Omaha Road Trip….Day 4

As has been documented on here in the past – the zoo is very special to Trent.  He really enjoyed working there while growing up and it means a lot to him for our family to go visit when we are there.  It is an amazing zoo and it was really fun taking Hud this year!

Hanging out on the lion when we first got there:

The aquarium is amazing….the sharks and other fish swim right over your head and you can get super close!

Sweet Harper:

Can’t quite remember where we were headed here:

Looking right at home ;):

The peacocks wander around the zoo…Hudson tried to have a conversation with this one:

This train wasn’t working so Hudson did a little exploring:

Naptime :):

A wonderful visit to the zoo that resulted in the ONLY nap Hudson took during our time in Omaha. A small miracle! :)

Omaha Road Trip…Day 3 (aka 4th of July)

Fourth of July started bright and early for us, as is the trend with Hudson and vacations.  Trent LOVES the 4th of July.  One of the things he loves about being in Omaha on the 4th, is that it is legal to shoot off fireworks.  Now, being the overprotective mom that I am – I didn’t want him to get anything that could potentially go off and hurt one of the kids (tragically, that day a local girl back home was burned very badly as the result of a firework mishap).  But, parachutes, smoke balls, and that sort of thing I was fine with. As long as Hudson stood very far back when they were being lit (total overprotective, helicopter mom here. I am not ashamed). 

Anyway, we drove down to Ft. Calhoun that morning to buy the fireworks.  Ft. Calhoun is this little town near Omaha.  There used to be a fantastic ice cream place that Trent and his family went to growing up.  It was one of my favorite places in Omaha. Sadly, it is gone. :( But, the firework stands remain!

My boys at the stand:

Blurry pic…but SO proud!

There is a very pretty little drive on the way back:

When we got back we took Harper’s 8 month picture:

Then Hudson wanted to love on his sister:

An attempt at a picture of Hudson and I (because I have maybe 2):

Harper and I fared a little better (meaning she smiled):

Hudson experiencing poppers:

And this fun streamer thingys:

Smoke balls…I love that he is trying to blow the smoke away.  I am pretty sure that he said it was yucky:

Happy boy. Jodeen planned a barbecue for the whole family.  Hudson was loving running around with his 2nd cousins (I think that is right. or maybe it is cousins once removed? I am not sure):

He decided to catch himself:

Twice…

Ending a fun day with (2) bowls of ice cream!

Omaha Road Trip…Day 2

Well, after a very, very, very late night to bed (for my very early to bed kids) they were up and raring to go. A little too early for this exhausted mommy. :) Regardless, away we went. 

We brought some outdoor toys for Hud to play with while we were there. Harper went down for a very long morning nap and we took Hud out to play.

First, a round of catch:

Then a quick retreat to the garage so Hud could ride Trent’s tricycle.  He was obsessed with it.

Baby boy looks a little too grown up for me here!

Back to the yard for a little t-ball action:

A little exploring:

Hudson wanted to do a little “To infinity and beyond!”

Then Hudson had his first experience with frisbee:

Harper woke up and joined us.  Of course, I had a plethora of holiday themed outfits for both of the kids, so we did a little photo shoot:

And Hudson sporting his new sunglasses from Nana:

After a fun filled day of playing outside we hit up Trader Joe’s (which was SUPER exciting for Trent and I.  Cannot wait until it opens in DFW).  And then we picked up our favorite pizza from La Casa (which sounds like it should totally be a Mexican food place, but it is Italian).  A very fun first day!