Monday, November 9, 2009

California 2009

Fake background at Rainforest Cafe
Lily didn't like the big monkey.
On the boat going to Alcatraz

At the Bay Aquarium watching the fishies with Daddy.
Help me Mommy!
Gary and Becky's pool.
At Lake Tahoe...so big!
At the Disney Store
Lake Tahoe
Lily with her Uncle Gary
Family pic at Lake Tahoe

Last Monday the three of us boarded an airplane and took off for California. We traveled to Roseville (near Sacramento) to visit Jason's brother, sister in law and their new baby boy. I was worried and nervous about flying with Lily this time because she is much older and much more "active" than the last time she flew. I myself do not like flying, so I wasn't really looking forward to that part at all. Lily was a bit fussy on the flight from Omaha to Denver, but then she thankfully slept from Denver to Sacramento. All in all, not too bad. The weather was beatiful the entire week we were there. It was usually upper 60's to lower 70's with bright shining sun. I'm so thankful for Gary and Becky for opening their home up to us and for taking us places and for letting us use their vehicle and car seat for Lily. It really saved us a lot of hassle and money! Lily met her new baby cousin, Brayden, for the first time. We could not take our eyes off of her when she was near him nor could we really ever let her freely roam the house like she does ours. She didn't understand that the "baby" was different from her "baby". I am happy that Lily got to experience so many different things while we were there. I know she won't remember what she got to do, but at least I have a lot of pictures for her to see when she gets older. We spent an afternoon at Lake Tahoe...one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! Lily could have sat down by the water with her daddy throwing rocks in all day long...one of my most fondest memories of this trip. She loved it! Jason and I drove to San Fransisco with Lily and stayed over night. We spent the first day down on Pier 30 and Fisherman's Wharf. It was a little chilly down by the water, but very pretty. We walked up and down the Pier and then we took Lily to the Bay Aquarium. She got to pet a baby shark and bat ray...she loved the fishies! We stayed in Union Square, but did not do any shopping. The next morning we headed back down to the Wharf and did the Alcatraz tour. It was pretty neat. We took a boat over to the island and the whole time Lily was saying "wa wa, wa wa, wa wa." She couldn't get enough of it! After the Alcatraz tour we had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Overpriced, but neat atmosphere and just plain fun! We headed back to Roseville for one last night with Gary, Becky and Brayden and then we packed up and flew back home on Saturday just in time to watch the Huskers...what a game! GO BIG RED!
Lily is changing so much these days. She has so much more hair, she is stubborn as ever, ornery as ever, and just plain WILD! I love her dearly though, and I know this is payback because my mom said I was the same way. She is getting her second molar in right now and is hasn't really bothered her much at all. Anyway...I am just rambling now. Enjoy the pics...I took 322 of them while we were there so I can only post a few!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween 2009

Tuckered out after a long night of trick or treating!
Trick or Treating with Daddy
Sneaking some candy.
Our little Lady Bug
Visiting Great Grandma Paces

What a perfect day/night for trick or treating! On Friday we dressed Lily up in her costume and took her to see her Great Grandma Paces. Grandma was so excited to see her! We visited for a while and then headed up North to Newcastle to visit Grandma and Grandpa on the farm. Saturday morning was opening day for pheasant hunting so of course Jason couldn't miss it! Lily had a nice time playing with Grandma and Grandpa, her Uncles Matt and Lonnie and her cousins Nathan and Evan. Lily loved playing outside on the farm! She got to help pick apples, chase the cats, and play with the cows...what a day! We made it back to Omaha around 4pm...just in time to get all dressed up again to go trick or treating with Lily's cousin Bubba (Jahrran). Ma and Pa Mike, Uncle Justin, Bubba, Brian, Aunt Kylie, Mommy and Daddy all went trick or treating with Little Lily the Lady Bug! She filled her Elmo bucket with all sorts of candy. I think more than anything she was just happy to be outside running around. After hitting up a few streets in the neighborhood we headed up to church for the Fall Festival. This was AMAZING! The church was all decorated and was full of games, prizes, food and candy! Lily had a blast! I got a little taste of what lies ahead on Saturday night. Lily was so wild and ornery I almost lost my mind...no joke! At the church we'd put her down and off she went. She was running around, going up to total strangers, taking other kids balloons, climbing up the slide all by herself..etc. She wanted to run free and she would not let us hold her for anything! She usually always looks back to make sure mom or dad are nearby, but she didn't care on Halloween! She just wanted to go, go, go! I think it was because there were so many people and kids around. Anyway...we all had a great time. We spent all day today getting packed up and ready for our trip to Sacramento, CA tomorrow. We are flying out in the morning and staying until Saturday. We are going to visit Jason's brother and our sister-in-law and new nephew....Brayden Ray Kneifl. Please pray for us and wish us luck as we will be traveling with a very ORNERY 13 month old!