tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2422720400826788722024-03-14T03:16:25.319-07:00The Cornstalker's JournalThis is a personal, occasionally-updated account of things going on in my life here in Nebraska.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.comBlogger394125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-1272894090208545302022-02-09T09:11:00.002-08:002022-02-17T09:54:53.669-08:00A wedding in Cedar RapidsI had a fun little trip down to Cedar Rapids this weekend for Shannon's wedding — my first cousin once removed. She was also the flower girl at my <a title="13 years ago…" href="https://live.staticflickr.com/3251/2714734443_ebc2fae622.jpg" rel="lightbox">own wedding</a>, so it was very cool to be able to be there when she tied the knot.
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<div class="picpair"><a title="IMG_9874" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/51363656093/"><img class="flickr3x2" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363656093_399733158b_n.jpg" alt="IMG_9874" width="300" height="200" /></a><a title="IMG_9898" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/51363431831/"><img class="flickr3x2" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363431831_b5b98a6e5a_n.jpg" alt="IMG_9898" width="300" height="200" /></a></div>
I drove on down bright and early Friday morning, grabbing some <a title="It's a Midwestern thing." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362682377_2d8164b595.jpg" rel="lightbox">breakfast pizza</a> at Casey's and listening to some <a title="Sorting myself out, Bucko." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362682487_5d576391c2.jpg" rel="lightbox">Jordan Peterson</a> over the four-hour drive. I did a little sightseeing on the way, dropping by Adair to see the Smiley Face <a title="Hi, Smiley!" href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364452315_8cd836e05d.jpg" rel="lightbox">water tower</a>, the <a title="Freedom ain't free." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364171594_aa78352cfc.jpg" rel="lightbox">Freedom Rock</a> further up the road, and then getting a selfie with some <a title="I'm a Cornstalker, dammit!" href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364449590_5eb40d56af.jpg" rel="lightbox">cornstalks</a>.
Then I took a detour to <a title="Fifth Street looking West." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364447635_7057b3d4ea.jpg" rel="lightbox">Tama</a> to see the Lincoln Highway <a title="A piece of American history!" href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364447165_d51dcb8cf4.jpg" rel="lightbox">bridge</a>. I've been a fan of the Lincoln Highway for a while now — it's as much a part of American history as the Oregon Trail and Route 66, and it just happens to run both through Omaha and past the <a title="More on this place in a moment." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364161914_429d3a4e40.jpg" rel="lightbox">church</a> where my parents got <a title="Way back in 1975." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/7111/6880817842_03fc3fccfd.jpg" rel="lightbox">married</a>.
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<div class="picpair"><a title="IMG_9908" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/51364445250/"><img class="flickr3x2" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364445250_1db0d51cae_n.jpg" alt="IMG_9908" width="300" height="200" /></a><a title="IMG_9921" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/51362672992/"><img class="flickr3x2" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362672992_1453f1f464_n.jpg" alt="IMG_9921" width="300" height="200" /></a></div>
Then in Cedar Rapids, I met up with my folks at the <a title="We'd pass by every Sunday — when they were closed." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362676077_dc1146168f.jpg" rel="lightbox">Flying Weenie</a> for lunch, grabbing a half-pound <a title="Well, that's enormous." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363651923_67457d97c7.jpg" rel="lightbox">hot dog</a> that kept me going most of the day.
Then afterward, we drove up Mt. Vernon Road to visit <a title="Many decades of history with our family." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364162344_b5390bcb3c.jpg" rel="lightbox">Valley View Church</a> (which now called "CrossLife"). This place has a long history with my family — it's where my parents were married, where my grandma and grandpa had their funerals, and where I was baptized with my dad back in 2003. It was also our go-to place on family visits, such as my cousin Laura's wedding or family reunions or just our church on Sunday when we visited for a holiday. It may serve as a spot for a future family reunion. We'll see.
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<div class="picpair"><a title="IMG_9971" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/51364124204/"><img class="flickr3x2" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364124204_1e4d728cb2_n.jpg" alt="IMG_9971" width="300" height="200" /></a><a title="2021-08-06 19.11.43" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/51364157864/"><img class="flickr3x2" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364157864_36a30f0288_n.jpg" alt="2021-08-06 19.11.43" width="300" height="200" /></a></div>
I checked in to the hotel and got in a nice walk on the <a title="Stretching my legs after a long trip." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362669507_b81af7e020.jpg" rel="lightbox">nature trail</a> next door before getting a shower and changing for the wedding. My <a title="Sweet little suite." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363646643_189ac76227.jpg" rel="lightbox">hotel</a> in Coralville was just six minutes away from the venue in Tiffin, which was convenient.
