Tag Archives: Durham

New Year’s Eve 2018

Mom had to work during the day so Des and Dad ventured out to Noon Year’s Eve at the Durham, despite Des feeling a bit under the weather

Packed in like toddler-sized sardines, scored a cozy spot just under the tree behind the stage

Tunes leading up to the countdown by the usual group, though when the crowd requested “Baby Shark,” they barely got through a verse (not that requests are a requisite, but how does a musician specializing in kids entertainment not know the #15 video off all time on youtube w/ 2.5 billion views?)

“3… 2… 1… Happy Noon Year!!”

As the balloons and confetti dropped, of course he hand to grab an orange balloon

Clearly worn down and ready for a nap, a sushi lunch date evolved to take-out avocado roll at home. But still tasty.

Eleanor is going bye-bye and taking her baby with her, no car seat necessary

Mom’s New Years Eve-themed gift bag from work included a silver-glitter shot glass… big hit with the little ones!

Cheers to a new  year!

Special treat for dinner- poke bowls!

“Got a little something there on your shirt, sweetie…”

November 23rd, 2018

Each barn Des constructs must contain a fully operational crane

While the world is out shopping, it’s a good morning for a zoo trip with some friends

Petting the starfish, which will never be the same after watching Finding Dory

Des still insists this is not Nemo, but Nemo’s father, Martin

Little fishies convention

20+ laps later, still had to coax her into going to see the butterflies

Not her first time at the butterfly pavilion, but certainly the most excited she’s been to see so many real butterflies

Ella opted to join dad (racing eyes-closed through the insect section) to see the big butterflies outside

Ella (respectfully) encounters a new, inquisitive friend

The Great Standoff

Des keeping up with Grace and Clara

Little monkeys surveying the jungle

“Is your mama a llama?” I asked my friend Dave. “No, she is not,” is the answer Dave gave. “She hangs by her feet, and she lives in a cave. I do not believe that’s how llamas behave.” “Oh,” I said. “You are right about that. I think that your mama sounds more like a…”

This may have been right after Grace bonked Ella, but no tears

“Turtle!”

“When something is new, holding a hand can help you.”

Mom thoughtfully squeezing in as much exercise before nap time

And because it was a Friday, time to seize the falafel at Oasis Falafel of Omaha. Run, don’t walk.

Celebrating Falafel Friday with aunt Kellie

A bit hangry and pouty

But who wouldn’t smile at this feast??

After naps, it was time for the annual tradition of the tree lighting at the Durham Museum. Of course it all starts with meeting this guy-

One of the first in line to see Santa, going early is certainly advantageous. Then it’s off to decorate, and then consume, cookies.

The first holiday cookie of the season

When dad asked Eleanor if she would share a little bit of her cookie, she was eager to oblige. Des points to the crumb that was (laughably) even too small for a mouse.

Rudolph!

One of these years we’ll stay late enough for the actual lighting ceremony 🙂

Des with some trepidation, but not sister.

Staring at the tiny cows and chickens

Yeah, someone is tired

November 24th, 2017

Desmond and mom raking up the pods before dad dethatches. The overhead of the additional “help” is notable

 

She is utterly convinced the spinning portion of the drill is removable, as attested to by her persistence in trying to grab and pull it while whilst operating the drill

Eleanor’s new habit is to grab the remote and go fetch a blanket. While not much TV watching goes on to mimic to begin with, she just likes turning the remote around and pushing buttons

Eleanor practicing her new face, clearly excited for the tree lighting at the Durham

Des was a bit nervous to meet Santa last year, but was an old pro this go-around. He also asked Santa for “a barn,” though Santa could only laugh, having not heard that one yet this century.

Stepping into the map, near home

Exploring the Zoom Into Nano exhibit

“On your head, for a hat”

Desmond exploring the inside of a silicon wafer

New Years Eve 2016

With countless toddlers with noisemakers, we once again rang in the “noon year” at the Durham.

Des not impressed with the band

Waiting for those balloons

So many balloons to catch/stomp

And confetti!

Eleanor hanging out with Lindsay and mom

…and with Billy and the girls

Des says, “hi” to the gentlemen viewing the arrivals and departures board

Walking out on 2016

Spending the last night of 2016 with friends

High fives to the new year!

Durham Tree Lighting

Mom was changing sister’s diaper and came downstairs to Des trying to make his own bowl of cereal… one little handful at a time. There was more on the floor than in the bowl, but he demonstrated initiative.

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Desmond’s new thing this week has been requesting, “snuggle.” So after nap, he wanted to snuggle with mom and baby sister.

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Each year Durham Western Heritage Museum has a lighting ceremony for the season’s tree. Going down a bit early on the toddler schedule avoided some of the crowd, a genuinely nice evening out.

Des wasn’t so certain about visiting Santa, but sat for a brief moment on dad’s lap before squirming out of frame. Maybe some animated Santa is in order to build up any endearment 🙂

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Decorate your own cookies?! Get a cookie, messy frosting and get to draw on it? Yes please!

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Just as spectacular before the tree was all lit up too

Taking it all in

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“Caboose!”

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Sitting on the vintage streetcar, pointing at the next knob to twist or turn

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Last time Des was in the lounge car, he was barely walking

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February 13th, 2016

Des and dad meet up in the morning with some friends at the Durham Western Heritage Museum. Valentines for kids, coffee for the parents. We explored the trains to run off some energy

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Des isn’t so sure of stepping out on the grate off the caboose

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Valentine’s day shades

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“Not sure what I can do from atop this ladder, but it’s sure to help, right dad?” Or, “see a ladder, climb a ladder…”

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Noon Year’s Eve

This year we met up with many friends at Durham Museum’s Noon Year’s Eve.

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Des and dad were interviewed on KETV (see at 0:53 below), though poking the boom mic was only interesting part

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Snacks across Omaha

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Des exploring one of the Union Pacific heritage trains

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Ringing in the new year and exchanging gifts with Grace, Jason, and Clara (kept the same red balloon all day)

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Pointing is the new “in” thing, with Eric and Gini

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