Camp Omaha!!

~Warning....this may be the longest post EVER.~ Preface: I spent about a week or so in Omaha, NE with Katie and family every summer for several years when I was younger. I decided it had been entirely too long since I'd visited so Kenzie, mom, and I packed our VERY HEAVY bags and flew to Omaha to spend 9 wonderful, fun-filled days with the Heils! It was Kenzie's first plane ride. She liked the airport and the first 5 minutes of the flight....until the snacks ran out and she realized she couldn't run around...and it was 7pm, close to bed time! Therefore, she screamed and cried (as did I...cry, not scream) for an hour and a half of the hour and 40 minute flight. It was a nightmare, you have no idea. But once we got there, she was absolutely fine. My nerves were shot, but she was ready to play! (These pictures are somewhat grouped together, but may not be in order of when we did things. Sorry!) We were able to use our Memphis Zoo membership and get into the Omaha Zoo for a big discount! I think our favorite exhibits were the Rainforest and Desert Dome, with the Aquarium and Butterfly exhibit coming in a close second! I caught a butterfly on my finger!!

Mom and Aunt Karen

We had planned on dropping off Karen at the governor of Nebraska's wife's committee meeting, but she had the day wrong. Sally (the governor's wife) asked us to stay for lunch and took us on a private tour of the mansion! She was incredibly sweet and surprised me by having a high chair, animal crackers, and even a sippy cup and baby spoon on hand. Prepared for anything I guess!! She and Aunt Karen worked in a school together years ago and have remained friends.

Kenzie loved the fountain!

Had I known this chair dated back to the 1800's I wouldn't have let Kenzie sit here! That's the state capital in the background of that one picture.

When we weren't site-seeing, we relaxed at the house, played on their back porch, visited the park behind the house, or went shopping! Katie and I had a night to ourselves and saw

Made of Honor starring Patrick Dempsey.

We had a picnic in Central Park one day and walked around the area.

Silly puppy, that's MY tea...but I'll share...

We strolled through a Boys Town garden and visited Fontenelle Forest (sp?) (Kenzie spotted a deer, can you see it?).

We missed Brian alot on Father's Day, but Kenzie helped Uncle John with his presents. We caught Jenny talking politics to Kenzie, but Kenzie was more interested in her barn....

She's a big fan of bubbles! On our last night in Omaha we went to Shakespeare on the Green and watched a performance of Much Ado About Nothing. It rained for a while before the play started but we had a tarp to hide under and didn't get TOO wet. It was kinda fun! The play was wonderful and we all really enjoyed ourselves!!

We were all ready to get home to Tennessee, but had a blast and can't wait to go back!! Thanks for an awesome trip, Heil family (and some awesome pictures, Katie...most of these are yours!!)