#hoybooksummeroffun

The Hoybook Summer of Fun kicked off officially over the weekend with the first event of oh, let's say lots, this summer.  Last summer, I felt like we just didn't get it together.  We arrived in May, but then I was busy job searching, Bryan was busy shooting weddings on the weekends and I felt like we didn't really take advantage of everything Omaha has to offer during the summer.  Not so much this year.  This year, I am making it happen.  We're coming for you summer, watch out.

Our first event? La Vista Daze.  Kate and I paid a visit to the La Vista Daze carnival where she and her buddy Skyler lived it up.  Sno-cones and a carousel make for a very happy Kate.

(Let me just clarify that Kate takes a non-traditionalist approach to riding the carousel.  I believe her exact words were, "Ooo, mommy, I want to ride on that cute bench, those horses are scary."

Around here lately...

Farm Life

My aunt and uncle live on the Von Seggern family farm outside of Scribner and have recently been making some changes to the homestead.  They are adding on to the house also working on tearing down an old corn crib that isn't being used anymore. Everyone was still in town so it was only natural that we all ended up out at the farm again the day after Grandma's funeral.

Kate and I drove up for the day so we could get in on some farm antics with the cousins. Tearing down a corn crib with a chainsaw? Check. Going for a tractor ride with Uncle Don? Check. Giving  Claire and Sander a ride on the loader? Check. Yeehaw, farm life is a good time.

Family

The really funny thing about a loving one passing is that while it is a sad occasion, it often ends up becoming a joyful one because family comes together.  And I just love it when my family is together.

Hmm, apparently, no one told me about the family height requirement.

Completely Blessed

When B and I were trying to make the incredibly hard decision to move from Portland to Omaha, we made a pros and cons list. The biggest and #1 pro for Omaha was that we would be near family. Kate would be able to know and form relationships with her great aunts and uncles and cousins and most importantly, her Great Grandma.

This week, I am more thankful for that than anything as my sweet, wonderful Grandma passed away last Saturday evening.  She had been declining for the past couple of months and we last saw her when we made the Kate handoff to my parents for our Portland trip. As we said goodbye, she took my face in her hands and said she loved me and I think she knew it might be the last time.  I know that Kate won't really remember her Great Grandma, but Grandma will remember Kate and it gives me the most wonderful feeling of peace to know that she can tell Grandpa all about her.

Oh, how we will miss her! Her letters, her thoughtful gifts and crafts, her conversations about every topic under the sun, her cookies, cakes and quilts. Grandma, we love so.

(The photo above is from July 4, 2013 when Grandma was dozing in the chair and Kate just walked up, handed her a book and crawled into her lap. So glad I was able to capture it.)

Hoybooks

Around here lately...

Our big girl

Our little Kate isn't so little anymore. And, we are finally admitting that it may be time for her to grow up just a little bit. (Wah!) This past weekend, we took down her crib and brought in her first big girl bed.

 It's just a mattress for now as we are stripping and painting a new bed frame for her, but she doesn't care. #sheisfinallyfree

Portland tourists

One of the many, many perks of living close to a set of grandparents is that you have built-in babysitters.  I mean, that's a huge score in my book. We FINALLY took advantage of that wee little detail last weekend and left Kate in Wayne with my parents while B and I took a long weekend vacay to Portland. It was my first night away from Kate ever so I was kind of a nervous wreck the whole time, but it's a good thing we had plenty of plans with friends to take my mind off things.

We actually planned the weekend around a wedding B had been booked to photograph so we decided to do the whole thing "European tourist" style. We didn't rent a car and spent the weekend cruising around town on public transportation--the MAX, the bus and even the streetcar.

We also stayed in a hotel downtown and basically acted like tourists in our own (old) city.  With the help from some very willing friends, we got to eat at all our favs and tried a few new places too. I also got to spend most of Sunday with Craig and Bridget while Bryan was at the wedding--gosh, I miss them!

It was an awesome trip and really good to be back for a few days. Portland, we miss you!

Kate Movie Friday

She dances.

They called us crazy.

The zoo is best seen with good friends, so Carla and Jon invited us along over the weekend for an awesome "let's take all the kids to the zoo" extravaganza. They were watching Mindy's kids that day so our crew included Carla, Jon, Christian, Ben, Cadence, Hudson, Harper, Paxton, Bryan, Kate and me. I can't even tell you how many times I did a kid head count, but we had a blast.

Conversations with Kate

Mommy: Kate, that game is about getting an allowance. Do you know what an allowance is?
Kate: Yes, I need to get the money for my lobsters and my dinosaurs.

Daddy: Wow, Kate, it's really cold outside.
Kate: No daddy, it's not cold, it's freezing.

Heard from the backseat, Kate:  Mommy, daddy is a big boy, he wears big jeans. I'm a big girl, I wear big panties.

Kate, while trying to get a piece of masking tape off her fingers: Gosh, this tape is so tapey.

Kate, after hearing a siren: A fire truck! It's going to help someone.
Mommy: That's right, they are going to help.
Kate: Yeah, someone needs help with their hair.

Kate, while reading Snow White: Eww, gross. We don't eat poison apples from old ladies, we eat new apples from new old ladies.

Daddy: Kate, how long was your nap?
Kate: Twenty dollars.

Kate Movie Monday

She sings.

Be Mine

A little Valentine's Day crafting.

Around here lately...

It has been cold lately (like -20 degree windchill cold) so we have been hibernating in the house, wearing our pjs until noon these days. You'd think with the chilly temps, those dolls would get to wear some clothes, but you would be mistaken.

Christmas #4

Our fourth and final Christmas was held at our house while Scott and Brook were in town.  Kate was, again, spoiled, but this time by Legos.  Oh boy, can we have some fun now.  She also received a new red sled, perfect for some fun adventures this winter.

However, since Fourth Christmas landed on a 70 degree January day in Nebraska, she had to settle for a slightly different sled ride.