I saw plenty of familiar <a title="Hello!" href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363423086_1d6b4aef30.jpg" rel="lightbox">faces</a> there, including the <a title="Geho Family Photo." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363643868_e1373af7d4.jpg" rel="lightbox">four Geho girls</a> and a <a title="Priscilla and her little girl." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363644053_ed2066218d.jpg" rel="lightbox">bunch</a> of their <a title="Caleb had a couple kids while I wasn't around." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362660732_4a067275a6.jpg" rel="lightbox">kids</a> I hadn't seen in at least seven years — many of whom have kids of their own now. My <a title="Guess what kind of rice I brought to throw?" href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363390041_d5e4a32cff.jpg" rel="lightbox">Uncle Ben</a> did the opening prayer and the groom's father, who is a Pastor, did the ceremony. I naturally snapped <a title="Sneaking a photo with my telephoto lens." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362637137_713f95dae7.jpg" rel="lightbox">photos</a> all the while, finding me in a few convenient <a title="Oh hey. This works." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364436355_ac01d51926.jpg" rel="lightbox">spots</a> for a nice shot while trying not to get in the way of the actual photographers.
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<div class="picpair"><a title="IMG_0078" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/51364433305/"><img class="flickr3x2" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364433305_7a8054836a_n.jpg" alt="IMG_0078" width="300" height="200" /></a><a title="IMG_0205" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/51363626323/"><img class="flickr3x2" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363626323_502869053e_n.jpg" alt="IMG_0205" width="300" height="200" /></a></div>
We had some dessert and dancing inside afterward, as well as some Brazilian <a title="Saboroso." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363642953_e152c76b00.jpg" rel="lightbox">cheese bread</a> (Pão de Queijo). We had all the typical wedding elements, from the cake-cutting to the dances with mom and <a title="D'aaaaw." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363413026_22a1e565cc.jpg" rel="lightbox">dad</a>. There were some very tasty <a title="It was hard to have just one." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364417455_b7296682e7.jpg" rel="lightbox">cupcakes</a> in lieu of the actual cake (which seemed to be cut just for the <a title="They ate one bite. That was it." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364433305_7a8054836a.jpg" rel="lightbox">photo op</a>), and the sugar seemed to be enough to get everyone nice and <a title="Happy birthday, kids." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363622238_43945ed409.jpg" rel="lightbox">goofy</a> during some group dances later. No alcohol, of course, as the bride and groom, who coincidentally shared a birthday the following day (day, month, and year) were only turning 20.
I snapped plenty of photos, of course, and also managed to catch up with a few family members I hadn't seen in aged — and also <a title="Selfie time!" href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362644732_aba3127c68.jpg" rel="lightbox">embarrassing myself</a> trying to keep track of <a title="I think she was eight when I saw her last." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363414541_2b3884334b.jpg" rel="lightbox">family members</a> who'd grown up when I wasn't looking.
<!-- Rest of the weekend --><div class="picpair"><a title="IMG_0345" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/51363615988/"><img class="flickr3x2" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363615988_35ac15cebb_n.jpg" alt="IMG_0345" width="300" height="200" /></a><a title="2021-08-08 11.39.42-1" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/51366356928/"><img class="flickr3x2" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51366356928_bd15e2d6ef_n.jpg" alt="2021-08-08 11.39.42-1" width="300" height="200" /></a></div>
I got a quick <a title="That's a creative use of a set of warmers." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51362644357_8df23007e5.jpg" rel="lightbox">breakfast</a> at the hotel the next morning and gassed up before driving nearly four hours straight home. Aaron had his first tee-ball game that morning, which was nearly rained out by a passing <a title="Dark clouds over Omaha." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364413720_5d7d6ef038.jpg" rel="lightbox">thunderstorm</a>. It was very fun to see him in uniform swinging a <a title="My little slugger." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51364411170_867b6d0081.jpg" rel="lightbox">bat</a> and throwing <a title="He's a natural." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51363615988_35ac15cebb.jpg" rel="lightbox">balls</a> with a bunch of other kids. It was a bit casual and unorganized, but I was a proud papa to see my boy having fun.
