Memorial Day Weekend

It was nice to enjoy the long weekend with our family! Following Jantsen's graduation, Kyle and I took the kiddies to dinner at a fun place called Dave N Busters. It is a restaurant/arcade/game place that was so much fun. The food was good and not expensive at all. We spent a couple of hours letting Jantsen play most of the games there. He loved playing skeeball and is pretty good now that he can sling the ball up there by himself. It was pretty funny to watch. (Unfortunately my camera is broken and we have yet to get a new one, so no pictures or videos until then) But he rode on almost all the car/motorcycle racing rides and played other little games that gave him lots of tickets. There was one game that involved a polar bear that would swing a bat everytime you pushed a button, and you would try to get him to hit a fish that came out of a ice fishing hole. Everytime we hit the fish and it would go flying, Jantsen would just laugh and laugh, his big belly laugh. I think we played that for about 20 minutes because he couldn't get enough of the fish flying and we couldn't get enough of him laughing and having a good time. Kambryn was even able to help Kyle out on a few games. We only spent $10 on games and were definitely able to get alot of enjoyment and tickets out of the games. It was a wonderful night out with just our little family.

Memorial Day was filled with BBQ and fun with friends. The first BBQ, for lunch, we went to was with some ward and neighborhood friends over at the institute. At first there were only maybe 5 or 6 families but after alittle while I think there was about 12 different families that showed up and we had a fun time grilling some hamburgers, eating LOTS of food, watching the guys play sand volleyball. and keeping the kids out of trouble. Both Jantsen and Kambryn had plenty of kids to play with and it was so much fun hanging out with our friends. We met a few new families that moved in and it is going to be fun getting to know them better as well. I love Village Green and the fun people who live here.

Our other BBQ was with Kyle's law school friends. This was later in the evening and we had to drive out to a lady's, named Sandy, farm in Iowa. It was so much fun being out in the country and hanging out with friends. The food was AMAZING! I am not a big steak fan but man the steak that her husband grilled/smoked was fabulous! Jantsen was so excited with all the space and animals and toys that he had no idea what do to do with himself. He was bouncing all over the place with his little mind and body running a million miles an hour. One second he was playing with all their cats and then would immediately stop and take off running and go get on the slide and swing and do that for about 5 minutes and then run over to the pasture to look at the cows and then sprint to go back to the cats that were climbing trees and then stop for a second and look at all the rolling hills of corn fields and crops. There was so much open land and area. Just driving in the car he wouldn't stop looking out his window. I think he is so use to seeing just buildings and other cars but out in the country he could see for miles and miles. And I think he loved seeing the lines that the crops made out in the fields. It was Jantsen heaven being out on the farm. He totally cried when we had to leave but Sandy invited us back later so Jantsen I'm sure will talk about the farm for weeks to come until we get a chance to go back.

My friend Angie took this pic of Kambryn at the farm. I will post some more if I can get some.

It was a busy but wonderful day here in Omaha celebrating Memorial Day! Our thoughts and prayers were with our family and friends as we remember our loved ones that have passed away!

Monday was also my dad's and Kade's birthday. First "Uncle Kade" is just amazing. He is the uncle that ALL the kids swarm to and want to be around. Jantsen was helping me write a birthday card to Kade and Jantsen told me to write that he "wants Kade to come to Omaha and play trains with him soon". Kade is just a great guy, and plus he can really bust a move on the dance floor (our wedding reception and also at Kara and Greg's reception.) He is so much fun to be around and just a great influence and example to my family. We love you Kade!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful DAD! My dad is one of the greatest influences in my life! I have looked to him for guidance, support, encouragement, laughter, and he has been there for me every moment that I have turned for help. Before my dad had any kids, my Grandma always told him that she hoped he had a kid that was just like him as child, and I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing that she says that I am that child! Stubborn and always full of surprises! My dad is a very social person! He enjoys meeting strangers and will pretty much talk to anyone, even if he doesn't remember anyone's name, he sure likes to talk. His stories are just wonderful. They get exaggerated everytime he re-tells it but he sure knows how to tell a good story. He is not only a wonderful dad and papa and husband, he also works hard and is dedicated to the gospel. He loves the church and I am grateful for the knowledge and testimony he has. My dad is wonderful and I hope he had a great birthday. We love you so much and thanks for everything! love your favorite child and her family!