Christmas in Omaha

Oh my, what a truly joyous time we imparted with the ever amazing hosting of Grandma and Grandpa C (Jim and Julie). Starring, us of course, and the wonderful Knights of Seattle, cousins Max and Madeline, Auntie Melinda and Uncle Mark. We had the luxury of driving and staying a full nine days! Epic. 

With the days leading up to Almost Christmas (we all agreed to celebrate on the 27th, so nice to have no schedule!) there was much fun had.

We started with a delicious Christmas morning breakfast at Village Inn. Pancakes!!

Then we played some Candyland

 and set up some cars.

The next morning Brock helped Grandma make her famous caramel pecan rolls. Gotta have butter.

We spent the most splendid day at the Omaha Children's museum, which I think rivals and even triumph's over Chicago's!

 Flying a helicopter with the experience and assistance of grandpa, B52 pilot extraordinaire.

 Oh and then there were balls. So many wonderful balls. Raining balls. BALLS! They had a ball room that was basically engineered and executed to fulfill Brock's fantasy world.

 as I said... BALLS!!

 Live in action.

 

 and here we have .... balls. Going up!

Just in case you missed his excitement in the first video.

 Guess what this fine team is pushing up the tube... BALLS. Surprise.

One last balls video. It's short. 

 Brock has always loved play food, the mini-grocery was absolutely adorable. It was almost sad to return to Chicago's! (see past post of "Brock looks good in an Apron". I should have subtitled it "missing Omaha's mini-grocery"...)

 Oh gosh did he love putting candles on the cake.

 A man of intense focus and determination, every candle had to have a place before proceeding.

Ten carrots and a donut. The new food pyramid. Or I guess it would be a food line.

Don't forget pizza for grandpa. 

 Fixing a tire. Again, trumping Chicago's mini-service station.

 

 Brock got a little stuck in this rope climber in the superhero exhibit. Not so super-hero-ly. Unless we make a new character, perhaps "Small-human-with-rope-in-crotch Man"! I'll send a letter to Marvel and DC.

Superheroes need to walk on ledges.

Brock loved the carousel. That expression is his version of joy.

 Nothing ends a day better than being digested whole by a green hippo. What a super fun way to begin our trip!

Getting re-acquainted over a bit of story time.


Cousins getting back in the groove.

Madeline had lots of pro tips for novice-builder Brock.

The next day was Almost Christmas. Matt relives his glory days as the official present-passer-outer.

A pretty tough job actually with such a scrumptious haul.

Max is a newly anointed Star Wars scholar. Here he is with some of the most current literature. Some favorite gifts revolved around his appetite for the beloved example of the classic Hollywood paradigm including a Star Wars encyclopedia, laser and representative apparel.

I think the perplexus was Brock's favorite. We got him the Rookie after displaying his deep affection for our grown-up Epic. He loved it, but I think he is still partial to the grown-up one.

Madeline got a teacher set rendering us thoroughly schooled.

Another Brock favorite was a duplo ice-cream set from grandma and grandpa. Ice-cream cone is now a personified 6-scoop monstrosity that makes its way into most of his daytime play adventures.

Matt got an awesome coffee table book about the history of the board of trade. It is going to be fun to show Brock one day! He currently thinks Matt is some kind of farmer and leaves every day to tend to the herd.

Brock made the grandmas ornaments this year. This one he did all the gluing of the felt and sewing of the yarn.

Melinda and I shared a package from Aunt Linda... cookie cutters! We divided and enjoyed. I think I have quite the bunny collection now... just in time for Easter!

and I got a new sewing machine!!  Fun for the whole family as you can see.

I like it a lot. Thank you love!

Then, in case we didn't have enough loot, it was on to stockings! Mark demonstrates the joy of the sock.

There are no words for my final and now most coveted conversational piece. According to my official Jackalope owner's certificate, the hunting season is only for 2 hours on a given moon cycle... I feel very privileged.

Rock Elmo was reclaimed by Brock, a Christmas gift for Madeline a few years earlier. The circle of life.

Madeline's nana is a yarn expert and fashioned for her the most remarkable tea set. Here is the practice run.

 Post gifting was filled with music. Matt got "his dad" (in quotes as gift was more for Matt) new guitar strings so he could play the holiday tunes he had been working on. 

 Then it was on to Christmas dinner! A highlight for Brock was the sparkling grape juice. It was a huge hit and he was almost as bubbly as the juice with the "sparkly" in his mouth.

Here's a video of sparkle juice magic.


 The turtle neck was a great costume choice for the image. He is going to be such a snob when he grows up! Sooooo sophisticated.

Max is noting the mineral grass quality and the effervescent mouth-feel.

The last gift under the tree for the kids from grandma and grandpa were tickets for all of us to go to Penguins and Pancakes at the fabulous Omaha zoo. This might have been my favorite day!!

We all took home an adorable baby penguin as a souvenir.

Breakfast included pancakes from the Pancake Man. An Omaha institution, but new to me! I schmoozed them up in the line and got to catch my meal!

 So close! Blew it in the finale.

Here is the main event. The Penguin.

Brock was so daring and naughty. He got a front row seat and had the audacity to pet the little guy! Thank goodness he didn't lunge with beak, I was a mix of embarrassment and pride. They seem to often go together for me. (what follows are a few shots immediately after Brock petted the penguin)

 We had a very special day there. Since we were there before the aquarium opened for the public we had it all to ourselves. We were told the morning is their favorite time; they were extremely active and put on an impressive show.  For me the octopus stole the show (not pictured, sadly).

Back at the ranch, Matt gets pummeled.

The final hours of 2015 already? We visited the Durham Museum to celebrate Noon-year's eve with style.

 We got to make our party hats and pose under the official 2016!

The museum is housed in the historical Union Station. The space is amazing and the giant tree did the remarkable ceilings justice.

Inside one of the museum's many historical trains.

The snuggle train!

Then we went to jail. Train jail! 

The cows missed the memo that Matt was on vacation.

The last night in Omaha was poker night. Brock helps grandpa set up the table.

Oh sweet sadness! Time to load up and head out!

A monumental trip and a monumental post! Thank you everyone for making it such a bright season. Thank you Melinda, as always, for your diligent and beautiful photos that made 75% of this post possible! Miss ya and love ya all!