Then on Sunday, the church <a title="With our kids up front." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51366136731_76323f4f7e.jpg" rel="lightbox">prayed</a> over the students as they prepared to go back to school next week. Afterward, we went down to Papillion to grab some <a title="Everyone say, "ice cream!"" href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51366133956_e7103396f9.jpg" rel="lightbox">ice cream</a> at <a title="Having a sample." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51366355408_288f2ca422.jpg" rel="lightbox">Graley's</a> together and then check out some <a title="I explained how a drive-in used to work." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51366871264_a609fd4682.jpg" rel="lightbox">classic cars</a> at the car show around the corner. Aaron got to sit in a rusted out "<a title="Aaron in the driver's seat." href="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51367145735_6c5830079b.jpg" rel="lightbox">rat rod</a>," and the kids got to see some shiny old cars from before even their grandparents were born.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-21091922601881271672017-06-25T08:30:00.001-07:002022-02-09T09:10:58.600-08:00A new home for my old blogI have a big announcement, loyal blog readers: my old blog has a new home.<br />
<br />
Back at the end of 2006, I started my little blog here on Blogspot as an attempt to get the attention of a certain lady named Vivian. As a result, I wound up chronicling our entire relationship together — from when we just started dating all the way through the birth of our daughter Hannah. After nearly seven years of using Google's blog service, I've decided to roll up my sleeves and move my dear old blog to a new home on my own, personal website. I hope to continue updating it for you to read all the way to "'til death do us part."<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mattandvivian.com/">Come on over and check it out!</a></h2>
Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-19693000592639452782016-12-31T13:00:00.000-08:002017-06-29T13:04:07.628-07:002016: Year in Review<div class="picgrid" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/24637075042/" title="IMG_0925b"><img alt="IMG_0925b" height="75" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1657/24637075042_f95fa99b0e_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/25048525553/" title="img_1185_24837423726_o"><img alt="img_1185_24837423726_o" height="75" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1534/25048525553_3b5a616c95_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/25478756893/" title="IMG_9585"><img alt="IMG_9585" height="75" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1534/25478756893_a51650c6a9_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/26354684695/" title="IMG_9922"><img alt="IMG_9922" height="75" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1686/26354684695_d115d4d41f_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/26700200004/" title="IMG_1875"><img alt="IMG_1875" height="75" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7657/26700200004_2a3f3a9f68_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/27379103084/" title="P1200005"><img alt="P1200005" height="75" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7376/27379103084_61ac2c27db_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/28071228970/" title="IMG_9998"><img alt="IMG_9998" height="75" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8764/28071228970_82b5c5103b_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/28679475653/" title="IMG_1771"><img alt="IMG_1771" height="75" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8301/28679475653_22f1d699b5_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/29526098321/" title="IMG_2702"><img alt="IMG_2702" height="75" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8568/29526098321_046c875152_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/30396856072/" title="IMG_4652"><img alt="IMG_4652" height="75" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8649/30396856072_a58a88ce61_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/31073678311/" title="IMG_5686"><img alt="IMG_5686" height="75" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5820/31073678311_bc4721a514_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/31764578081/" title="IMG_6954"><img alt="IMG_6954" height="75" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/256/31764578081_cd8e6d5264_s.jpg" width="75" /></a></div>
<div class="picgrid-caption" style="text-align: center;">
2016 has been a surprising, fun-filled year!<br />
Here are some pictures of the things that happened.</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>In January,</strong> we saw many different politicians in the run up to the Iowa Caucus, including <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1546/24166281276_63c59d47f7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Everybody got enough coffee?">Ted Cruz</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1555/24198712192_91b41bd566.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Is she old enough to vote yet?">John Kasich</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1666/23636093444_9486b97eca.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="But I won the caucus last time, guys!">Rick Santorum</a>, and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1465/24176311716_c4a7d8ba02.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I know how Pop Tarts work!">Hillary Clinton</a>. <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1610/24001941993_2f2f160aaf.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah wants to be President, just not right now.">Carly Fiorina</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1462/24603191782_3698d9b39e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Literally running for office.">Rand Paul</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1657/24637075042_f95fa99b0e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Just hanging with our buddy, Marco.">Marco Rubio</a>, and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1621/24716819436_affb0d8819.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Chris Christie wants at least ONE delegate.">Chris Christie</a>, and even <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1630/24342346586_da41e9e1d3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Who's been messing with my Teleprompter?">Barack Obama</a> and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1623/24398338066_5961a8c3b8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="You just have to have the right cigar…">Bill Clinton</a>. Our kids had fun <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1555/24030297112_ea2f902135.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron's first experience with snow.">playing in the snow</a> and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1712/23916317389_f1ced95d2f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Quality times.">playing with trains</a> at my parents' house. Hannah got some <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1622/24115125984_c48e4e6d42.