Nanny Noni in Chicago 8-10

So....Tim was offered and accepted a job in Chicago, WOOOHOOO! Now this means they want him to begin NOW, but he has "things" he has to do first in order to make a move across the country with his family. This is where Noni [me] comes in : } They asked me to meet them in Chicago to stay with Emma Mae while they house hunt and check out schools for Emma. I arrived on Sunday evening and helped out until Wednesday morning and had an AWESOME time.
T&T plan to use the L-train for the majority of their travels in town. Taking the L gets Tim to work downtown in 10", plus a 10" walk to the train versus ~45" drive on the congested highway. We drove past the place Tim will be working at. The next 2 pics are views from the car. Quite metropolitan!!! He has to wear a suit and tie every single day : }

These are a few pics of the downtown streets of Lincoln Park. This is the area they will be living in. It is so quaint and has a very vintage feel. Reminds me of my childhood in St. Louis skipping down the sidewalks, riding my bike and playing hop-scotch. I saw many young moms pushing strollers just walking about and several getting on and off the L with their kids and strollers. Absolutely loved this area!

We had lunch to celebrate everything that was planned for and accomplished during this trip. They found their home and Emma's school. Here we are at Pot Belly's known for their sandwiches and they were really good.

While T&T were visiting schools, Emma and I walked the streets and talked with the locals. We came across this wonderful girly-girl shop, Stinky Pants. We had a blast in here. Emma was as excited as I was to check everything out. She did make out pretty well with a new raincoat and matching boots. The temp this day had to be in the 90's and it was humid. She "had" to wear her new coat and boots in case it rained! : }

Just a few shots of what the downtown area looks like. Their home is on one of the side streets walking distance to the downtown and L-train.

You can see the L-train tracks going over the street here.

Look at the old rennovated buildings. Love it!

OK, so on Monday, T&T left at 7:30am and returned around 4ish. Emma Mae and I literally played ALL day. This is the game "Hungry Hippo's" with play dough. We made pink fish for the hippo to eat and a black bird to sit on his back. Then Emma decided she didn't want the hippo to eat the fish, so we had to make little blue eggs and place the fishes in a pond of their own : }

T&T took us out to play miniature golf after dinner one evening. Emma wanted no instructions what so ever, she knew how to play this game. It was so funny! She did it and felt accomplished in the end!

Here's T&T totally veggin out from their first day of house hunting. They have so much on their platters right now and persevere on. There IS a light at the end of this huge tunnel.

We were all just sitting around talking about the days events, and Emma had ALL this energy. So she decided she was going to put on a show for us. As we're all sitting on the couch, she comes in with her new panties I brought her on her head and her new PJ bottoms wrapped around her shoulders. She starts singing [with her eyes closed] and dancing around on the mattress [her bed on the floor]. It was quite delightful and gave us a much needed laugh after a hard day.

Emma and I played Go Fish cards which she loved and caught on to rather quickly. Below she is making those eggs for the hippo to eat, while pushing the fish away for safety. The fish are those little orange things with black eyes : }

We took a break from the hotel room and walked around outside for awhile. We looked at all the flowers, the pool and checked out every hallway. She took this pic of me which I think is very good and centered.

Here she is just talking away and walking around : }

We sat for a few minutes on a patio outside and she starts to look into my purse. I asked her what she was looking for and she says, "Something exciting Noni, show me something interesting" LOL to say the least. We dug around until we found my "saw" [nail file]. That kept her busy doing her nails then mine. Between the shopping, eating, Starbuck visits, playing, reading, looking at flowers, taking many pictures, doing our nails, checking e-mails, watching movies of Veggie Tales.....Emma Mae is quite her Noni's grand daughter. We are two peas in a pod and I LOVED every single minute spent together.

Here she is sending her Papa an email : }

Our visit to KC 8-10

Rod had a conference in Kansas City, so we came to the Plaza as tourists this time. Normally when we go to KC, it's to see the boys and we stay with them. This time the U. of KC put us up in a hotel on the Plaza....COOL!! We went out to dinner with the Med-El team [sponsors of the conference] on Thursday evening at EV [Extra Virgin] and had foods like: Trout Cheeks, Duck Tongue taco's, fried Pig Ears and Bone Marrow. Extremely Different but we tried it all except the Bone Marrow : } They wanted to take us out again on Friday evening but we had plans to visit RA and see Phil cook. They wanted to go too, so......we took 12 work friends with us to RA : } Great fun!
Phil is the 3rd chef at RA and was able to come out of the kitchen often to visit with us. Above and below are desserts "he" made for everyone. It was sooooo good and so beautiful to look at.

Susan made it into KC after work just in time to enjoy dinner with us!

Great pic of Rob and Rod!

Upon arrival at RA, Phil came out to see us in the bar area. I took several pics of RA so you all can see where Phil works. It is really cool and quite the "young professional" place. Lots of music! I think dad and I were maybe two of the oldest people there : } It didn't matter!! I was on a mission to see our son work. We even got to go into the kitchen and watch him at the stove. I didn't take pictures of that since I'm "sure" Phil would have been utterly embarassed : } I am soooo very proud of him, I could burst : }

Walking around the Plaza on Saturday morning after being treated to breakfast at The Cafe', a very quaint France-like place.

