Day 176

After a quick stop at the Starbucks and Walmart in North Platte, NE, Jamie and Lynn headed out to Union Pacific Railroad's Bailey Yard, home of the Golden Spike Tower, where you can view the huge yard from the 7th and 8th floor. All the Bailey Yard photos are here. Fabulous lunch at Suwanee Thai in Kearney, NE. Uniquely good! After an audio lesson or two on Genesis from Dennis Prager, they were at their destination: Omaha, NE. Very fun downtown area just a few blocks from the hotel. Full of fun restaurants, pubs, shops, etc. with more on the way. We tried to go to the French place, Le Bouillon, but it was booked with private parties all weekend. So we chose Nicola's Italian place and it was great.

UPRR's Bailey Yard as seen from the Golden Spike Tower.

Downtown North Platte.
The Bailey Yard is a couple miles to the left.

Suwanee Thai

Suwanee's Spicy Green Beans

12+ seat "bike" in Omaha

At Nicola's

Snitch Chardonnay (Napa). Cute label.
Excellent bruschetta at Nicola's.

12 People Power + 2 tag-a-longs (rear) and a driver

From the former U.S. National Bank downtown.
Originally 1887, reconstructed in 1979.

UPRR face mask at Golden Spike Tower

And that's just the sitting room...

Day 175

It was great to walk AJ to school again; it's been over a year. And Matt was right behind with the littles. Nana and Papa had lunch at El Jacal Mexican Grill in Fort Morgan, CO and dinner at the Canteen Bar and Grille in North Platte, NE. Fabulous mud pie at the Canteen, and a delightfully friendly server. The two of them are on their way to a wedding in Omaha, NE.

El Jacal, Fort Morgan, CO

AJ and Papa

Canteen, North Platte, NE

Day 174

A new puzzle gets under way. Check out Lexi's art from school. The left image show it full open. When you fold it up to bring lower together with upper, it looks like the right side. Outside. Inside. Cute, huh! The patio has become even more fun with the weather cooling off. Fina and a cohort bake chocolate chip cookies - for everyone! Matteo got some fishing in after school today; caught six. In the meantime, AJ was off at dance class; he loves it. Matt made chicken lollipops and asparagus for dinner.

Day 173

Fina told us one of the benefits of online school is that you learn to feed yourself. And sometimes how to feed others, too, who horn in on your meal. Tracy got a few more items at Target that she couldn't get at CostCo. "That's just a little Target run." Nana has the wedding gift all ready to go to Omaha. Fina has managed to get EVERYTHING she needs for school in that carry bag: computer, pens, pencils, stapler, 3-ring binder, folders for loose leaf papers, IDs, calendar, everything. It's kinda amazing. I guess just turning the books into electrons on the computer makes a huge difference. Nana, Papa, and Matteo went to Chuy's for dinner after picking him up at the van stop. That tres leches cake is something else! Jamie taught his Isaac and Jacob class from the God is Good course. 

Day 172

Everyone goes to school today. In fact, everyone goes to school full schedule today and all week, and the next week, etc. Hallelujah! Nana and Papa did some running around errands, doctor visits, etc. and finished up with lunch at Marigold. Gotta love that 2-for-1 cocktail Monday! The big deal of the day was the twins first organized sports activity - soccer! What a hoot. Looks like they have a great coach for this group. Of course, the twins look like they're in the wrong age group. They stayed engaged the entire practice, most of which Jonny was grinning from ear to ear. David was fully engaged as well, but a little more serious, and he got hurt a bit towards the end which slowed him down momentarily. All the soccer pics are here. Tracy whipped up some corn bread and chili for dinner. Tonight's movie: Morning Glory.

He was actually eating.

He was grinning.

He was belly laughing.

Day 171

TimberCreek Church was the morning activity. The rest of the day was fairly low key (assuming we're remembering everything.

They still do book covers from paper bags!?

Done!

Day 170

I delighted in the change of weather today. Never got out of the 60s, and some rain and lightning to add to the excitement. I actually wore a beanie outside to stay warm. This made me start to think of the value of change. It's good to have change, or certainly can be. Seasons are fun. Day to day changes in weather are fun, or at least interesting. Probably more importantly, I began to realize what changes in myself have occurred lately. Change often leads to learning about something, and I get animated when I study something (and I've had the great privilege to have gotten into learning from Dennis Prager). Especially, I have come to realize, it's especially good when new learning adds wisdom to my life. One of the reasons, I think, that all this lockdown stuff, now 170 days old, is OK is that it has opened up doors to learning and doing different things that may have never happened without it. Of course, I do realize all change is not necessarily good. But one can at least try "to make the most of it." Fishing became even more of a thing in this family during the lockdown. Matt took the five littles fishing today at Palmer Lake. They were out for hours. Caught 34 fish! Each kid caught fish, including the littlest. And they thought they were just fishin'. I did today's Parlor Car Chat on the three garden railroads Dad and I (mostly Dad) built in California. I'm doing two online programs these days, the other being a God is Good course. I am a teacher at heart, and a large part of why I love sharing things with people is that I learn so much myself in preparing for the sessions. I've always said, "if you want to really learn something, prepare to teach it." Even if you never teach it in any formal sense, it works for you. The three older gals in the family went "into the Out" today. Look out world. By the way, AJ, I saw a post on Facebook today that led me to a place that rents kayaks: Pikes Peak Outfitter (across the highway from CostCo). Matt grilled up some steaks for dinner to which we added a couple tasty Black Rooster Chiantis. Tonight's movie: The House.

Major score on big puzzles.

Jonny and Lexi color project.

Parlor Car Chat: Garden Railroads