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My little girl's so proud.">badges</a> at <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1644/25048514943_1c6640694c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah and her little friends.">Rainbows</a>, and we hosted our third <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1497/24132332340_58fa7086d1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The gang's all here.">hors d'oeuvre party</a>. There was also <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1672/24530278512_af559cc31c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="And this was just the first helping.">sushi</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In February,</strong> we had a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1539/24759327326_c433711764.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I took the day off to play Hungry Hungry Hippos.">Snow Day</a> and took the kids <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1534/25048525553_3b5a616c95.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Wheee!">sledding</a>. We watched the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1681/24769911812_50d1c48684.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Superbowl means nachos.">Superbowl</a> with the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1514/24887806725_f9529bc90d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron wants a front-row seat.">family</a>, had a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1636/24358046684_15804662f8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Bah bah bah!">fish fry</a> with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1460/24352567103_aceea9db70.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="They're a family of six now.">the Mills</a>, and welcomed their newest family member, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1720/24979446105_4c962dd5bb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="You know what causes this, right?">Gabriel</a>. Twin Valley Church got a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1692/25356751725_12cc28b6a1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Blessing the Folken Family.">new pastor</a> and helped him <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1609/24750181600_8dfc5b2be3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="No, you guys take the washer/dryer.">move in</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1628/25174746006_f831531a77.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Celebrating 38 years at the Crab Shack!">Jack and Donna</a> had an anniversary, and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1506/25019308556_9cbeb6b2e2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Chocolate dinner and wine-tasting.">Vivian and I</a> celebrated <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1492/25582611621_53f4ab90e5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Heart-shaped cracker!">Valentine's Day</a> at James Arthur Vineyards in Lincoln. The kids went to Lincoln to get <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1682/24473451783_1d157eab53.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="They're having a ball!">Lost in Fun</a> and have <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1583/25100284015_983af5fd3b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Let's eat an entire Big Sal's pizza!">pizza</a>, went to the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1451/25582625111_08d2f9f5c9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Lightsabers to fend off Scary Clowns.">circus</a>, and visited <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1642/25100275265_a92fdc6f3b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pentzer Park in Lincoln.">park</a> after <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1671/25031590040_370bb18613.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Swinging at the Brown Park, AKA Dreamland Park in Council Bluffs.">park</a> after <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1497/25268012192_7c6ed7eed3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Dancing in Stinson Park.">park</a>. I also learned how to lose at <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1693/25069499480_c1b02078e4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Oh! Cards are worth POINTS?">Rummy</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In March,</strong> we said goodbye to our sweet cockatiel, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1569/25760846806_32033cda3d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Farewell, Flappy Bird.">Flappy</a>. We had another <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1619/25397545852_20f0aaa19b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hope you're hungry!">fish fry</a> with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1567/25220437380_29444aef4e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="All our regular fish friars!">two</a> <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1694/25516066225_101769b816.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The Friendship Program table.">tables</a> of <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1605/25148563849_2f2d2a320a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Latecomers Phil and Jen.">friends</a>, had a reunion with the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1682/25676841422_8d24b6400b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Reunion at Chick-Fil-A!">Rietjens</a>, and I got to meet economist <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1623/25534643990_7baaaee194.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Blinded by the Supply Side Economics!">Stephen Moore</a>. Vivian and I had <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1678/25444465843_9df27efe74.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Big dinner at the kids' table.">dinner</a> with the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1644/26021095386_c9ca915ca4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pastor Ryan grills some dogs.">Folkens</a>, visited a park with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1541/25972200656_025427b245.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah and Sammy have a ride on a grasshopper.">Lexi's</a> <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1551/25972244056_2540115877.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron and August take a turn.">kids</a>, danced to a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1678/25442308474_290a7010d7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Billy Bacon's Rockabilly Band.">live band</a> at <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1482/25444542623_c405920b04.