April - May - June

Here is a recap of what we've been up to in April, May and June...

In April Tony again participated in the State Geography Bee held on the campus of University of Nebraska-Omaha. Gramma and Papa Maras again made the trip and brought Auntie Jojo this time. Although Tony did not advance to the Top 10 this year, he did FANTASTIC and we all enjoyed the day.

Let's see if next year is a three-peat!

The same weekend, Olivia participated in the FBLA State Leadership Conference in Omaha. She came home with many ribbons and a really pretty trophy for placing 3rd in an event that qualified her for Nationals. Good job Livie! The skills she is gaining from being a part of FBLA will serve her well in the future. 

When she got home, she put Gramma, Jojo and Tony to work! As FBLA Historian, she was in charge of the group's scrapbook for the year. She appreciated the creative help and the final product turned out great. We are proud that she will be FBLA Vice President for her Junior Year!!! You go girl!

In May, Tony participated in a music competition. Band students could sign up to perform a solo, duet, trio or ensemble and play in front of a judge. Here he is with his good friend Hanna. They performed a Tenor Sax & Mallet duet and received the highest rating of Superior. My guess is that judge had never heard THAT instrument combo before! (p.s. they even coordinated their outfits. wink.)

In preparation for Summer Reading, Olivia volunteered her talents to paint the windows at our local library. The theme this year is "Fizz, Boom, Read!" and she interpreted the science theme perfectly for all the little readers to enjoy.

We do love our library!!!

Memorial Day weekend we took a road trip up to MN. Little Jacky wasted no time handing Tony a lawn mower and they got right to work.

Since Olivia will be a Junior this coming school year, its time to start thinking about college. GASP! U of MN has been sending her mail quite often so we thought it would be fun to visit the campus and see what she thinks. I know our MN families would LOVE to have her up there.

Tony was happy to pose in front of one of his favorite skylines.

Future Gophers????

After tooling around the beautiful U of MN campus we experienced a first for us all. What fun it was to visit this iconic sculpture in person for the very first time!!!

In order to get a nice photo we always have to allow a goofy one at the end.

In honor of Chris' 45th birthday, we made the guys very very happy and ate at the 'Butcher and the Boar' in downtown Minneapolis. Can you say MEAT?????

Going back to the first picture of Jacky and the lawnmower...this little guy is OBSESSED with lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, chain saws....here he sits enamored with a video of a guy mowing the lawn. Gotta love that quirky little fella.

Celia couldn't believe the size of her french fries....delish!!!!

After dinner we all put on our "fat pants" and enjoyed Chris' favorite birthday treat...chocolate cake balls courtesy of Gramma Sally. YUMMO!

Our two groovy girls chillin on the deck.

Uncle Jeff, Grandpa Jocko, Chris and Livie enjoyed a WILD game of doubles tennis. If you click on this picture and enlarge it, the look on Livie's face is priceless. I'm guessing her dad just missed a shot.

Right after we returned from MN, Livie jetted off to California (again) with the Blair High School Marching Band. They enjoyed playing in the Disneyland parade and spent a full week of FUN in San Diego. The kids worked hard all year for this trip and made lifetime memories. Livie is the banner carrier on the left. :) Only 4 more years and it will be Tony's turn!

THEN....when Livie got back from California, Tony went back up to Minnesota for a Boy Scout rock climbing camp. This boy was in his element. He is a lover of rock climbing. When we visited the U of MN he was thrilled to find out they had a rock climbing facility for their ROCK CLIMBING TEAM!!! 

 While Tony was gone ALL HAIL BROKE LOOSE!!!! On Tuesday, June 3rd Blair, Nebraska was hit by a horrible hail storm.

We were feeling pretty sorry for ourselves as we had water pouring into our basement, a broken bedroom window, and giant holes in our siding...until we drove around town the next day. We are THANKFUL this was the ONLY damage we have. Other areas of town were demolished and homes have many or all of their windows boarded up and tarps on the roof. We still have a roof - albeit a dented one - and no severe damage to the interior. For this we are thankful. So thankful. 

 The neighbor kids came over and helped me rake up the backyard the day after the storm. After a few hours of hard work and a trip to the Dairy Queen, it didn't look so bad. Keep Blair in your thoughts and now also the little village of Pilger, NE that was hit by TWO TORNADOES just a week or so after our storm. June has been a hard month for eastern Nebraska.

 Four days after the storm, our annual Gateway to the West Days went on as planned. Here is Liv and one of her besties carrying the band banner. Most important job if you ask me!

And here is our little blonde Tenor Sax player in the middle school marching band. The parade was a nice respite from all the destruction and a needed break for everyone. 

Monday, June 9th was Tony's 13th birthday!!! We now are the proud parents of 2 teenagers!
We of course visited his favorite place, the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. Above is a shot of our feet on the Skyfari.

 We had a nice day together and the kids had the most fun watching the prairie dogs that have taken over the zoo grounds. There were babies everywhere!

 After our traditional dinner at "Hu Hot Mongolian Grill" Tony received a pair of hip waders for all his adventures in the creek.

 A new atlas from Gramma and Papa Thompson is sure to keep him busy all summer.

Another tradition for my kids is DQ ice cream cake for their birthdays. Not a great picture, but I love it because what you don't see is Olivia blowing out his candles before he could even take a breath. Sibling love. Happy Birthday Tony!!!!