Summer - Week 5 and 6

We've been busy the past two weeks. Jeff was home with us for the week of the 4th of July. We did some projects at home. The basement is clean and organized! It's been 2 years in the making....but we finally have it finished! It looks great and everyone loves to spend time down there. We got a new futon that the kids LOVE to always flip into the bed. Jeff's desk is down in the basement, so he can work in cool quiet.

The 4th of July in our neighborhood is always amazing! The city of Omaha doesn't allow for many fireworks...but we liVe out of the city limits...so it's like a combat zone. Many people run to the Missouri border to get "bigger and better" fireworks (M-80's and the like). It was a great night - kids had a 'blast' lighting off the few fireworks we got.

We were also excited to hear our neighbors had their baby. Matt and Sasha live right across the street and have 2 year old Jack. (Jack was born a few weeks after we first moved to Omaha). Now they have welcomed baby Savanna into the world. Matt and Sasha are so kind to our kids. They always ask the kids what's new....they really engage them in conversation. They are great parents and wonderful people. I think Joe wants to be a lawyer, now, because of Matt.

I went through the kids' closets and took the many clothes that were too small, we organized rooms, cleaned under the beds.....just in time to welcome the Dixen family for their yearly visit.

I always have so much fun when my friend (and sorority sister) Starla comes to visit with her two kiddos...Rayna and Dane. Rayna and Jenna are both 7 and love to play together. This year Dane is 4 and loved to play with both Joe and Jack. They mainly played with the GI Joe 'guys'....and the nerf guns. We did so much when they were here....movies, The Amazing Pizza Machine, YMCA swimming, bowling, shopping...we all had a great visit.

So, as we seem to wind down our summer (I'm back to school on August 1).....I still have a lot planned. A trip to Wisconsin (Janesville and Viroqua) out to Vegas with my sorority sitsters...welcome my friends Glenn and Linda back to Omaha (they have brought their camper out here the past two summers) and this year they are bringing my friend - Karen and daugheters (Olivia and Ella)....then I need to get my classroom together.

Wow.....what a summer!!!