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Swing, Vivi!">JNO</a>, and ate <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1595/26033807756_cbb13caa4c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Sam's Club Pizza, anyone?">pizza</a> for <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1708/25967206872_cc5a332bc4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron loves his Uncle Jonny.">Uncle Jonny's</a> birthday. We also celebrated Resurrection Sunday with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1560/25564090230_32b28379de.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Decorating eggs with Hannah at work.">egg-dyeing</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1610/25476446694_76d82c4e24.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A full table at the Johnson House.">Easter dinner</a>, and new <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1597/25988804702_2e4cedf11a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="We look like a nice, normal family, don't we?">Easter clothes</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In April,</strong> Vivian and I participated in a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1700/26354998365_deea1eb35e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I'm "king" of the jungle. Get it?">literary murder mystery</a> and went to see <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1699/26065563863_4756dc5c39.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's there — inside my mind.">Phantom of the Opera</a>. Hannah and I had a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1575/26655788271_fbb63cd2cb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Yay, photobooth!">daddy/daughter</a> dance, and we brought <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1656/26025283003_3e4fa02758.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Our guest for the weekend.">Pig Pig</a> home for the weekend. We also surprised <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1455/26761509285_db4dc7cb9b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Toga! Toga! Toga!">Dennis</a> for his 40th birthday.</li>
<li><strong>In May,</strong> we celebrated birthdays with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1471/26736176406_fd7944dbeb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A birthday a Soaring Wings!">Kody</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7613/27075743452_9a360580dc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="With a plate of birthday pupusas.">Jen</a>, and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7025/26708811464_5104696196.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="With a glass of 16-year Aberdour.">Jessica</a>. We visited <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7247/26793857911_a4351d5d09.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Checking out the flowers.">Lauritzen Gardens</a> with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7125/26827523886_8b4efed56a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Mom's clearly happy about this.">my parents</a> and the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7080/26588526520_02cffc503f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="We're just happy to be sitting down.">Mills</a>, attended the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7088/26881224995_b63848590e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The balloons were clearly the best part.">Cinco de Mayo parade</a>, and ate some <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7421/26299294294_6e9c04b3a3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Bacon egg and cheese pie. Delicious!">quiche</a> and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7066/26837145531_13ec36c579.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Smoked ribs courtesy of Grandpa.">ribs</a> on Mother's Day Weekend. <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7646/27068855516_ee5d103e56.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Wham, Bam, Franklin Graham.">Franklin Graham</a> had a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7338/26496536494_41c8a9c8b8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Can you hear us now, Ernie?">prayer rally</a> on the steps of the Capitol Building in Lincoln. We also saw the return of the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7596/27032362240_8d0d4fb97e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Their first performance in four ½ years!">Prairie Cats</a> at JNO (with a cameo by <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7324/27273983306_925257e6d2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Who let this guy in?">Tom</a> <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7657/26700200004_2a3f3a9f68.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My two most famous Facebook friends.">Becka</a>) and we celebrated Good Times with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7320/26736758293_a5a6f91a53.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Kool on the guitar.">Kool & the Gang</a> at <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7448/27343184635_fdcdf923fc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A balmy 85 degrees.">Loessfest</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In June,</strong> we went to the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7452/27392572012_64558871af.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The newly revamped Sokol Park.">drive-in</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7496/26884691233_4377eb44c2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="About time, you guys!">Tamra and Ryan</a> got married, and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7298/27518494986_50de8d8f03.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A Great Aunt and Uncle to be sure.">Aunt Nancy and Uncle Andy</a> came to visit. We took the kids to a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7616/27316003280_4665cd1952.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="So here's how we do the Chicken Dance.">Jitterbugs Mom Prom</a>, we visited the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7345/27619338382_ba24cc46b4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Last chance for dumplings.">Bohemian Cafe</a> one last time, and I celebrated <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7232/27751094206_25db98a458.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cubano sandwiches and California Salad.">Father's Day</a>. We saw <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7063/27632837900_1ea7619857.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Isn't he lovely?">Taming of the Shrew</a> at <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7187/27299062884_1e34512f23.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Deep Woods Off & Merlot!">Shakespeare on the Green</a>. Aaron also turned <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7734/27513534172_37b497e4ca.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="All aboard the Birthday Train!">two</a> and took his first dip in a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7376/27379103084_61ac2c27db.