2100 mile road trip with M&D Short

So.....Rod and I decided that I needed to drive my mom & dad to CO because dad and I both needed to acclimate from the low landers that we are to the close to 10,000 ft high mountains in Creede. So this began our 21oo mile road trip from Omaha to CO Springs, to Creede, to Lake City, to Loveland and Fort Collins, then on home to Omaha...WHEW!!! Oh this was soooo awesome!! At 6a.m. Papa and I were taking Rod to Alamosa for his mountain flying lessons [1.5 hrs. away] and we came upon this. Cowboys and dogs wrangling sheep up the mountain. Hundreds of sheep!! Just like in a movie : }

The following are pics while we visited Lake City which is about 25 miles north of Creede [I think]. I loved this little church at the base of this hog back.

Noni shopping around in a local nursery. The flowers were gorgeous. Look at the hanging baskets.

Papa and Noni taking a short break in front of the quaint little coffee shop we stopped at and had latte's [yes, even in the mountains] : }

Shopping in ALL the little stores tired papa out so he found this shady bench and sat sipping his coffee. Noni later joined him. He'd talk to passer-byer's and really liked talking to this Harley couple who tried to convinence him he wasn't too old to get back on a Harley, LOL : }
Noni and Papa walking along the broadwalk, looking at the shops. I had this particular one in mind, where I always find locally made cinnamon honey - too die for! : }
So the next few pics are views as we traveled up to Lake City.

This is The Falls. From the road you'd never know it was there. In person, it's gorgeous and I think is fed from the Rio Grande River.

This is the Grand Pyramid. It is nothing less than FABULOUS!! Everyone stops to just look. It's beyond words and is totally God's handy work. When Rod and Uncle Lowell use to go out horseback riding, this is one of the area's they explored.

OK, back at the cabin....here is Papa crossing the damn at the pond that Rob, Adam, Tim and Rod all rebuilt a few summers back. A beaver had gotten into the pond and caused quite a lot of damage. He [the beaver] now sits proudly on the hearthstone by our fireplace in the cabin. Pop's keeps the pond stocked and Robby loves fishing down here. Very peaceful and tanquil.

Noni resting on the bench Pops made years ago by the pond. Just listening to the wind, the fish jumping and critters scampering around.

Noni, Papa and Rod standing on the front porch of the little 100 year old cabin Pops refurbished literally log by log [actually it probably about 110 now]. We can actually stay in it now "if" anyone wanted to. It only needs linens on the bed. No heat and not bathroom....Fun??!!! Any bidders? : }

Rod, papa and Noni just talking quietly by the pond as they watch the fish jumping out of the water.

Here's papa walking in the fields. I wanted to show him the little brook that runs along the boundary of our property by the Fish Hatchery. The big cabin is just over that knoll. He looks good, doesn't he? I think dad loved every minute he was up there : }

Noni and Papa standing outside our tiny Fish Hatchery. We were trying to find the keys to show them the inside. We did finally get in.

And here they are just vegging out. I'd find them like this each with a book in hand. Makes you want to just take a deep breath doesn't it!

This was Pattie and Bruce's home where we stayed our first night out on the road. Pikes Peak is right behind them. Just beautiful! I love CO sooooooo much : }

Noni & Papa Short visit Omaha 7/10

Ohhh, hahaha, here is Noni searching for golf balls. Couldn't resist taking this picture one early morning. I think she may have found one.

Phil and Noni. Grew up was too fast.

Phil surprised us all and showed up to see Noni and Papa. Susan also came over for dinner to meet them. This was the official opening of "The Patio". My favorite place to sit surrounded by my flowers and trees with privacy from the street...love it!

This is Noni and Papa S. just arriving. Rob was helping unload the trunk. And of course, the golf clubs came! : } They actually went out once or twice while here.

Visit to Ocala, FL 7-10

This is the way to spend a Saturday morning....at the pool right down the street. It's awesome and includes a club house [red building] and a kiddy area.

Will headed out for a bike ride first thing in the morning before it gets "too" hot. Trying out his new birthday helmet.

This is at Cody's Steak House where Adam wanted to go for his and Will's bd dinner. It's the kind of place where you throw the peanut shells on the floor. We had a great time!

Will and Adam opening up bd presents.

Will also got a new pet from Noni & Papa. Nemo, the betta [and Noey got one too who he calls Delta]. Here mom is helping them put the tank together with the pink rocks that Will chose.

Noey helping mom decorate Will's bd cupcakes.

And Will helping too, counting as he goes along ; }

While at Petco choosing a fish, we heard all this squawking! It was time to clean the bird cages and we got to hold Parrots. Noey loved it. Will was just a little timid with them.

Choosing their betta's. What a variety to chose from and colors!!!!

William trying on helmets to be sure it fits properly. He chose this one with the racing car on it.

Dr. Lusk is showing Dr. Lusk his mobile office. Way cool!!!! And very organized. It's a Yukon XL and Adam keeps it spotless.

Lynn posing for me in her kitchen. She is really growing. 9/14 is the due date and she is counting down.

And here is the usual visit "tackle papa" while he is not expecting it. The boys "and" Adam really get into this. : }

Noni and her g-sons. Precious, adorable and ever so loving! They are getting so big and smart. Time goes way too fast!