And a fabulous holiday in Omaha it was

It is that time to crash Blogger's server with copious amounts of amazing Melinda-manifested photos from our truly magical visit to Omaha for the celebration of the Christmas.

Except for these first three shots...before Melinda got here... after that I forgot that I had a camera phone.

 A great visit  to the the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum. We got to see the planes Grandpa flew and get up and personal with some missiles that Brock had been very interested in before our visit as well.

 He is making this tank seem WAY more exciting than it was.

a poignant moment as the fine art of veggie noodles is passed from one generation to the next...

"Wacky Blasters", a highly strategic exercise in meta-cognition ... hmmm. not so much. This board game from Matt and Melinda's past became the epicenter of fun for Brock throughout the trip. The game consists of  a quartet of long-nosed rubber creatures that blow puff balls through a carefully constructed obstacle course.

 Oh goodness, the loot! The loot!! Above is a stocking appetizer (it actually was desert) of goodies.

 A few good little girls and boys ... and another chaotic-neutral creature in blue.

 OMG was sooooo jelly for the team-Knight-festive-T-rex-sleepware.

 Enough of this "picture" baloney, time for the goods!

 Matt's labor of love is revealed, a homemade nail-rubber band board. Brock loved it, but has not the heart to remove Murray and the tree for any future creative projects.

 Max opens his bow and arrow from us. Or should I say, "goblin weapon" as Brock and Max re--purposed the arrows for some fine fantasy slaying.

 Thank you thank you thank you Santa Jim and Julie for all of the lovely treats!

 I think for 2 Christmas visits in a row now I have come away with the largest gift, much to the envy of the smaller ones.

 A metal goat!!!! Did you not see that coming? Amazing, I admired this fine hoofed-mammal this past summer and never thought I would be visited by his visage again. I was wrong! A heist was maneuvered with Jim and Julie to procure this gem and continue our tradition of unusual delights under the tree (following the season before last's taxidermy jackalope).

Max and Madeline got Brock and Matt these amazingly spinney ball fighter things for Christmas. Max had one as well; Brock and Max take them for a test spin...

 The anticipated event, "Penguins and Pancakes" and the fabulous Omaha Zoo, courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa Omaha was greatly enjoyed the day after Christmas. 

 Here is the title character in all her glory, although I missed Brock's unsolicited penguin groping of yesteryear. 

 Daddy seahorse with what we think are his brood held safe in the belly.

 Run Matt!! (ha ha ha, reference to San Diego sting ray mauling of 2017)

 Onguard! Tickle war.

 To the death.

 Time for philosophical pondering of marine biology, existence and the purpose of being.

 Deep stuff.

 It was craaaazzzzyyyy, Brock like totally got stuck in the penguin tank.

A lesson on penguin bellies perhaps.

 Round II. To the pain.

 bats.

 monkeys.

 Then lunch at one our fav grub spots Jim and Julie introduced us to this summer, complete with giant connect 4.

 We head out to base the next day to enjoy the awesome gym and test run the rumble-bubbles we got for Max and Madeline. 

 

They sort-of look like adorable bacteria under the microscope.

 Brock and Max were quite enamored of Grandpa O's marble maze. Brock was somehow entertained by my epic run of 11... (how it could have any zing after Grandpa O's forward then backward completion of the maze is a tribute to how truly engrossing it was for him).

 

They also greatly quite fancied their little ameba fort.  Doh, I think it made a hole in it. Apparently our holiday offerings are only meant to be savored fleetingly. Sorry Max and Madeline!

One day we went to the ninja warrior gym.

 Brock's true delight was jumping into the foam cubes.

 and a tickle re-match.

 In case you can't tell from the picture, climbing is kinda Madeline's thing. The wall barely challenged the little mountain goat.

 Gawd. I knew it would happen on one visit... Pizza Ranch is now
Brock's favorite restaurant. The kids plot world annihilation over endless bread sticks. 

Max and Madeline showed Brock the real glory of Pizza Ranch... the games and prizes. With Grandma's excellent example, Brock did a pretty solid job at Ski Ball.

 We take a spin on the Twister picnic blanket. I kept on Santa's good girl list by not posting any of the amazingly humorous butt shots (jk).

 Matt and I's yoga skills go head to head.

 And, Brock discovers jello. 

 I think we have a winner.

 A final Christmas rodeo with Uncle Matt the wild stallion (my words).

And the glorious trip ends in a loving bloodbath. Huzah.

Not sure what Brock is plotting to bring a stop to the infernal snoogs going on...

Merry Christmas in January and thank you for all our lovely family for being there and being so fun.