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Natural-born swimmer!">pool</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In July,</strong> we celebrated Independence Day with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7359/27758095690_628062ab63.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="His ear drum's about to cut footloose.">Kenny Loggins</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7346/27792662720_b2cb0fc3e5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Those Nebraskans will never know what hit them!">Paper Lanterns</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7232/27996136621_7b17f7acdf.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Marco's versus Domino's. Take your pick!">Pizza</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7354/27481654783_efb8d6c30b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="She's a wizard!">Fireworks</a>, and a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7447/28093850535_11eaa52976.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Dancing in the parade again!">Parade</a>. <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8707/28198078646_88d437e2fc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="And by we, I mean these fine folks.">We</a> saw <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8761/28154202601_c660225579.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="WTF, dagger?!">Macbeth</a> (along with the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7574/28154101061_7ec8f21455.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="'ello, Guv'nah!">Governor</a>), and I rubbed elbows with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7035/28181959082_e2edbd4337.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My crank turned slowly AWAY from Frank.">Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank</a> and some guys from <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8631/28231846455_bb907fda93.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="So, who are these people in our neighborhood?">Sesame Street</a> at O Comic Con. Some of <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7655/27737557154_c4ed08796b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="“Uncle” Mary and Cousin Brenda.">Vivian's family</a> came to celebrate Donna's <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8772/28071121010_1a3b58bc14.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Our newest septuagenarian.">70th birthday</a> in <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8671/28095579640_f3f3580298.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="And technically Iowa.">Omaha</a>, and Vivian and I had celebrated our <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7741/28443958965_a23883c2f9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Steak and lobster!">eighth wedding anniversary</a> at a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8228/28161048780_c479e0f94b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Yes, bed AND breakfast.">B&B</a> in the country. <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7755/28246795050_66299ec615.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="So proud of her blue ribbon.">Hannah</a> also won another <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8227/28498599116_4b1c7c6b9b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's "forest cake."">cake award</a>, and I caught a glimpse of <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8764/28070927154_8a128a3cdb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jim Bochnicek on the drums.">Jimmy B's</a> last performance at the <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8745/28688013695_930fc02a25.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A dance back in time.">Sokol</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In August,</strong> we spent some time with our friends <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8496/29279681345_e1f387e0cd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="She's ridiculous, delicious, stunning, fresh, awkward, and juicy">Jessica</a> and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8053/29171392472_c906586300.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="She got just one pathetic card.">Kate</a> (and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8036/28589370280_86c63e1fb2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Two Hannahs are just too much!">Kate's kids</a>). <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7647/28936230776_9e2b53f790.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="They got married at the fire station.">Ben and Venche</a> (finally) got married, <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8474/29304744685_bffb6432d2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="We'll miss story time with Mrs. B at the library.">Mrs. B</a> retired, and Vivian shot some <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8101/28538104683_3acd02a905.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Next stop: Starling City.">arrows</a>. We also had a family night at <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8549/29257527085_e5eda168b0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Swing dancing: fun for the whole family.">JNO</a>, took the kids to <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8301/28679475653_22f1d699b5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Enjoy the lake before the summer's over!">Lake Louisville</a>, and I had a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8074/29245635421_7bcf271981.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Lunch at Sergeant Peffer's (no relation).">pizza-riffic birthday</a>. Also <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8286/28243986494_73aa6a0804.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Let's make America great before I go all Patton on you guys!">Mike Pence</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In September,</strong> Vivian and I both celebrated birthdays in our fun, <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8497/28864605324_db328cb439.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Telestrations, Pizza, and Friends. What could be better?">respective</a> <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8087/29849603661_2510ab99ab.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Tiny lobsters at Jazz!">ways</a>. We had ribs and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8407/29439894215_d763cd00f9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Give me s'more of that!">s'mores</a> with my folks for Labor Day, took the kids to <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8010/29200028010_1e871dc51c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Definitely worth the price of admission.">Lauritzen Gardens</a> to see flowers in the fall, and I bought a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8368/29389487132_2fe9d9179b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A new Trek 720 was cheaper on Craigslist than fixing my current bike.">new bike</a>. <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8394/29155339393_36e0900147.