Drinking It In

So, Joe and I have been married for almost 20 years, come the beginning of January. We wanted to do something special, so we had the idea to go to Disneyland over New Year's, by ourselves, since that is where we spent our Honeymoon. Plans are made, and plans change, and somehow that anniversary trip for New Year's turned into a family trip for Thanksgiving. Guess what? I wouldn't change a thing.

Since Utah is roughly half-way, it was a good excuse to stop and see family (Joe's family on the way there, and mine on the way back). Driving west is such a lift to my spirits EVERY TIME. As soon as we start getting into mountains, and dry desert air, and red rock, I feel like I'm coming alive. I know this landscape isn't for everyone, but I just drink it in.

I thought it was hilarious when we stopped at this one rest stop/view area, and they had this sign there.

Yes, I thought it was funny. No, I'm not the one who scratched "Funny B----" on the sign. Maybe this lady would have been happier to be in flat, green, humid Nebraska. We can't always live where we want to live, right? :)

Anyway, we made our way to California, and had a little time that first evening to go to the pier at Huntington beach. It was a little chilly, but a gorgeous night, and I love the ocean almost as much as the mountains.

While we were here I told Cora about how I had bought a white dress for myself, years ago, just across the street from the pier, and a few years later I refashioned that dress into Cora's blessing dress. I don't think I've been back to Huntington Beach since then. Good times.

I think I'll make our Disneyland days another post, so stay tuned.

A First Place Halloween

Our ward Trunk or Treat was another hit this year. Was that because I took first place in the pie contest? Maybe.

Wast that a total fluke? Maybe. I mean, I've never actually made a pecan pie in my life, but I have this recipe book from Texas, when we lived there, and I thought to myself - self, Texans know pecan pie. Plus I have a great crust recipe from my Mother-in-law. Apparently, it was a winning combination :)

As you can see, I went as some kind of spider lady, not to be confused with Spiderman. Joe wore this shirt. He really gets into the spirit of Halloween.

Cora was rocking her own version of Cat in the Hat.

Joseph was very excited about his last minute idea to go as Jim from The Office dressed as a 3-hole punch.

Madelyn, who I didn't get a picture of at the church, was a witch. This is a picture of her and her friends on Halloween night, minus her hat.

And Alex went as a blond Harry Potter again.

I did not eat ONE single piece of candy for Halloween. I did not even tax my children for their candy.  This has never happened before. And I only had a VERY small piece of my award winning pecan pie (which was delicious!).  I'm just trying to make healthier choices for myself, and it's paying off. It doesn't mean I don't have treats - I mean, in my last post I had apple doughnuts from Valas - but I'm just being more mindful, one day at a time.....even on Halloween.

Va-la-la-la-la

It's Fall, and around here that means Vala's Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard. It's a BIG deal around here - a tradition. This place is pricey though, which might be for good reasons (as I'll explain later), but it's still more than our family of 6 can afford. But guess what? We just happened to buy our house here through the best realty company EVER! Every year, the Homefront Team at Nebraska Realty hosts a free day at Vala's for all it's past clients. What?!!! They also provide a dinner, gift bags for the adults, treat bags for the kids, free family photos, and prizes. What?!!! We're pretty much all over that. Except that for one reason or other, Joe hasn't gone with us either year, and this year it was just me and the girls. Oh well, it's still tons of fun.

Vala's is HUGE. It started as a small family business 35 years ago, but has grown into a 400-acre operation, with over 50 attractions, 3 live shows, shopping, food, and more. We were there for about 4 hours, and did a TON of stuff, but we really didn't even scratch the surface. We did pedal go-carts, played in corn, bounced, petted goats and visited a bunny village, raced rubber ducks, hoisted hay bales, played games, and miniature golf. We ate chili, fried chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, apple doughnuts, hot cocoa and hot apple cider. So much to do, not enough time.We could have stayed longer, but once the sun went down it was getting really cold, so we decided to call it a day.

 

Last year (which I never posted about) we weren't there as long (we were new to Vala's, so we had no idea what was in store for us), but we still rode the train, walked through a haunted graveyard, and ate all the food.

 

Next year I plan to spend even MORE time there, and hopefully Joe will be with me. I can't wait :)

General Crook

My lovely friend, Ilese, and I visited the General Crook House Museum in Omaha. General Crook was in command of the Department of the Platte, with headquarters at Fort Omaha in the later 1800's. He was a Civil War hero, and after the National Indian Wars was considered the greatest Indian fighter in the history of the US - not exactly a great title to have. However, I found it interesting that over time, he actually became a defender of Native American rights. Good example of how people can change I guess.

Side note, when Fort Omaha became too small for the army's needs, they built Fort Crook, which was later taken over by the Air Force and renamed Offutt AFB. 

The house museum, built in 1879, is an award winning, authentically restored home, showing how a commanding officer would have lived in the frontier in the 1800's....although, none of the pieces in the house are original to THAT house. Still very cool though. Every detail.

Warning, if you are not a fan of a bunch of pictures of an Italianate-style home with furnishings from the 1880's Victorian period, than the rest of this post is not for you ;) P.S. I am also a little obsessed with door knobs, but who isn't, right?

 Staircase and Hallway

 Receiving Room

 Living Room

 Dining Room

 

  Crook's Office

 Guest Bedroom

 Wife's Morning Room

 Wife's Bedroom

 Crook's Bedroom

Garden

 

My FAVORITE part was a Regina Music Box in the receiving room - these were the first music boxes manufactured in America - and this one still works! It was so fun :)

We finished our day with some delicious Cajun food, and hopefully our next adventure isn't too far away.