Felicia and Ruby come to visit

In fewer than ten hours after we arrived home from our Boundary Waters trip, we had Felicia and Ruby (2 1/2 yrs. old) comfortably bedded down in our guest room.  I was excited and delighted about their two-week stay with us.

Saturday, May 18, the wedding of Steph Stull (my niece) and Andy Sands was held at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln, followed by a reception at The Lincoln Train Station.

It was a gorgeous event for a beautiful couple.

Ruby and I wore our twirling dresses.

The boys looked handsome in their coordinated outfits.

Ruby knows that when one goes to a party, one gets to eat cake!

Cousins, Pierce and Ruby, dancing at the wedding reception.

I don't think Ruby knew that there would be dancing at the party.  She danced the night away.  When it was time to leave, she asked if we could come back to the party tomorrow.

Sadly, my sister's mother-in-law passed away this month.  A memorial was being planned, so luckily for us, I had more family come to visit.

front:  Chad, Reece, Olivia.   back: Tom, Dar, Di, Rusty

Ruby and I found lots of things to entertain ourselves.  I thoroughly enjoyed her constant "Why?" even though I didn't always have an answer.

We went to local parks and jumped on the neighbor's trampoline.

We played matching games.

We went to the library and checked out books.

We went to Friday morning breakfast with Becky and Sissy and GiGi.

We trimmed the mums.

Ruby had her own digger.

We worked in GiGi's St. Francis Garden.

Felicia wanted to take Ruby camping, so Papaw Rusty made it happen.  It was a little chilly, but Ruby didn't seem to mind.

Picnics are fun!

Papaw built a fire and roasted hot dogs.  Ruby ate 3 hotdogs!

Papaw found a robin's egg for Ruby.

Ruby and GiGi pitch the tent.

What could be more fun than sleeping in a tent with lots of zippers!

Ruby didn't think much of the midwest lifestyle that involves many hours in a car seat.

But she REALLY liked the grocery carts with cars!

Olivia and Pierce and Reece rejoined us for Memorial Day weekend.

Rusty got to meet Tracy Covey when the Wagners joined us for breakfast.

Olivia reconnects with Ryan and Tracy.

The grandchildren put flags on Grandpa Frank's grave.

We drove past the old house on Everett Street and found our neighbors, Fred and Judi, at home.

Merriman's was always a good place to play.

Hanging out at Merriman's

There were more books to be read.

Papaw's snake book was a real hit!

A snuggle with Mommy.

Papaw demonstrated some of the tools for Pierce and Reece in the workshop.

He made a snake-catcher for them!

Trying to stay out of the mud.

Reece, Pierce and Ruby find a thistle.

They picked a pretty bouquet for GiGi.

a high five for Papaw

Celeste and Lindsay joined us for a game of catch, followed by dinner.

a real hillbilly

Celeste gets a hug from Mommy.

Ruby enjoys controlling the fountain at the Children's Museum.

Ruby paints her face at the Children's Museum.

Thank you, Felicia for sharing your time and your lovely daughter with us.  It was a very special time for us!

On the final weekend we went to Omaha to be with Olivia and the boys.

We walked to the Omaha Riverfront and enjoyed a little of the Taste of Omaha.

We decided to have lunch at Spaghetti Works, a definite family favorite.  I couldn't help but giggle while watching Ruby enjoy her noodles.