Free-for-All Friday

We did it!

We survived another annual summer camping trip w/our grandkids, Brianna (age 14), Hadley (9), & Bentley (5). We collected them on MON 7/23 & returned them yesterday (7/26).
          Our accommodations @ Platte River State Park were very good. We had a 2-bedroom cabin. The kids shared the bedroom w/2 bunk beds. Bentley initially wanted to sleep in a top bunk but changed his mind quickly. Lois & I shared the bedroom w/a queen size bed. There was also a kitchen-dining area, living room, cable TV, closed-in porch, outdoor grill & fire pit. We used the grill to cook hamburgers one night & hot dogs the next. We made s'mores on TUE & WED nights, too.
          On TUE 7/24, Lois took the kids to the water park @ Mahoney State Park, which is just down the road from Platte River SP. This may have been the highlight for the kids. On WED 7/25, we took the kids to the Air & Space Museum, which they also enjoyed very much, although Bentley's opinion was that there weren't enough spaceships. (The museum is located next to Mahoney SP.) 
          On THU 7/26, Rachel joined us for a trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Lots of walking, a little(?) complaining by the youngest ones, but overall a good experience. The gorillas made a big impression when one of them chased after the other two. The kids got to ride the zoo train & Sky Safari (an overhead tram). Lois made homemade lunchables so we didn't have to buy the exorbitant food at the concession stands. We probably shouldn't have waited to do the mega-playground as our last stop. The kids would have enjoyed that more, but we wanted to leave before rush hour got overly rushed.
         We also spent time exploring Platte River State Park. Lois & the girls enjoyed a horseback ride. I took Brianna to the shooting range, where she displayed her amazing sharp-shooting skills. We did some hiking & made at least 3 trips to the top of the observation tower. 
         Bentley got a play vet's kit at the gift shop. So I got to play "patient" with him on the ride back to Norfolk w/Rachel. (Lois & the girls went back to Lincoln.) He delighted in giving me shots. ("Papa, this won't hurt." (ME) "Are you sure?" "Yes." [Bentley gives me a shot.] (ME) "Ouch!" [Bentley} Maniacal laughing.
          [Bentley] "Here, Papa, take your medicine." [ME] Pretending to take medicine. "Papa, it's stinky medicine." [ME] "Yuck. This medicine is horrible. You're the worst doctor I've ever had." [Bentley] Maniacal laughing.

Road Trips

Our summer vacation trips are now history, but we have more road trips coming in the near future.

• AUG 4-6:  Lois will be traveling to our niece Lynae's wedding in Fayetteville, NC.
• AUG 30-31:  I will be at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island, volunteering at the Lutheran Hour Ministries display table.
• SEP 6-9:  I will be attending the 45-year reunion of the St. Paul's College Class of 1973. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first-ever reunion for my class.
• SEP 14-15:  I will be representing Orphan Grain Train at the Lutheran Women's Missionary League Convention in Kearney.
• SEP [dates not yet confirmed]:  We will be attending the memorial service for our brother-in-law Paul Farmer @ Arlington National Cemetery.