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Riding the ponies at Gifford Farm.">Gifford Farm</a> had a fall festival, Nebraska City had an <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8149/29461040430_fa5068e87b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Picking his first apples.">Applejack Festival</a>, and we got to watch some balloons fly at <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8553/29606937325_b3d527cf4e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It looks like my elementary school textbook.">Ditmar's Orchard</a>. The Jitterbugs had Cowtown at the <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8094/29316997550_09954571de.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A beautiful old dance hall.">Sokol</a> with a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7495/29510682782_ee25c251e7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Show them how it's done, Vivi!">corn-eating contest</a> and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8173/29621227365_856f4cc0f8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Everyone's favorite local swing band!">Prairie Cats</a> back at the Eagles Lodge. <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8136/29903403602_9c47c3c47e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="How lucky can one guy be?">Johnny Boyd</a> and his band paid a visit at the end of the month, and I also brushed shoulders with <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8256/29883897142_e8050e5c20.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I was referring to her cat, OK? Calm down.">Donald Trump</a>, <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8476/29244416310_20f9f2ea4c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aw, it's pre-graffiti'd">Jill Stein</a>, <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8452/29385603763_4c2d044963.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Brad Ashford, meet your replacement.">Don Bacon</a>, and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8143/29914290481_c84b00b103.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="America's Mayor comes to Council Bluffs.">Rudy Giuliani</a> as the 2016 election refused to end.</li>
<li><strong>In October,</strong> we had game nights with <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8653/30228424665_efa205e7c2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Apparently, we're playing "Baseball."">Kate</a> and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5493/30113596232_4d03dcab44.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Nice wolfie…">Tamra</a> and a campfire with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5023/30228232975_c1b912d226.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="No hayrack this year? Bummer.">Twin Valley Church</a>. Welcome school had a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7772/30213835536_eb5f4453cc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Best friends at preschool.">Daddy's Night</a> and we took the kids to visit <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5477/30257581956_dc28a1a3f2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Fall fun for the whole family!">Vala's</a>. The kids went to <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8655/29528125414_97cebfa683.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Happy together at Costco!">Costco</a> and the park and saw the beauty of autumn along the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5627/30118208830_166d7388bf.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The changing colors of autumn.">Keystone Trail</a> and in the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5530/30617192346_b23351d04c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A lovely, warm October morning!">Fontenelle Forest</a>. We had a picnic with <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8618/29745456064_d0a1592211.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A vote for Bacon is a vote against Pork!">Don Bacon</a> and a rally with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5492/29970581413_14ef53c956.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Signing autographs for anyone lucky enough to get to the front.">Mike Pence</a>. My <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5449/30021909334_a613a03e77.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Playing with Aaron.">dad</a> also made <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5525/30021906604_9baa6f3af7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Last cookout of the season.">brats</a>, and both the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5450/30614148821_a68208085d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Scooby-Doo and a Cowgirl!">kids</a> and the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5714/30653231545_5d3641d53a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The battle of the century!">grown-ups</a> got to celebrate Halloween (with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5816/30665445086_d1a8760a6f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="…and a nice chianti. Pfft pfft pfft pfft.">fava beans</a>).</li>
<li><strong>In November,</strong> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/ComplicatedBusiness-624x351.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Sorry to keep you waiting — complicated business.">Donald Trump</a> was elected President, and we celebrated the end of the election with free food at <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5448/30800693381_68f8c5c971.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="We can feel patriotic AND constipated.">Fazoli's</a>. It was (still) warm enough for a trip to a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5612/30772967782_3330907e65.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's head over heels about it.">park</a> or <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5324/30272648483_030830e9a3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="WHEE!">two</a> (with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5476/30919494681_242a98af6f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's tin-can pumpkin bread.">pumpkin bread</a>), and Hannah and Aaron had <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5563/30853484026_fb0784da45.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Post-election leaf pile!">leafy fun</a> with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5492/30754227831_5f14e99d7f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Running to the pile.">friends.</a> We had another <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5805/30841842215_40d5e1b0c2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Playing High Noon Saloon.">game night at Kate's</a>, birthdays for <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5661/31148240485_d397fdd06e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Celebrate your birthday with pork tenderloin.">Phil</a> and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5659/30855450252_e67d14dcbc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Deena celebrated turning fifty with overpriced Mexican food.">Deena</a>, and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5491/31073689511_488d92d803.