There's a new park in town!

The new "sensory park" opened up this week, so we went and checked it out with some neighbors.  I am super excited about it as it has unique design elements, fun/bright/eye catching colors and interesting play apparatus' that really trigger imaginative/creative play.  Each attraction/feature lends itself well to individuals of all needs and abilities.

 McKenzie, Lauren & Dylan (the adorable twins next door) climbing on the bridge.

 Kenzie see-sawin' with her buddy Dylan  :-)

 Zach's big sister Makenna...she is SO cute!!  What an awesome big sis she is too  :)

 McKenzie & Lauren try to climb the big spider web thing...as you can see they did not make it too far...which between you & me...is just FINE with me  :-)

 Zach climbing high, with just a LITTLE help from his mommy.

 Zach and I had a lot of fun running around and climbing the monkey bars together.  I hope we get to go back to this park soon.  He is so fun to run around with  :-)

 We went kind of early in the morning, so it was a little too "brisk" for Little Miss Macy.  She had no problem hanging out in her cozy "lazy-boy".

 playing some music - Kenzie thought these were pretty cool...As did I!

 Lauren and her big sis Hannah.

 McKenzie playing in her "house"...what a goof!

 Makenna climbed all the way to the top.  yikes!

 It warmed up just enough for Macy to get a little swing action in  :-)

 That's her back there all bundled up in a big blanket.

 Zach and Kenzie are "hiding from the lava".  Quite the imaginations these little ones have.

yep, that's me.  Lynette took a pic of me surfing.  pretty talented. yes.  this I know.

Gymnastics pics

It was "picture night" at Gymnastics, so yes, I was one of the mom's who was taking pics of the kids getting pics taken.  I ordered a couple of the professional images, but wanted to snap a few candids...you know...for the blog   :-)

 Macy & Evie watching their big sisters in the "mini-stars" gymnastics class.

 Us mom's have fun playing with the "littles" while the "bigs" are acrobating around.

 Anna showing off her low bar skills.  I was a little annoyed that they waited until AFTER class to get the class pictures taken...so much for nice & neat piggies.  Oh well...life goes on...   :-)

 McKenzie & Lyla waiting oh so patiently for their turn

 Lyla getting ready for her shot - I was snapping these photos through the glass.  The photographer simply requested no flash...so I turned it off   :-)

 Oh Anna, what a HAM!!  Can't wait to see how adorable her photo turned out  :-)

 McKenzie's teacher doing some last minute primping.

 aww, what a good girl!  Can't believe she's actually smiling  :-)

 ah hahaha!  ok, THIS is hilarious...Aunt Keri is holding Macy up to the glass window...her face && forehead are SMOOOSHED.  soo funny.

 mmm.  yummy

Thursday Night Ministars class of 2010  :-)  Of course Kenzie is the only girl not smiling...what a face...oh well, at least she wasn't crying.  I'll take this over that any day!!!  Three is a tough age these days.  That's all I gotta say about that   :)  &  :(

Bath Time!

I have a problem...I need some kind of intervention...why is it that whenever I need to be productive...laundry needs folded, dishwasher needs emptied, teeth need brushed (yes, it's 2:00pm), basement needs tidied, McKenzie's nails need trimmed, Penny's 40th B-Day Video needs edited and much more...I find myself distracted.  I think I may have a slight case of A.D.D.  I was giving Macy a bath.  And what was supposed to be a 3 minute quick.in.and.out bath, turned into a 13 minute photo-shoot.    

I couldn't help it, she was having SOOO much fun.  Now if only these photos had audio, you would hear the most precious, high-pitched giggling and laughing your ears would ever have the pleasure of hearing  (to some her high-frequency squealing may have sounded more like "nails on a chalk board") but to me it was MUSIC TO MY EARS!!!  Especially love when she gets to laughing so hard that she hiccups...hilarious!

My intention was to just post 1 or 2 pics...but alas...I posted them all.  Alfterall, which two pics would you have chosen from the bunch??  

My thoughts exactly  :-)

Ponca (part 4)

Stunning Sunrise photos on day 2...pics taken by my mom & dad.

simply breath-taking.

"hurray, it's a new day!"

 a shot of our cabin from across the lake

 RUNNING!

 taking a walk...what nice weather we had...we were SOO lucky!

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Last morning at Ponca

 Joe took off by himself to get a few sunrise shots.

 The Missouri River...this is the point where three states interconnect.

 Dad and Macy watching the sunrise from inside the cabin.  (ha, she's signing mom...kind of...but not really)   :-)

 Lisa reading the morning paper.

 Grandpa and his girl  :-)  this might be my favorite pic from the whole trip!

 This is how Keri packs from the weekend...very gently inserts Colton's very DIRTY shoes into the trash can. one too many dirt hills...  bu-bye.

 McKenzie says "hey, don't forget my pumpkin!"

I mentioned earlier that the secret of "Ponca's Hallowfest" must have gotten out...well here's more proof...These are the photos on the front page of Sunday's Omaha World Herald (Midland section).  Yay for Ponca!   :-)

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Fun times, fun times.  Can't wait until next year!

Now I just need to go unpack our bags...do some laundry...just so that I can repack our bags for next weekend.  Joe and I are headed to...Vegas baby!  oh yeah...NO KIDS!  I am SOOO looking forward to adult time, just a few days of only needing to worry about and take care of ourselves...nice.  :-)