Smith Family Weblog

We traveled to Nebraska again this weekend, this time for my nephew Leo’s second birthday party. It was a whirlwind trip, but we wouldn’t have missed helping this sweet boy celebrate.

Really, I do. I have no good excuse, but the Fourth of July parade in the small Nebraska town near my Mom’s didn’t disappoint. In fact, both Katie and I found ourselves a bit choked up as the color guard started down the street and the crowd sang the national anthem. It’s probably a good thing my soft-hearted husband stayed back at the lake to fish.

I thought this little girl riding in the firetruck with her dad was especially sweet.

The Red Hat Society, which I believe is derived from the poem that starts, “When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple.” It seems to me that the open bed of a moving truck isn’t the safest place to stash a group of elderly ladies, but they seem to be enjoying themselves.

If Mom didn’t look so darn cute in this photo, I’d make a “speaking of elderly ladies” joke here. Since she was nice enough to put up with us for four days (and we’d like to come back), I think I’d better not.

One of the many signs on this very old implement read, “Happy birthday, America.”

This trailer holds what has to be a majority of the cousins attending this family’s reunion.

This float was sponsored by a brand new organic farm in the area. We attended their open house the following day–photos to come.

A poignant reminder of the importance of the holiday:

On Thursday of last week, we drove back to Milwaukee to board another flight–this time to Washington, D.C. for Bryan’s cousin’s wedding. Thursday was our ninth anniversary. How better to celebrate than with a flight halfway across the country with a toddler and an infant? I ordered us champagne on the flight, a gesture to which my dear husband responded by lamenting, “I was really looking forward to juice.”

We joined in the wedding festivities Friday and Saturday morning, then headed into the city with Jess Saturday afternoon. Ava wanted to visit the National Aquarium, or “fish zoo,” as she called it, but the wait was more than two hours. Thankfully, she was distracted by this large ship and a cupcake.

We headed home Sunday, and look who just happened to waiting for us in the airport in Kansas City.

I’m not sure who was happier.

Doug and Karyl recently had a “little” playhouse built for their grandkids. It’s roughly the size of our first home, but with nicer furniture.

Here’s an early photo, taken while it was still under construction:

Last weekend, it was complete and set up beautifully.

We didn’t see the children for the rest of the weekend.

Happy Father’s Day to the wonderful dads in our lives. We love you!

We visited my mom’s house over Memorial Day weekend. It was only a three day trip, but we were all sufficiently spoiled!

Olivia had her first dip in the wading pool:

Thanks for a fun weekend!