Alexander is 4!

Nice healthy birthday breakfast

How can my baby boy be 4 already?  On Monday we started the day off with a chocolate cupcake with icing and a candle.  It was cool and rainy so I snuggled with my little guy while watching some TV.  We headed to Omaha for a day at the zoo.  On the way we stopped by to pick up a huge bin of Lincoln Logs for Alexander that Adam had purchased on ebay.  

Lincoln Logs

By the time we got to the zoo the rain had stopped.  It was still quite cool though.  The kids enjoyed the animals, especially the ones in the aquarium.  Just like Mama! 

We headed to Jason's Deli for a late lunch with plenty of soft serve ice cream for dessert.  After picking up a few last minute birthday items we headed home.  

Spider Man Umbrella

Alexander opened a few gifts and cards that he received in the mail.  He was excited about his new Spider Man umbrella, but couldn't wait to play with his new flip car.  This is his third remote control car.  We bought the 15 month warranty this time.  Let's hope it lasts.  He goes through batteries like crazy. 

Flip Car

We are looking forward to Alexander's Pumpkin Patch party on Friday with a few of his friends.  He will also have a baseball party in Frankfort and a UK party in Owensboro while we are there in October. 

                Happy birthday sweet boy!

Photo Book

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This is Our Town

Here is a little glimpse of life in Oakland, Nebraska.  

  Alexander certainly enjoyed the Great Nebraska Tractor Ride.  We watched over 200 tractors drive past our house.  Many of these were very old tractors and some were familiar like John Deere and Case IH, but others were certainly new to this tractor riding girl.  I have been driving a tractor since I was ten years old.  I loved helping Daddy mow our four acres with our big green John Deere.  

We love the pool here.  We can run or walk there.  It is not quite a mile from our house.  Audrey loves the zero entry and can walk around independently.  Alexander is quite independent and loves jumping into the water.  He has even gotten quite brave and jumped off the diving board and gone down the slide.  He likes to have someone catch him on both of these.  He was too young for swimming lessons this year, but next year I think he will catch on quickly.  The water felt great, since the pool is heated.  We particularly enjoyed the evening pool hours of 6-8pm, especially when it was over 100 degrees for nearly two straight weeks.  This Mommy especially loved nap time on Sunday afternoons.  This occasionally meant that Mommy got some much needed alone time at the pool.  Even Audrey had some great tan lines.  

We miss you Daddy Bob

 We also participated in the first ever Burt County Relay for Life.  We are standing behind our luminaries in memory of Daddy and in honor of Ronnie Goins. 

The first week of August we visited the 100th Burt County Fair.  We enjoyed snow cones, funnel cakes, and strawberry lemonade.  Alexander had a great time riding the cars, train, and carousel.  It reminded me a great deal of going to the Shelby County Fair with my grandmother Dort.  The picture above of Alexander in the blue car reminds me so much of a picture of me driving the cars at the Shelby County Fair.  

         

 We have enjoyed our first Summer in Nebraska.  

Some BIG News

Summer in the South

We made an unplanned visit to Kentucky at the end of July.  We flew to Saint Louis where Jessica's parents graciously picked us up and let us ride to Kentucky with them. 

We got to celebrate Addie's first birthday, my mom's birthday, and had an early celebration for Caroline's birthday.  I can't believe she is twelve. 

Posing in front of Claudia's

Kisses for KiKi

We enjoyed dinner with family at Claudia Sander' Dinner House.  I always indulge in stewed tomatoes, creamed spinach, mock oysters, baked apples, green beans, and salad.  I can't forget the amazing yeast rolls.  So yummy!

  


Audrey enjoyed playing with the tractors and barn.  She especially loved the doll house that my Dad built for Caroline, but she broke the doll bed when trying to sit in it. 

Audrey loves her Caroline.  She also loved Carter and Steve. 

On Friday evening Jessica drove us back to her parent's house.  We flew back to Omaha on Saturday afternoon.  We got to spend lots of sweet time with Jessica and Addie Mae.  Even though it was a quick trip it was great to be in Kentucky and visit lots of family and friends.  As usual it is almost impossible to see everyone.  We are looking forward to a longer visit in October. 

Craving Some Creole

While my mom was here Adam and I attempted to dine at a local cajun restaurant.  We had to drive up and down the street three times to find the hole in the wall restaurant just to find out that they are only open Thursday through Saturday.  We were there on a Monday.  Those of you who live in Nebraska know that West Point has more restaurants thank Oakland, but there still aren't many choices. Adam told me to pick where to go eat and I wouldn't pick anywhere, expcept saying, "No Pizza Ranch."  So we just went home: without eating.  I had a green smoothie and I am sure Adam ate cereal. 
Since we still haven't been to Shipwrecked we tried our own cajun meal.  It was delicious. As usual I made some adjustments to the recipe so this blog post is mostly to help me remember what I did to make this delicious shrimp creole. 

The recipe started here www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Creole-Spiced-Shrimp-395914?mbid=ipapp

Here are the change I made.

Creole-Spiced Shrimp


1 pound shrimp
1 small onion, sliced
1/2 lemon8 bay leaves
2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
chili powder
garlic powder
crushed red pepper flakes
ground red pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup crushed tomatoes
2 T unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
1/4 cup water

Toss shrimp and next 13 ingredients in a 9x13 pan.  Add butter on top and 1/4 cup water. Bake at 325 degrees or grill until shrimp are just opaque in center: 20-25 minutes.

Serve over rice with a little extra Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning. 
Yummy!

A Visit With Mimi & Caroline

Thursday, June 7th I went to pick up my mom and Caroline at the train station in Omaha.  They had been traveling for more than twenty-four hours.  They were excited to be in Nebraska to see everyone.  The kids were asleep when we got home, but they were thrilled to see them on Friday morning.  Caroline had fun at the pool with Alexander and Audrey. 

  


Audrey loved swinging and landing on the couch.  She squealed each time she hit the couch. 

 Caroline and I made handkerchief dresses for Audrey.  Caroline loves cupcakes so we chose some cupcake handkerchiefs.  We decided it was easier to make shirts than dresses.  Now they have matching cupcake shirts and dresses. 

 Audrey loves her brother.  She says, "Hi baby, and gives him hugs and kisses.  Mimi wanted the same hugs and kisses, but Audrey didn't share those hugs and kisses. 

My mom and I enjoyed doing several projects together.  We painted the mailbox post, light post, and the trim on the front porch.  We found several great accessories at local thrift shops and added some beautiful flowers outside.  My house definitely needed a lit Yvonne help. 

Mama and Caroline chose to return to Kentucky on the Amtrak train.  The train left Omaha at 5:15am so we decided to all spend the night in Omaha.  We enjoyed exploring the Old Market and eating dinner at the Twisted Fork.  We played at the pool and then sent Mimi and Caroline on their way.  It is always hard to say goodbye.  We all had some quality time together.  It saddens me that my kids don't have the opportunity to be close to their grandmothers.  We love you Mimi and Caroline.