Tag Archives: Pa

Bats Over Omaha 2018

For the first time in several years, the timing was just right to take the kids to the annual bat release at Joslyn. Each winter, a non-profit accepts calls for wildlife removal. The animals commonly need cared for, then in the case of the bats, returned back into the wild.

The welcoming committee was out in full force

Ella and her pa

The coffee filter craft project was a bat (?)

Baby’s first deli sandwich

And for a treat, a mini cupcake

After dinner, Eleanor was fueled-up and ready to go run.

And run.

Here comes the high stepper.

That moment “stepping down” by way of jumping, when the suprise dawns on Ella- “yup, you’re falling”

Des gets a close-up view of one of the stars of the evening

She’ll forever keep the older three on their toes

And now she’s beginning to wind down

Des and Viv look on at the volunteer holding her arms out with bats attached, waiting to fly away

They were mesmorized

One fella need to take a breather before trying to take off again, but eventually made it

February 4th, 2018

A father’s pride: the Sunday morning Bugs Bunny crew

Using the super bowl as an excuse, mom made her famous from-scratch pizza

Dad’s been unusually interested in fresh pineapple in recent years, though Eleanor has zero complaints

Commercial dancing with ma

Goodnight keeses

Des and dad watch a few minutes of Planet Earth II downstairs while sister is nursing

January 27th, 2018

Eleanor was up early in the morning with ma, so she was ready for a quick catnap by mid-morning

Desmond takes a few minutes to wake up, even after naps

Eleanor’s first time walking outside to the car. This was immediately proceeded by her falling down the slight declining slope. But a resilient spirit, she was back up faster than you’d think

Desmond was pretty stoked to be in sandals once again, demonstrating his newfound foot agility- with conviction

Dad is occasionally jealous of the fun that warmer-month birthdays invite. So why not pack and pile the kids into a hotel room merely 10 minutes from the house just to play at an indoor waterpark? Because he had one of the best birthdays in recent memory, that’s why.

Yup, lots to look at, pretty exciting!

After Eleanor got tired walking around the pool (you know, because she’s decided that she’s solely a walker on all surfaces), it’s time for a break

Not shown (regrettably- though forever engrained in dad’s memory, via fear): Desmond, resident three-year-old, going down a two-story waterslide by himself (hey, he technically cleared the 40″ minimum height line). TWICE!

Hanging out at the end of the kiddie slides to watch big brother

“WHEE!”

“Look, Dad, Dad, I’ve ate my share of snapea crisps. In fact, I’ve ate like a lot of people’s share of snapea crisps.” Eleanor clearly prefers the snack course of the hotel room pizza party

In jammies and exhausted

After the girls fell asleep, Desmond and dad laid on the bed watching the rest of Brave. Good movie, fun times

December 24th, 2017

Up early for one of our favorite traditions, pretzels in the making

Who doesn’t love to smash a good egg yoke?

Sugar bae

“Hi mom!”

Des holding his prize possession in the cart seat, as you do

Pa enticing Eleanor to play her favorite game- adult hopping! Doesn’t look like great-uncle Pat is having it

Happy, mere moments before pulling on that towel in the background and nearly braining herself with the pull-down cabinet door. A few tears, but barely a mark. 1960’s safety technology at work.

Des staring down a bowl of ma’s transcendent cream of artichoke soup

Pictured: a rare glimpse of what has come to be known as the “Shriek of Justice!” (an homage to The Princess Bride): a high-pitched warning horn Ella sounds at the faint smell of unfairness. This will all get easier when she acquires language skills, right?

Desmond in his fancy argyle sweater, playing with great-grandma Jan’s toys that have stood the test of time

Cousin hugs/patience

Mom just kinda put it on her finger and walked away. It took a few minutes…

Eleanor witnessing the gift exchange shenanigans first-hand

O Tannenbaum…

December 23rd, 2017

Eleanor more than happy to rip into the wrapping paper, with the help of Buddy and Callie

Ella is ready to mash buttons, though this one won’t dial 9-1-1 

Pa helping Desmond figure out his fancy new water bottle

The Christmas ornament from ma just happened to have Darth Vader’s voice at the press of a button- his new favorite, clearly

“Talking” on her new phone is fun, but just not enough to let go of that empty lens filter box

Cousins and ma figuring out the new game. It’s like a horizontal, spring-loaded jenga?

December 15th, 2017

Celebrating aunt Megan’s BSN graduation

Yum corn!

Cousin hugs

December 9th, 2017

An annual tradition, visiting Santa at pa’s union hall. 

Finally a Christmas tree Eleanor is allowed to touch

Touch all the things!

Practicing her walking more so than her brother, she’ll routinely take several steps. Des just decided not to walk for some time after he initially learned.

Des was eager to see Santa, but got a tad shy when the moment came. He powered through enough though to reiterate his wish for “a barn” 🙂

Ella didn’t know what to make of the situation

Watching Frosty the Snowman

Yay tree

A rare occasion of reading something with mom other than Star Wars

November 19th, 2017

After a night at ma and pa’s house, everyone goes to Liam’s hockey tournament (except dad, he was busy installing the new dishwasher)

Corn cookies from a friend are toddler approved!