Nebraska Summer

We've been busy in Nebraska this summer with Blake, Barbie, and our nephews. One of the first things we did was visit the Omaha Zoo. This zoo is the best one I have ever been too. Seriously. It's really cool how most of the animal enclosures are constructed to feel more open and like a natural environment. 

The giraffe area was recently renovated

The giraffes are my absolute favorite

The elephant exhibit is new to the Omaha Zoo this year

Eli found an elephant statue to ride

Cael had to try the elephant out too

The new Alaskan Adventure splash park, which is now Cael's new favorite part of the zoo

We were able to see a polar bear feeding. Oddly, it was being fed celery despite it's normal diet of seals...a seal meal is probably too gory for children's eyes. 

The brown bear was able to catch its food from a tall perch 

The tiger was roaming about hungrily. A renovation of the big cats exhibit area is next, so it will be cool to see how their space improves in the next few years. 

Of course we've had to introduce our active nephews to another sport (the best one I think) and bring them climbing. Lincoln's only climbing gym is on the University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL) campus. With it being on a college campus, getting permission to climb had all the commonly found red tape of academia. Finding free parking on campus is also impossible. Frankly, all the hoops we had to jump through were annoying. But, thankfully the route setting is quality and we've returned several times and enjoyed ourselves. We were surprised and excited to see how well Eli and Cael did with climbing. They were much improved from when we climbed with them at our wedding celebration nearly three years ago. We're excited to return to the climbing gym with them a couple more times this month. 

Two brothers climbing side by side

Three of us climbing together

Brandon giving some bouldering tips

They're still at it! 

The boys were given skateboards for Christmas, so Brandon brought his along to do some practice with them. Lincoln also has an indoor skateboard park/school, so the boys were able to get an introductory lesson one Saturday morning. Since then they've done some more practice around the neighborhood, and we've been watching cool, professional skateboard videos on youtube. 

Learning to push off and get on the skateboard

All of the open skate/skate school participants

Skateboard practice

Mastering some skillz

Though not technically skateboarding, this is a fun way to ride too

Brandon balancing on the rail

Looking cool while practicing flip tricks

The boys have also taken some golf lessons this month. We've spent some time practicing in the backyard with wiffle golf balls, and we've been at the driving range using real golf balls. Brandon, Blake, and the boys even tried out a 3-par junior golf course. 

Driving range practice

And, finally, baseball, baseball, baseball... eating, sleeping, and breathing baseball. We've been to practices and multiple games to see the boys play. And, when we're not at a practice or game, there's usually a baseball game on TV. Although, the Royals haven't been winning since Brandon and I have arrived in Lincoln, so we may be bad luck and at risk of being kicked out of the house. Truly though it's been fun to see Eli and Cael learn the sport and play baseball. 

Cael at bat with Blake doing coach pitch

Eli up to bat

Eli pitching an inning

Batting practice

Pitching practice