Oregon Coast

We spent 3 wonderful weeks on the Oregon Coast.  We played on the dunes, collected sea shells (and every shell fragment that caught our eyes), squealed while running from waves, hiked, visited the lighthouse, swam, paddle-boated, picnicked, visited with family, rode a dune buggy, were spoiled by grandparents, splashed Aunt Marie on Bumper Boats, and stayed up way too late during sleepovers with Brynn.

We missed dad and grandpa while they toured Oregon on motorcycles, but dad missed us too so they came home early!  It was definitely a summer to remember!

This wave snuck up on Milan haha.

Seattle

Dave had a month break so we decided to get the heck out out of the midwest.  We packed up the kiddos and headed west for an epic road trip.  We did lots of driving with stops in Cheyenne, Ontario, then finally reached our first destination, Seattle!  

We got to stay with my friend Jen Wiley and her family.  Jen and I met the summer after high school when we were both State Park Rangers.  We remained friends through college, careers, and now families.  With busy lives, we don't get to talk often enough, but she was the first person I told I was pregnant with Milan and one of the first people I told about our Down Syndrome diagnosis (she offered the perfect response that all children have challenges.).  She is now uber-accomplished and it was so great to catch up during our visit! 

We arrived at Jen's house late and the girls had too much energy to sleep so we let them get crazy on the backyard playground.

We also got to visit with Dave's Aunt Yuri and Grandma Betty.  Yuri and her husband Albert are seriously the nicest people!  They hosted lunch right after returning from an out of town trip, thoughtfully gave the girls goodie bags full of candy, and took time to share family stories and old pictures with us.  What a wonderful visit!

4th of July

Our friend, Erica, from dental school invited us out to her parent's house in the country and we enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July with friends.  Dave had a blast shooting with his friends; the girls were in heaven with horseback riding, 4 wheeling, playing tag, eating way too many sugary treats, and catching fireflies.  On the way home, we got to watch firework shows all over Nebraska (this place is crazy about about fireworks!)  

Showing off my baby bump, 16 weeks pregnant with our newest little girl :)

Baseball

Milan tried baseball this year.  Many practices were rained out and we were out of town for several games, BUT she has learned a lot and had fun.  It's a work in progress to be continued next year.....

The Pool

This is Dowding Pool and we pretty much live here!  The girls have swim lessons most mornings then we stay and play with friends.  We enjoy floaties, water guns, Barbies, and of course lots of snacks.  It is the perfect place to beat the Nebraska heat and humidity (when it isn't raining, that is.)

Kaneko

We checked out this awesome downtown warehouse hosting a "Play" exhibit for the summer and enjoyed all the creative play.  It was the perfect rainy day adventure.  

Lemonade Stand

My girls have been begging to set up a lemonade stand and Lucy's house was the perfect location on Main street.  We worked hard making cookies and artsy signs then we were in business.  At first, I was worried we wouldn't have any customers, but we had pretty steady business and after 1 1/2 hours, everyone made $5.  I am so grateful for all the people that stopped and visited these cute ladies!