Nicky turns "29" ... again!

A couple of weeks ago, we went up to Nebraska for my oldest sister's 40th birthday.

Jack didn't have school that Friday, so we surprised Nicky by showing up at lunch on her big day in Omaha's Old Market.

"Cici Ninny" and Landon playing peekaboo around the doorway.

Leslie with my G-ma & G-pa.

Nicky teaching Jack the finer points of napkin folding.

This one sits upright and becomes a cupcake with a birthday candle!


He devoured every bite of his decadent dessert.

Catching up on a little reading.

Friday night, we all went to the high school football game — including Marcie and Shanna, Nicky's longtime friends who surprised her from Arizona! Beyond the cornfield lies the Bennington skyline.

Kristin braved the elements (and a Bennington High School function) so I could meet her daughter Lilly for the first time. What a cutie!

All bundled up.

My niece Schuyler's dance team performed at halftime.

On Saturday, my brother and his family arrived from San Diego to surprise Nicky, too! This was Nathan's first attempt at raking leaves.

Geronimo!

Laurie shows 'em how it's done.

We all hung out during the day on Saturday, to watch the Nebraska game on TV.

Landon's such a big Husker fan that he bleeds red. Honest.

Back outside to explore some more.

Some fungus we found in Mom's windbreak.

Brothers.






Right before I was attacked.



Jack gives playing in the leaves two thumbs up.



The bird's-eye view.






Great grandparents.


We quickly had to figure out a way for us to change clothes, run some last-minute errands, get the party room ready and get Nicky to Legends for the SURPRISE PARTY!


A boy and his corndog.

Angie and Laurie.

Amy's gonna kill me for this.

Party animal!

A solid family shot. Right before the liquid family shot.

Nicky and her girls.

Definitely past the boys' bedtime.

Marv and Mom.


Jon and Sean, the other two groomsmen at Lance & Felicia's wedding. How did I ever get to be Best Man over them?

Courtney and Laurie.

Toward the end of the evening, a great fraternity brother of mine from college came to see us. So much fun...

On Sunday, Leslie and I took Jack and Nathan to my first-cousins' pumpkin farm.













Laurie arrived as we were navigating the corn maze.

Ever see a "Corn Cannon" before?

Pull the trigger and launch your corn cob toward the three hay bale targets!

On a hayrack ride...

past the ol' feedlot...

and up to the pumpkin patch!

Finding the perfect ones ... and then explaining to Nathan that such a hefty pumpkin would exceed the airline's suitcase weight limit on his flight home.

Saying bye-bye to Grandma. We love spending time with family and making such awesome memories!