Spooktacular

Last Sunday we headed to the zoo for an event that we hadn't been to there before: Spooktacular. Apparently the rest of the city decided to head out there too. It was insanely crazy when we initially got there. So many kids, all in costumes, and it was like a lost child waiting to happen. That being said, we didn't get too many pictures. There were stations set up all over where you could get candy and do different activities.

First up, face painting and hair spraying for Abby. As you can see, her hair has grown in quite a bit. Thankful for fast growing hair!! She is attempting to sit perfectly still here.
Can you see the sparkles and blue spray in her hair? They didn't have pink, so blue had to do. Speaking of which, Abby is on costume number three this year. She was going to be a mermaid (which we bought and now are in need of returning), then SuperGirl (I vetoed that one due to price) and her third choice then was the fairy which she's content with.

They were feeding the elephants while we were there, which was fun to see. We had never seen an elephant being fed before and it's amazing how much they use their noses like a hand. This guy had even discovered how to beg for more.

Our little cub. Have you ever seen a more adorable guy?

The fun even wore him out a bit. Jonah isn't in the pictures, but I'm sure we'll get him covered this weekend.

Prepare to Be Amazed

River City Rodeo

A few weekends ago Brian, the kids and I headed out to the River City Rodeo to check out the sights... and smells. It just so happens that the second largest rodeo in the world is held in Omaha every year and we have never been out to see it! There were tons of free activities for the kids and in true rodeo fashion, the kids and I even shared a turkey leg for lunch. Yep, we're that family.

We didn't really know what to expect when we arrived and this is what we walked in to. There were calves, sheep, pigs, chickens, and other livestock lined up from wall to wall. The animals were being ushered from here to there by all the 4-H kids, so we even had some close encounters with animals. And our strollers might have gotten caked with manure too. :)

In my attempt to get a picture of the kids in the Qwest Center "barn", I squatted. The kids decided they should too. :) Can you see Abby's new cowgirl boots? She loves them.

Levi's favorite part: the lights. As we were sitting back and admiring the livestock, the man on the left asked us where we were from. We told him Omaha, chatted a bit, and then he asked if the kids would like to see a calf up close. Nebraskans are the best, I tell you. So nice!! Anyway, we said sure and he brought his calf over to this holding pen and let the kids have a turn at grooming her. The kids were so grateful and loved pretending to be a cowboy/cowgirl. Although you can't tell, there were all kinds of studded leather for purchase. I always had wondered where some of these cowgirl items were found. :)
Upstairs they had a special area with all kinds of educational agricultural activities. We don't have any pictures of those (daddy was on the phone working and mommy was attempting to not lose any of the children at this time). There was also face painting and since everything else was free, we indulged the kids. They loved getting to choose what to have painted.
We couldn't leave Levi out of all the fun! What a cute little cornhusker.
After lunch they gave a free tour of where the rodeo actually was being held. It was so cool to get behind the scenes info about the rodeo and we learned a lot about this sport. We would love to get tickets to go next year! By the way, this is the Qwest Center arena, where Brian actually played Creighton at. In this picture we are standing on 8 inches of dirt. Amazing!

Ah, Memories

I was listing a bunch of things on Craigslist this morning and came across these long lost pictures from when Uncle Nick and Aunt Ali were here in early July. We loved having you guys out!! Can't wait to do it again sometime. On a side note, look at Abby's long, flowing hair. Holy cow. Brian and I both commented that we hardly recognize her like this. I am never cutting her hair again. Just kidding... sort of.

Thank you, Nick and Abby, for being the only ones to listen when I said, "Say cheese!" :) Come on, Ali!