Nebraska 2010: Part Four

Nebraska 2010:  Part Four

DAYS TWELVE through FIFTEEN

May 13th-16th

DAY TWELVE:  THURSDAY, MAY 13th:

For some reason, I have no pictures from the 13th or the 14th, so this may be a shorter blog post.  Not exactly sure what happened on this day... 

DAY THIRTEEN:  FRIDAY, MAY 14th:

...or on this day.  Sorry!  And I look back at the calendar and there is nothing to give me any clues.

DAY FOURTEEN:  SATURDAY, MAY 15th:

But, I do have some pictures from this evening.  Not sure about the day, BUT...That evening Natalie finally mastered sitting up. Here are her first sitting pictures, all by herself.

Yeah, I can do it!

Momma...gimme that camera!

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!  She is so proud of herself...sitting and playing, all by herself!

DAY 15:  SUNDAY, MAY 16th

Natalie is six months old today!

After attending the 8:30am church service, Natalie, Grammie, Aunt Carrie and I all hopped in the car and headed for Lincoln to spend the day with Uncle Brian and Ont Sarah. 

We arrived in Lincoln just around noon, so we met B and S at my favorite restaurant in the Haymarket of Lincoln, Buzzard Billy's.  Actually, I don't know if it is my favorite restaurant in that town, but they have my all-time favorite sandwich...an amazing Philly Cheese Steak Po'Boy!  The last time I had one of these was before Tony and I were married...TOO long!

Buzzard Billy's is known for their odd items such as Gator Fingers and Armadillo Eggs.  They have quite a few gators on display.  Brian helped Natalie get acquainted. 

Ummm...Brian...I'm not too sure about this?!?!?!  MOM????

Brian, Sarah, Natalie, and I at Buzzard Billy's.

This was just after Natalie had reached for Sarah's glass of water and spilled it all over the table.  Those two have some learning to do about a baby's reaching capabilities! :)

Meeting B and S's dogs, Crowder, and Caesar. 

Caesar, Brian, and Natalie

Oooo...he looks like fun!  (Compare the size of his head to Natalie's entire body!)

Getting to know one another!

I think Caesar's collar would fit as my belt.

Sarah playing with Natalie.

More playtime.  She's such a great sister to have added into the family!

Brian, Me, and Carrie hanging the mirror.

That was our job while in Lincoln that afternoon...hang wall decor. 

Testing the mirror.

Me frying potatoes in the skillet for dinner.

Natalie playing the African drum Brian brought back from Zambia.

We had a great day in Lincoln...thanks to Brian and Sarah!

Love your first home and so proud of you both!

Nebraska 2010: Part Three

Nebraska 2010:  Part Three

Days EIGHT thru ELEVEN

May 9th-12th

DAY 8:  SUNDAY, MAY 9th

Carrie's Graduation

Carrie really wanted Brian and Sarah to be able to be present when she opened all of her graduation gifts.   

Since they were going to have to head back to Lincoln Sunday evening, we decided to skip church Sunday morning and stay home to watch Carrie open her gifts she got from her party on Saturday night.  Grandma Colleen came out and joined us for the gift opening.  I think Carrie will be set for college after all those gifts. 

Following the gift opening, we went to the O.K. Cafe to celebrate Mother's Day.  It was great food, and we got our own little room, which was really nice!  What a GREAT first Mother's Day!  To have my wonderful husband by my side, and my adorable daughter making me a mommy!

After eating too much, we headed back to mom and dad's to get ready for the graduation ceremony.

Here was Carrie just before she left for graduation...so anxious!

On her way down the aisle...ceremony about to begin.

Bringing a rose to mom and dad and sharing some hugs!

After receiving her diploma...BIG SMILE!

Lynn, Carrie, Grandma Colleen, John

ALL THE KIDS!!!!!

Sarah and Brian, Kevin, Carrie, Amy, Natalie, and Tony

Sisters!  I love you Care-Bear!

Natalie with Daddy!  Check out her fun outfit for Carrie's graduation!

So so so happy daddy could be here in NE to celebrate Carrie's graduation with the family!

Uncle Biff is the best!

Cuddling with Great-Grandma Colleen

With Uncle Brian and Ont Sarah!  They are SO MUCH FUN!

Carrie, we are SO proud of you!  You have grown into an outstanding young woman of Christ, and truly live your life for Him.  Keep up the hard work and maintain that solid ground...WE LOVE YOU!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS AUNT CARRIE!!!!

DAY 9:  MONDAY, MAY 10th:

Today was a relaxing day at home with Tony, Natalie, Carrie and I.  We caught up on sleep from the previous busy days and just hung out.  In the evening, we went to Kevin's choir concert. 

Even though Grammie Lynn caught Natalie with a yawn, she really was enjoying the music!

Kevin receiving his award.

At home that night after the concert, Natalie played a little basketball!

DAY 10: TUESDAY, MAY 11th:

Daddy headed back to Montana this morning.  Thankfully he had a good drive home and made it safely. 

During the day, Uncle Biff had a golf meet, so after lunch, Carrie, Natalie and I packed up and headed over to Southern Hills just outside Hastings to watch Kevin golf his last five or six holes. 

As a rule, we had to stay 50 feet away from Kevin during each hole, and could not speak to him at all.  I broke the first rule a bit and snuck Natalie close to him in the stroller while Carrie took this picture!

This picture was allowed as this was just before he started Hole 6, although we didn't speak!

Our little trooper was all bundled up.  It was a nice day, just a bit windy.

After the golf meet Natalie wanted to take a picture with her favorite golfer on the Adams Central team in the parking lot before we left. :)

Great job Kevin!  We had a blast watching you!  So proud of your accomplishments!

Later that evening before bedtime, Grammie Lynn read Natalie some books. 

She really enjoyed the picture books, as did Grammie! :)

Thanks for the hospitality Dad, Mom, Carrie, and Kevin!  We miss Daddy but we feel right at home!

So glad we could share this time in Nebraska with you all!

DAY 11:  WEDNESDAY, MAY 12th:

Not much for daytime plans today.  Just enjoying the time Natalie and I get to spend with Aunt Carrie during the day, with Grandpa John on his lunch break, and Grammie Lynn and Uncle Biff after school is out.

Here is Natalie enjoying a carrot and her first apple slice to gnaw on for a while.

Wow mom...two things?

Both hands are full...this little girl's dream.

I'll try the carrot first.

HAHAHAHA...This is Natalie's new thing...she shrugs her shoulders and I caught it on film!  HILARIOUS!

Hmmm...now maybe for the apple?

It's good, especially mixed with the carrot!

That evening we met up with the rest of the Hohlen clan at Great-Grandma Colleen's house for supper.  Her sister and brother-in-law, Aunt LaMerle and Uncle Pete, from California are in town for a couple weeks.  Oh what fun it is to have large family gatherings! 

Here is Natalie, her 2nd cousin Lindsey, her Great Aunt Pat, and 3rd cousin Ethan.

Natalie with Lindsey.  You're a natural Linds...especially now that you can feed her!

Ethan is Natalie's 3rd cousin, and the closest to her in age.  He is five months older than her.

Great to see you LaMerle and Pete.  Wish I would have snuck a picture of Pete...maybe next time!