we headed to Phil’s apartment to go to bed.  The next morning we headed to the Omaha Zoo.  I’ll spare you all the animal pictures and just post some with people in them.  =)

              

That night we went to a place called Stella’s.  According to the internet they have the best burgers in Omaha.  The food was really good.  The next day we went to the Children’s Museum.  It was just a couple of blocks away.  We were able to walk back to Phil’s for lunch and then after lunch Phil and Mike took the older two kids back to the museum and I stayed at Phil’s with Creighton so he could nap. 

             

Friday night we went to Creighton University, which is just a few blocks from Phil and took a picture of the kids. 

  

The kids loved Phil and whenever one got his attention, soon the other two wanted his attention as well.

First Swim and T-ball

We were able to go swimming for the first time on May 19.  It seems like usually our first time is Memorial Day weekend, but I’m not complaining.  =)  Summer is the best time of year.  =)  Dad and Mom added a slide to the pool set-up this year and the kids loved it. 

  

Brett was working at the back of Dad/Mom’s property, cutting down some trees.  Once Creighton figured out he was back there, he wanted nothing to do with swimming and only wanted to watch and/or be with Brett.  Here he is sitting in the back of a pick-up watching Brett use the mini-excavator you see in the edge of the picture. 

Kate asked to play t-ball this year and we thought it would be a good opportunity for her.  Two of our neighbors are here coaches and so far she seems to really enjoy being a “Green Giant.”  Her first game I only caught her playing in the dirt once and she was able to hit the ball without the tee both times she was up to bat. 

 

Lincoln dreams of the day when he can play a sport, any sport.  He sat and watched almost the entire game.  If you’ve ever watched a tee ball game, you know that this is quite something, as they are not the most exciting event ever.  =)

Field Day

It doesn’t seem like it has been that long since I put pictures on the blog, but we have been busy, so even though I’m only two weeks behind, it will take me several posts to get our “journal blog” caught up. 

This boy is just busy.  Mike and I find him to be very similar to the monkey, Curious George.  =)  In one picture, he pushed a box over to the counter so he could play on my phone.  In the other he is uploading the measuring cups and spoons. 

 

Growing up, I do not remember having field day at school, so I was really excited when I found out they have one at Dee-Mack now.  I had the opportunity to help out for the day.  I had a great time and so did Kate.  I was at the sponge station, helping the Kindergarten and First Graders with that station.  They have so much energy.  In my opinion, those of you who teach those grades are among the greatest heroes of all.  It takes a special kind of energy and personality to do that day in and day out, so thank you!

     

Kate had a very successful first year of school.  Much of that, is due to this awesome lady!  Mrs. Boss was AMAZING with her and let me tell you, Kate gave her a run for her money a time or two (or three or four).   An unexpected blessing in the year is that as the year progressed, I found that I had gained a great friend in Mrs. Boss and look forward to many  more fun memories as the years continue.

Another special person in Kate’s life this year has been Sami.  Kate and Sami have been the best of friends and are two of the giggliest girls ever.  =)

Thanksgiving Baby :)

It was another busy week here, but lots of fun!  Tuesday night Kate had her Kindergarten music program.  I was awarded mother-of-the year when I forgot to bring our camera or anything to document said event.  =)

Wednesday I went with Lincoln and his preschool class to the Fondulac Farm Park.  Lincoln loved it. 

    

The boys were REALLY hungry one day and couldn’t wait for the frozen pizza to be finished.  =)

We spent Friday evening with Derek and Meaghan.  Doesn’t she look amazing.  You’d never know by looking that we lost her several times and she had a heart defibulator (sp?) put in.  Meaghan, we are so grateful you are still with us!  You’ve become like an aunt to our kids and they (we all) love you so much!

Saturday night, Kate had earned a free ticket to a Peoria Chief’s game as a reward for reading a certain number of hours at school.  She got a free hot dog and lemonade.  We also were able to purchase tickets to attend with her.   We had 4 total seats, but at one point we wondered why we bought so many when all 3 kids were sitting on Mike’s lap.  =)  You can barely see Lincoln in his Cardinals hat in the back of the picture.

Sunday, Brett and Tessa had us over for Mother’s Day.  I did not even take a picture of my mom!  But, here are a few of the kids having a blast playing with Uncle Brett and Aunt Tessa’s “toys.” 

  

Creighton playing with Lincoln’s hat.

  

I thought it would be fun to get a picture with the 3 kids on Mother’s Day.  It didn’t work out quite like I wanted.  =)  Creighton wanted nothing to do with standing by the rest of us.  =)

 

On last note, if you haven’t heard yet, we are excited to meet a new little Rassi around Thanksgiving.  It came as a bit of a surprise to us as last fall we were told that there was only a 0-10% chance we would be able to have any more children.  When we told the doctor, he said, “Well, I said it was improbable, not impossible.”  =)  Kate and Lincoln are super excited and had fun calling their grandparents to tell them the news.  The pregnancy has been a bit rocky with a lot of nausea, a case of food poisoning, getting called in for an early sono when they thought I was possibly pregnant with twins (I am NOT), but since our chances of getting pregnant were so slim, it is much easier for us to take all these things in stride and say, “God brought us to this point, He must want this for our family.”  I am thankful to be thru what seems to have been the worst of the sickness and feeling better every day.  We’d still appreciate your prayers thru the pregnancy and afterwards as we adjust to a new normal at our house.  =)