Henry Doorly Zoo, Our Friend

Drew looking at a turtle shell

Ty looking at some fur...can't remember what this is

Izzy and Drew with a fake lizard

Ty's turn to touch

Drew and Ty with our nieces Izzy and Ally









Gorilla Time









Jeremy and Drew on the train ride

Ty on the train

Mom decided to take a nap on the train

Feeding time for the penguins

From DrewBear to RingBear

The boys looking oh so handsome


Drew hiding from me

Walking into the Church

"No Pictures Please"

Double Trouble-Ally and Drew

Father of the Bride-Uncle Jim

The Bride, Groom, and Mintken Family

Drew walking down the aisle

Father and Bride

Drew standing with his cousins...that is what he kept calling Casey and Korby

Mr. and Mrs. Kuhr

Ally and Izzy walking back down the aisle

Izzy

Ally

Ally and Drew shaking their groove thing

Drew doing the mashed potato

Ally, Drew, and Ty

Chunk towards the end of the night, but still has a smile on his face

Trip to Nebraska

Thursday morning the four of us left for Nebraska (for my cousins wedding) around 10:00AM, we only managed to stop twice during our five hour trip. The trip back to Nebraska was for Lexie's wedding (my cousin) but we had so much planned for the four days there.

Our first stop on Thursday was in Tekamah to visit Grandma, Rich and Carol. We visited with them for a few hours then headed to Blair to drop our things off at Jim and Shelly's and change.

After we left Jim and Shelly's we headed to Omaha for the wedding rehearsal (oh yes I forgot to mention, Drew was the ring bear). When we pulled up to the church Drew was all excited because there was a race car in the parking lot (a corvette) and little did we know that it belonged to Tim (Lexie's soon to be husband). During the rehearsal I wonder how well Drew would do the next day. He walked down the aisle pretty well with Izzy and Ally, but did not want to stand up at the front...maybe if he warmed up to Casey and Korby he would? After rehearsal we were off for the dinner, during the dinner Tim and Lexie gave Drew two Ninja Turtles...and a ride in Tim's race car.

Friday Drew had to be at the church at 2:30 for pictures. He fell asleep on the way there and when he had to wake him up he was a bear...didn't want to get dressed or have his pictures taken. The wedding started at 6:00 and he did a great job, he even stood up front with Casey and Korby. After the wedding we went on to the reception, Jeremy and the boys made it until about 9:30 and they headed back to the hotel.

Saturday we spent most of the day at the zoo and that evening we grilled with the Mintken's

Sunday we ate breakfast with Jim and Shelly and headed to Tekamah. We visited with Grandma and Carol and when Rich got home from Church we all headed out for lunch at a new restaurant in town which happened to be Mom's old salon. After lunch it was time to head home, we made it home around 7:00 which gave us enough time for dinner, baths, and bed.

This is the short summary of the weekend. I will add some more posts from the wedding and the zoo.

Love ya all,
Megan

To Lose A Son

I was informed yesterday that a friend from grade school lost her brother-in-law over the holiday weekend, and I can't seem to stop thinking about it. I've never meet him, nor have I ever met my friends husband (his brother). To my knowledge he was young man and, it makes me wonder how his parents got out of bed today. I can't imagine the loss of a son/daughter.

Since the death of dad I've often wonder "What God Was Thinking", but have never been able to come up with that answer. There are days when I feel like he is still here with me and other days he feels so far away and I am afraid my memories will fade away. I truly know that my memories of Dad will never vanish from my heart and that God had a bigger and better plan that I can/will ever imagine.

Since yesterday I've been thinking of my Grandma as well, and I would like to think that I will grow into half the lady that she is. My Grandma is a strong women who has survived the loss of two sons, husband, siblings, and friends.

Thinking of my Grandma, I know that the Smiths will get through this day by day, week by week, and sadly year by year. I truly believe that one day all of our questions will be answered when we are met at Heaven's Gate.

Critters

We have some new family members. Grandma Pingel found Drew a fish bowl and a 5 gallon tank. Yesterday the boys and I went to Pet Smart and purchased two gold fish, the orange one is Dorthy (Dorthy is Elmo's fish too) and the black one is Wolverine and the hermit crab with the Ninja Turtle painted on it is Turtle. Drew had fun picking them out, getting their new homes ready, and naming them. Now the black fishes name has changed several times so we will see what it is later this week. Also Turtle may be getting a roommate, I was doing some reading and crabs are more active and living longer if there is more than one. Turtle has been fun so far, he likes to play, but is a bit scared of things...like Heavy.

Playing With Friends

Here are some pictures of the boys outside. The other little one is Isaiah, he is a neighbor boy and he and Drew are just a few months apart. That day I caught two toads so that is what they are looking at in the bowl.

How Is It Possible

I've been doing so reminiscing over the last few weeks, it makes me both sad and happy.

Thanks to facebook, I have found some friends that I made while living in The Netherlands. It is hard for me to imagine that it has been 10 years since I packed up my life and moved over there. At the time, I thought, "I am 17 I can do this", but looking back now I think, "Wow I was only 17". I feel like I learned more there than I ever would have my junior year, it forced me to grow up and not depend on Mom and Dad, and the experience...well it was that of a life time. When thinking back it seems so long ago, I truly believe I would not be who I am or where I am if I had not gone.

Next year will be my 10 year reunion which seems even more crazy. Friday night I was able to go back to Eldora and see some high school friends, Sherri, Dani, and Amber. It was great to catch up and talk about the "old days". I enjoyed myself and I enjoyed my company. I look forward to catching up with everyone next year, and I think it is getting to be that time when Ben needs to start the planning.

Jeremy and I have been together for 9 years, I was 18 when we meet at Fareway...hard to believe. I thank God everyday for him and the experiances we have shared. He has been both my rock and my soft spot. I am excited to see what the next 9 years brings for us.