Nebraska in July

In July we went on vacation to Nebraska.  In order to get the best price and to not be in the airports all day & night we had to take a very early morning flight, as in leave the house at 4:30 in the morning to get to the airport on time.

And then we had a 3 hour layover in the Denver airport.  Connecting flights are never fun to begin with especially when you have such a long time to wait for the next flight.  When you add 3 kids into that mix it becomes interesting!  They actually did extremely well the whole time but by the time we got on the next plane we were certainly ready to be in Nebraska.  Thankfully the second flight doesn't take as long.  Anyways to pass our time we sat near the windows so they could watch the planes coming in and out but then we had a little visitor...a moth flew over by us.  At first I just wanted to get away from it but then it gave my children minutes upon minutes of entertainment!!  I think we sat and watched that thing for at least 30 minutes if not more! :)

We finally made it to Nebraska and were able to enjoy some sparklers and fireworks!

My sister's dog, Remy, was a big hit with the kids.  They are constantly asking if we can get a dog so for this vacation it was like they got their wish and did not wait to show their love to him!

Every year when we go back to Nebraska the girls get to live out one of their dreams which is to ride on a horse.  They LOVE horses and if they had it their way we would have a handful of them or at least one or two of them.  I love watching their faces light up as they get to be up close and personal with the horses.  They love getting to ride on them but honestly I think they would also just love to sit and be near them every day if they could.  

However, the girls are very fortunate since my amazing cousins always let them ride their horses when we go back.  This year our first stop was my cousin Brad & Stacy's farm were the girls got a real treat.  They were able to ride on their own with out any help meaning no one was leading them around the yard.  They got to do everything on their own!!  To play it safe my uncle and cousin walked along side them just in case. 

It was probably one of the best things they have ever been able to do.  To ride with out help and to be able to direct them where ever they wanted to go, well with in the boundaries of the rink.

Later in the week we headed out to my cousin Kristy & Cory's farm where they were able to ride Ginger again.  This year Thor was able to join in on the fun.  We weren't sure if he would like it or if he would get scared.  He LOVED it just like his sisters and did not want to get off!! Hehe :)

Since Grace is a little older and has been doing this every year we are back there for awhile now she got a special treat.  She was able to trot with Ginger!!  Not far but far enough and it resulted in the biggest smile ever!  Uncle Dave made her day or vacation with that short little trot. :)

They were also able to get up close with the cows and able to pet them too!  We probably could have gone back to Nebraska and only done these two days and the girls would have considered it the best vacation ever! :)

However, we did do other things while we were back there. ;)

The kids with all of their cousins on my side.

We also took a family trip to the zoo!  I love the zoo back there.  There is so much to see and they have done a really great job with everything.  Part of it was under construction and I can't wait to go back and see all the amazing improvements they have done.  Seriously if you ever make it to Omaha, Nebraska you have to go check out the zoo!  You will not be disappointed for sure!

If only we knew what he was saying....

We were also able to see my best friend back there and all of her children too.  The kids got along great and Mandi & I were able to talk and catch up on everything!

That is basically our trip in a nut shell.  A lot of the days were just spent hanging out at someone's house and letting the kids play.  It had been a couple of years since we were back so it was great to see everyone.  We were also able to be back for a family reunion and I was able to see so many cousins that I have not seen in years.  It was a great and relaxing trip!!