Omahome for the holdiays 2019

So glorious to celebrate the most festive of seasons in Omaha with the GPO's (grandparents of Omaha) and the K's (Kights!). We always are greeted by a team of dinos decked out in holiday finery when we arrive by Mazda sleigh.

And what could be more Christmasy then a trip to the mall! Not just any mall, the Mall of the Bluffs! The deadest mall of ALLLL!!!!! Oh what a fabulous anthropological study of authentic artifacts from the 80's! Like a pay phone (or a phone) or a fax or a shoulder pad!

 Alice and Brock feed the vehicles likely their last 50 cents ever.

Time for our annual trip to the Everything is 5$ store, the only store in the mall.

Here we are with JUST ONE of the amazing finds! Not the baby.

Then we are off to our favorite candy store for some goodies.

As if that safari cart was not wild enough, Alice moves on to the big leagues of thrill seekers with a ride atop the wild stallion. 

Then to another mall! These malls did not attend the same re-branding conference, because the Regency Mall was killing it. They have the best Santa in Omaha, maybe in the world and maybe that includes the North Pole. Brock got his photo with this Santa five years ago and it was our favorite photo ever, so we wanted to repeat with Alice. But after witnessing the 2 hour line for Santa, I was longing for the Mall of the Bluffs. So it was off to Cabela's for a photo op with Santa aannnd, hopefully, a rifle! We thought we might re-create Madeline's amazing photo that she got years ago. 

Ok, this Cabela's did not give us a gun for a prop for Santa photos. Maybe this is the times. Anyhow, we did our best with Alice sitting on the video shooting range.

And then to Santa!

Another amazing success.

Before we took the photo Santa was telling us about the crazy people who try to get a BAD photo with Santa. Who are those freaks? Eh hem. We'll be going now.

Now this is a Christmas photo. Don't think I can use it for next year.

We then went to visit a troll under the bridge and took a walk to a playground that had a sensational pile of leaves.

The GPO's get in some Alice playground time.

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a...BLAAA! HURL! PUKE!!! . Alice explosive vomited starting at exactly midnight. I am sure the rest of the house was very confused that Santa would scream like a little girl and a reindeer would shout superlatives. Maybe he was stuck in the chimney? No no. That was just Alice. five sets of crib sheets (WOW! Julie I am so grateful you saved them all!) a bath, and me sleeping on the floor of Alice's room later, Christmas morning arrived! I am so hoping to find a nap in my stocking.

Look at these adorable bubbalahs! Unphased by the night's madness (it helps when you are sleeping in the basement).

Presents: the best medicine.

There was a lot of medicine.

Brock gets Yoshi from cousins with much joy.

On the left: We got Brock a small Nerf gun for under the tree only to find the majestic pistol he is holding wrapped up from the GPO's on Christmas morn.

On the right: In my complete lack of sleep delirium I mange to give away what Grandpa's big present is from all the kids. Dartboard!! No! no! I meant bowling ball! Giant Christmas fail. 

GMaO displays the ornament Brock made for her. It is Murray with a cat (Brock and GMaO have a ritual of going to the cat cafe together) in a rocket ship. Captured in Shrinky Dink.

 And it was hung.

Brock also made GMaO a festive garland.

Two cuties here. Alice seems to be feeling better.

 

Santa brings Brock the one of two things he wanted, a microscope!!

Can this be? Twix popcorn. Mark is speechless.

 

Alice crosses off both items from her Christmas list: a baby and a bottle of booze. As a general rule, I do find they go well together. This baby doll was such a find from Grandma Donut- it floats in a nawhal! Also seen is a charming caterpillar with stuff to fasten that Alice likes as well.

 

Santa brought Alice a duck puppet. It is real cute.

Now it is time for some holiday portraits!

 and a couple of outtakes...

After gifts we head out to the local play ground to burn off some pecan rolls.

Ah, the snack cup kick, a real thigh burner.

 

Yeah. It is like high 50's. I think last year it was like -10 or something.

  

Ah ha! The beast is at hand! I mean the meat, just to clarify, Grandpa is harmless.

EAT. Table 1/2 part 1.

EAT. Table 1/2 part 2.

Aunt Melinda made her mark with Alice and even got a protein O share.

We cap the night with beverages outside by the fire. Such a wonderful day that had no vomiting. 

Yep. Pretty much sums it up.

Next day! Pancakes and Penguins (PP) at the FABULOUS Omaha zoo has become one of our most wonderful annual events; thank you GPO's!!

Pose with our annual PP schwag.

We have come to the "pancakes" portion. Max and I get selected to catch the flying pancakes from the midwest's master of flying dough (____insert name, I don't know his name, but he's great). Max easily snares all three with his magnetic plate and mad catching skills.

I feel a little guilty. This is my second year catching pancakes. I should have said, "no, no, thanks, but my son (or husband, or grandpa or grandma or niece or bro/sis in law would love a turn...) but I was seduced by elated feeling that ensues when a disc of flat baked batter is in full propulsion at one's face. You understand.

This, Alice, is what it is like to not have bones or a job.

I think penguin is taking in the magnificent 260 degree aquarium panorama.

Madeline's peng gets a look. And I am dreaming of fish.

Jim is penguin caddy for a day.

"Ha ha! I shall sleep in a bed and get thrown at a little girl likely!!" says, Max's penguin condescendingly to the convict penguins.

But OMG this little cutie was there.

Speaking of primates...

 

We love a good family game. But hark? What tis that I hear? It is a very grumpy Brock! The Knights got us/Brock a festive card game called Taco, Goat, Cheese Pizza. It was fun for us, but Brock was playing the part of the debutante. Taco, Goat, Cheese, Pizza, Sadness more like. Sheesh. We'll revisit it Knights, one day, one day...

The army poses and is gloriously recorded for all antiquity.

Let the zombie apocalypse begin!

Oh and look at these two wonderful humans. This is the reason for the season! Three awesome families, one awesome house, equals an awesome good time. THANKS wonderful hosts and guests! Love ya!! See you next epic blog post (and thanks for the pictures everyone as usual)!