Best of Nebraska Vol. 2

Tough to get a snap with cousin O smiling!

The race to granny is on!

Best of Nebraska Vol. 1

Here are some of the long-awaited best snaps from our Nebraska trip!

The cousins are both shooting the baby very similar looks!   Why the crying little buddy?

Jack from School

Here's a little snap of Jack with a friend from his new school....

Here's a Great Little Story

THE MAYONNAISE JAR

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and two cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and fills it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “YES”.

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - God, family,
children, health, friends, and favorite passions. Things, that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.” he said.

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are
important to you...” he told them.

“So... pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Worship with your family. Play with your children. Take your partner out to dinner. Spend time with good friends. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap. Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled and said, “I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

Who's In? Georgia Tech, Nebraska and Arkansas all Featured!

In the pretty cool ESPN commercial advertising the new play-off GT, Nebraska and Arkansas were all featured.   Arkansas and Georgia Tech seem to be much cooler than the bouncing on his had 'lil red Farmer but something is better than nothing I guess!

A Bird Takes a Ride

We were fascinated by this dove the kept riding the gate by sitting on it.  Normally, these guys are scaredy birds but this guy wouldn't fly away.  We actually went through a 2nd time so we could capture it on video!

A "Capitol" View

In our last hours of our time in Nebraska we went up to the top of the capitol building. Commonly referred to as the "penus on the prairie", the Nebraska State Capitol is by far the tallest building in Lincoln and offers commanding views of the city.

Jack's Homework Station

Jack's homework for his first full week of school was to create his own "homework place"

Mission Accomplished.   With the exception of a little desk lamp which he still needs!

Ice Bucket Challenge!

Elle wanted no part in the challenge.  The rest of us, however, were game.

Birthday Report and a Pizza Star

Jack finally scored a birthday present courtesy of Aunt Jasper, Mimi and Grandpa and Granny...and some of his own savings and a lot of patience!

It will go nicely with another walker he received from his Aunt Anne!













In other news, I made the moon and star pizza last night to celebrate the end of the first week of school for them!

Yogurt or Pasta...another Lost Video Emerges

Elle makes it very clear...over and over which she prefers!    Here taste is good... that pre-packaged pre-made pasta for babies is not very good.

Waning Days of Summer Hodgepodge

 We stumbled across this pooch a few days ago and he reminded of one of the best dogs ever so we had to pet him.

Waffles with Vermont's finest syrup.   Grade B!

 

Zoomed Supermoon shot from the grainy digital zoom of the iPhone!

Washing the South side of Northern Facing Cattle!

Not a job I'd be that excited about...Scenes from the State Fair!

Motorcycle Smash And Crash - A Short Movie!

Jack and Bill produced a short movie during our visit.  Motorcycle Smash & Crash.   There was an admission price to get in (as you would expect with Jack involved!)  The premier sold out and here it is presented for free!

Enjoying the State Fair (on the back of a bear)

Dumbo and a Stagecoach??

We're taking full advantage of our sabbatical with lots of little trips to match our bigger ones. Here's a snap from the state fair and another from wine tasting at Cooper Vineyards.

Happy Kids! Coronado Beach

One of the best vacations ever... probably from all of our perspectives!

OzCon International

Can you believe that OzCon is upon us again!
 

Sand Fire Update

With the Sand Fire no longer spreading here's a perspective of the area that was burned relative to Folsom.     Pretty close!   But also much different terrain as it is much more mountainous.  51 structures including 13 homes were ultimately burned by the fire and at its peak there were nearly 2,000 firefighters working it.  

Climbing Ropes!

Jack got to experience a little climbing at the State Fair too!

The "Sand" Fire

A fire broke out late Friday afternoon in Amador county in almost the exact location we were visiting (wine tasting with friends) earlier that day.   It quickly grew into a huge plume as photographed with my new Christmas/Birthday lens!   A wide-angle.!

The plume and everything to the left is smoke!

Gladiolus Match Purple Piano

Steph stumbled upon some gladiolus at Trader Joe's and snapped them up. They are huge and they also go nicely with our piano!

I remember that once upon a time there was a gladiolus farm "across the bypass" in Jonesboro and that once a bunch of zebras escaped and they found them in the gladiolus field snacking!

A License Right Up Dad's Alley!

Yeap!  Somebody actually had this plate made.   Dad - my guess is it is still available in Arkansas if you are so inclined.   I prefer the only "custom" plate I've ever had made.... "JACKETS"

Word Crimes by Weird Al!

Video developed by a guy from Sacramento!

Grammy Museum Tour

On the most recent trip to LA I had a chance to tour the Grammy Museum. I'd never heard of the museum and it seemed to be pretty new. The price was a reasonable $10 and while it doesn't come close to covering the spectrum of music that the Grammy Awards have covered it was pretty neat. Strangely enough, the band that got the most exposure - through a ~20' long exhibit was Cheap Trick. Not even sure if they've won a Grammy but the exhibit was interesting.

 





Little to no mention of groups like U2, The Eagles and the list goes on. But still an interesting way to spend an hour or two.

Scooby-Doo Cereal on Clearance

No surprise this stuff is on clearance.  Between the color and the prominent location of Scooby ready to eat it looks way too much like a box of dog biscuits.

Case in point.  As Jack is watching my type out this blog post I asked him if it looks like cereal or dog food.  He responded immediately with dog food.

Excited Girl in Her Big Girl Bed

After months of trying we finally got Elle's big girl bed built. The months long saga could be a blog post in and of itself. The end result was worth it as Elle was on cloud 9 with her own "big girl" bed clad in lots of pink! Let's hope she's as good in it as Jack was during his transition!

Happy Fourth of July!

Dance Party

Nothing beats dancing on the patio!   Jack demonstrates a few of his hip-hop moves...

Michigan / Montreal Hodgepodge

As our first "sabbatical trip wraps up here are some early pictures. There are lots so will post a few more of the best ones later!

Old Town Montreal

Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal

Wave! You're on a Waverunner!

We got to help Grandpa launch his waverunner into the lake for the first time.   For a minute Jack thought he was going to get to ride it by himself!  Maybe in 10 years...!

Later, Jack and I went out into Lake Michigan and into Muskegon Lake and took a "selfie" in front of the Milwaukee Clipper! Once a ferry now reduced to a tourist attraction.


 

Lost Travel Video Emerges

With a lot of travel upon up for this Summer we found a lost video from a year or so ago where Jack deemed himself Elle's herder.

Hey Jack! I've Got a Secret

Elle likes telling people secrets.  Never mind that she doesn't actually have any secrets and just kind of babbles in your ear!

Funky "messed up" Pic

Shutter was open too long...but kind of made a cool effect.   Look closely and you can make out Elle's Mouse Ears!

Stephie's Pink Hair!

Steph rocked some pink hair extensions for our recent trip to LA. 

You've Got To Really Love Cows....

We were behind this self-proclaimed cow lover the other day and had to  document it!

Jack and Elle: The Ballad of The Hot Dog

The kids  enjoy the Oscar Meyer wiener song.   In fact they sometimes ask to see one of the original videos! 

Happy Father's Day!

Here is a funny Father's Day Video...