Memories in the Making: Family reunion time!

Jack and NonaJane with Myrl Hight (Adam's grandfather, Sue's father)

Adam's grandmother (Sue's mother) Sylvia Hight

Self portrait of NonaJane and I at the reunion

We headed to Schleswig Iowa last weekend for the annual Hight family reunion. We planned to camp with our pop up at the Schleswig park (where the reunion is held on Sunday). We were so excited because the pop-up would be conveniently located next to the pool and the city park. Jack would be free to play all weekend, and NonaJane would still be able to take her naps! (can you call Schleswig a city... I think not. Maybe the 'community' park and pool? I dunno.. I'm not from a small town :) Either way it is a lovely little dwelling!) Anyhoo. We crammed the pop-up and the truck full of golf clubs, scooters, a soccer ball, t-ball, strollers, and every other outdoor play equipment you can imagine. We woke up to a beautiful morning and headed North.

By the time we were nearing Omaha, dark ominous clouds were filling the sky.
Me- "Is it gonna rain?"
Adam- "Not according to the weather report"
Jack - "Those clouds look stormy."

Guess who was right? JACK. It rained... and rained... and poured... and rained some more. ALL weekend LONG. So we didn't get to go golfing (at the same golf course that Adam drove his mom's car onto when he was 3), we didn't get to grill our hamburgers and make s'mores. We didn't get to play in the pool, or at the park.
BUT We DID get to visit with family, we did get to eat a LOT of Pizza Hut pizza, and we did get to sleep together to the peaceful sounds of rain pitter pattering on our camper. The silver lining??? On Monday it was BEAUTIFUL and we spent the day at the Omaha Zoo with Adam's cousin Luke, his wife Amy, and their two awesome
crazy kids- Landon and Lauren.

They really let you get CLOSE to the animals at the Omaha Zoo!

So does it sound weird that I called these two "awesome crazy" kids? Probably, but it's a compliment for sure. Landon and Lauren are strong willed, free-spirits, with a real need for FUN. For example, Landon and Lauren enjoyed running thru the muddy puddles in their driveway. Did their mom mind that they had shoes, socks and jeans on? NOPE. Landon even took to digging in the muddy grass piles, and was having a hay-day. What did Jack do? He informed Lauren "that water is yucky" to which she looked at him like his head was on backwards. Is Jack unable to let loose and be wild and free because of me? Did I hold him back from muddy water? I'm not so sure. He had crocs on, and his jeans rolled up as to avoid wet denim. I informed him that he could step in the puddles if he wanted to. He tested the waters with the poke of his finger... a slight toe in at the edge. Then conceded to the fact that he preferred to just throw some pebbles in and watch the water ripple. And that was okay with me :) It will be interesting to see how NonaJane will blend in with the Lechtenberg kids next year. She held her own with Lauren this year. When Lauren told her to "go away" NonaJane promptly swatted at her and gave her the stink eye. She and Lauren seemed to be buddies the rest of the weekend. NonaJane was more than thrilled with the indoor trampoline they had! She would hold on and get to bouncing/jumping so much that she was actually clearing both feet off the trampoline! She was also thrilled with their selection of books to chew on, and toys to explore. I really enjoyed seeing Jack and NonaJane as they played with Landon and Lauren. He learned all about the Hulk and Iron Man. I'm not sure he really knows who they are... so perhaps we need to do some movie rentals? All I know is, we look forward to hanging out with this family again!!!

Amy, Jack, Lauren, Landon, Me, and NonaJane playing with the prairie dogs

Their aquarium is amazing!

The "Dinosaur Alive" exhibit was there. The dinosaurs moved and roared. Pretty neat!
Amy and Lauren, Me, Jack and NonaJane... and Landon the monkey :)

P.S. the best part? When we were leaving, Landon (the rough and tumble kid) gave Jack a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Jack revolted back, wiped his cheek and yelled "Boys don't kiss boys!!!" oh geez...