A visit from Starla

My dear friend, Starla, has been visiting since Saturday. She lives in River Falls, Wisconsin. Joining her during her visit are her children, Rayna (5) and Dane (2). Jenna has been so happy to have Rayna here to play dress-up, Polly Pockets, and everyother girl thing.

We have kept busy. Sunday we all went to church and then did a little shopping. I bought a small blow up pool (for only $8) and the kids have used it everyday since. We had a little pool party with a new neighbor Kelly and her daughter Katelyn. The kids ran back and forth from their yard to our yard. Sunday evening Starla, my neighbor Charlotte, and I went to the Melting Pot for a special birthday dinner for Starla. It was an awesome time! Jeff was a great babysitter and chef to all 5 kids! He seemed to love spending time with Dane! He has been busy working on the basement getting the bathroom going.

Monday went to the Omaha Zoo. The kids did great in the 90 degree heat. We stayed cool in the buildings. After the zoo we all took a nap.....We had more pool time with a different neighbor (also named Kelli) and her daughter Drew. Kelli is also a teacher.

Tuesday Charlotte and Kellen came over for an early morning playdate. Jackson had school. After I picked Jack up from school we got ready to go on our daily adventure. We visited the Mormon Trail Pioneer Museum. It was a small museum, but the perfect size for our tired kids. After the museum we drove to see Cunningham Lake. We were surprised that this lake no longer exists. It is all dried up. After our disappointing visit to the lake we drove past my school. We did another detour to Cold Stone Creamery to get a birthday cake for Starla. By the time we got home everyone was ready for a little rest time. For supper we went (with Charlotte and Kellen) to "The Amazing Pizza Machine". It was a pizza buffet with a salad, taco, pasta, baked potato, and dessert bar. We also did some games. I won all of the kids a stuffed animal from the claw machine (my dad would be so proud!!!). Kids had a great time. We ended the night with a swim in .....the POOL! Joe had filled the pool up in the morning, so that water was the perfect temperature by 7:45 PM! Kids swam for an hour. Now it is time for bed! I'm sure they will have a good night's sleep. Joe didn't wake up this morning until 9:00. (HUMMMM, he must get that from me!) Tomorrow we may actually PAINT the living room! I'm thinking of a nice creamy dark brown for one wall and another lighter brown for the other 3 walls. Starla and family will have to leave on Thursday. I sure will miss my time with them! We've gotten a lot of chatting in!