Our first stop was Lincoln, Nebraska, where Matt's brother, Jon, and wife, Chelsea, live. We were excited to see their new home (they moved in last summer) but mostly just to spend time with them! They are a fun, thoughtful couple who make a great team, especially when hosting guests together. They gave us a super warm welcome on Saturday evening when we arrived. Uncle Jon had hidden toys for Ian and Ryan throughout their basement. Ian was so excited to look for the gift bows and see what special treasure was attached! Even though they had just returned home from a trip of their own, Chelsea cooked us a big, yummy meal!
We enjoyed many fun memories with them during the few days we were there ...
Aunt Chelsea read Ian lots of before-bed stories!
We four adults enjoyed many games together once the boys were asleep each night. We played Euchre, Stone Age, and Anomia (a surprisingly difficult but fun card-word game that Jon & Chelsea introduced us to). Lots of Twizzlers and lots of laughs .... :)
On Sunday morning, Uncle Jon spent some time playing with the boys. Ian and Ryan both loved Jon and Chelsea's dog, Ace, and all of Ace's balls, too. Ian threw many balls for Ace to catch!
Then, we were excited to attend church with Jon and Chelsea. The service was meaningful and uplifting. Afterwards, we met some of Jon and Chelsea's church friends, and Jon gave us a tour of the facility. Jon and Chelsea are certainly loved by many people there!
Jon and Chelsea gave our boys lots of love and hugs while we were in Lincoln.
Chelsea whipped up another feast (this time, yummy pork ribs that we HAD to get the recipe for!) for lunch. Ian thought the corn on the cob was especially good!
Jon and Ian took Ace for a walk, and they even spent a little time at their neighborhood playground together.
We spent most of Sunday afternoon just relaxing and playing together -- with the blinds :),
with balls,
looking at pictures (this proud uncle has a photo book of each of his nephews! So precious!!),
and enjoying more time with Ace. Ace was SO patient with the boys, even when Ryan occasionally grabbed his face. By the second day of being there, Ryan could say "ACE!" (For the rest of our trip and even still sometimes, any dog Ryan sees is called "Ace" as well! Ha)
with fun "new" toys Uncle Jon and Aunt Chelsea had borrowed from friends,
and outside!! The weather was AMAZING -- probably 80 degrees with no humidity! We Texas folks were in heaven! Ryan enjoyed pushing the dump truck while Ian, Kim, and Chelsea drew roads for the vehicles from sidewalk chalk.
Since Ian took a nap, he was able to get a special treat ... staying up LATE to see Uncle Jon play softball! Ian and Matt enjoyed watching Jon show off his skills and seeing Jon's team win! :)
On Monday morning, Chelsea, Ian, and Ace went for a walk and stopped at the park again!
While Uncle Jon did some work and Ryan napped, the other four of us played Sequence for Kids.
One of the highlights of our time with Jon and Chelsea was going to the Lincoln Racquet Club, where Jon gives some tennis lessons. Uncle Jon spent some time reminding Ian about some tennis fundamentals. He was a patient teacher for Ian and helped Ian to feel successful!
Aunt Chelsea helped out, too.
Uncle Jon played a silly game where they had to lay down on the ground and still try to return the ball.
While everyone else played tennis, Momma watched Ryan have the time of his life -- carrying around tennis racquets, hitting tennis balls laying on the ground, throwing balls, and pushing around a push toy all over the court!
When tennis time was done, Ian was thrilled to be able to help with the ball-picking-up device.
Aunt Chelsea and Kim took the boys into the pool so the brothers could play some tennis together. (Talk about a cold outdoor pool ... the night before had dipped down to 55 degrees, so the water temperature the next morning was pretty chilly!) Our newest swimmer didn't seem to mind, though Ryan seemed a little cold. After the brothers were done playing tennis, they joined us in the pool. Ian had fun jumping from the side into Jon or Chelsea's waiting arms.
Ian showed Chelsea some of his swimming moves, including how to blow bubbles.
Before we left the racquet club, Jon took Ian to try out the club's indoor playground for kids.
Ian had a GREAT time at the racquet club. Since being home, he has asked when we can go play tennis at "Sam's Club" again. :)
Jon and Chelsea wanted us to try out a fun burger/shake/fries place called Don and Millie's. It WAS good!
After rest time, we all wanted to enjoy the beautiful weather some more! Chelsea and Ian drew shapes and letters on the sidewalk while Ryan pushed the dump truck some more!
Chelsea made shape drawing easier by drawing dots for Ian to connect. Her biggest challenge was drawing dots in the right place so Ian could make an octagon. She did great!
Ryan also enjoyed playing with the small vehicles, watching bubbles, and attempting to eat the chalk while we were outside.
Ian helped Uncle Jon water some plants in his garden.
After dinner, Aunt Chelsea had a special treat planned ... making homemade frozen yogurt. She was a loving, patient teacher and let Ian help with every step in the process!
The finished product was delicious!
On Tuesday morning, we got to see the school where Aunt Chelsea teaches. We saw her lead a volleyball open gym. (She seems like an AWESOME coach to those girls!) Then, she gave us a tour of the school, ending in her classroom. (She seems like an AWESOME teacher, too!) The boys were excited to explore her classroom.
We spent the rest of Tuesday in Seward (next post) before leaving Lincoln the next morning. Thank you, Jon and Chelsea, for your hospitality while we were in Lincoln. You were so accommodating -- letting us reorganize your home to keep certain objects out of the reach of our curious 1-year-old and blocking of your stairs with chairs). You were creative in all of the activities you planned for us! Thank you for being a wonderful brother and sister-in-law and a fun aunt and uncle! We love you so much!
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