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hooray for five!">Hannah</a> turned five with a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5781/31152090566_7b8f113654.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Such little ladies.">tea party</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5820/31073678311_bc4721a514.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's special guest.">Rapunzel</a>, and a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5831/30366626464_7d87654a1f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Made exactly to Hannah's specifications.">Christmas Castle Cake</a>. There was also a trip to the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5323/30379295464_b296b9276c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Round and round we go…">Children's Museum</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5511/31226091865_0c71f7e2ec.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Dinner with the whole family.">Thanksgiving</a> and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5596/31101121092_27520b656c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Please Santa, let the Huskers beat Iowa.">Christmas</a> at Union Station, and a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5800/30919981040_2114d8083f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron gets his tongue ready for that flagpole.">Winter Wonderland</a> in <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5470/30919946270_d3f2c68f55.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Small towns in Nebraska often feel like the old west.">Papillion</a> (with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5696/30480249153_125d46e405.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Almost worth the wait in line.">chili</a>).</li>
<li><b>In December, </b>we saw <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5797/31015757620_fe9ae4ff97.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Visiting the Man in Red.">Santa</a> and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5687/31240821072_02995b11b1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I mean the "Snow Queen."">Elsa</a> at the Children's Museum. Vivian and I had <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5710/31283641852_778cae6f2f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="We ate our fill…and dim sum.">dim sum</a> with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5801/31428543215_f579f16bc6.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Food always goes better with friends.">friends</a>, saw <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/57/30713213333_0d3d01745a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A life in words and pictures.">Tom and Jeff</a> at the <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/231/31484367556_bcb1e688f4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The back side of Jun Kaneko.">Kaneko</a>, and made a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/149/30724846594_4a1827f5fe.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Happy birthday, mom and dad.">breakfast casserole</a> for my <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/230/30756630853_c289379928.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Breakfast with the family.">parents' birthdays</a>. We had Christmas Parties with <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/470/31589064192_793c2f781d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Christmas Dinner at Jenny and Kody's place.">friends</a> and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/261/31565972115_acd9de520a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Christmas Party with the Pope Paul VI Institute.">co-workers</a>, had <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/432/30894391804_01fd018e72.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Singing Christmas Carols upstairs.">carols</a> and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/605/31698194876_855d157972.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah dishes up for herself.">soup</a> at church, and we drove around to look at <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5601/31019394743_5039c37157.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Clark W. Griswold would be proud.">Christmas lights</a>. Vivian and I celebrated ten years since our <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/490/31764568141_c78fa19c41.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Our tenth First Date at Himalayas.">First Date</a>. Then, we had a lovely <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/589/31733694132_d0b0ea6e00.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Children's Christmas Eve service at the First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue">Christmas Eve</a> and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/521/31040787294_3fde73a91a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Christmas Dinner with the whole family.">Day</a> — followed shortly by New Year's Eve celebrations at our <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/478/31902387391_d18654ca66.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Noon year's eve at the library!">local library</a> and at <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/733/31209329853_c61e94f505.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Counting down to 2017 (in the Eastern time zones).">Twin Valley Church</a>.</li>
</ul>
What new adventures will 2017 bring? We'll just have to wait and see!Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-18281239818295920332016-11-27T15:00:00.000-08:002016-11-27T15:00:20.202-08:00Ten years of traditionsIt was a whole decade ago, back in 2006, that I first started a humble little blog over on blogspot.com. This was back before the age of social media, so telling friends and family what you were up to was done via blog post back then rather than via status updates. As such, I'd found many of the new friends I'd made swing dancing had blogs of their own, including a lady named Vivian I had been trying to get to know better. So, I signed up to have a blog of my own, and I've been updating it regularly ever since, documenting my entire relationship with Vivian in the process.
So, to commemorate these past ten years, here is a list of my top ten favorite traditions that have come about in my life since I started this little blog. Enjoy!
<br />
<ol class="color-list" reversed="">
<li><b><a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/applejack/">The Applejack Festival</a>:</b> It seems the only time we get down to Nebraska City is when thousands of other people are jamming the roads to watch the parade or buy caramel apples around town during the Applejack Festival. We always start our visit by getting pancakes from the Pancake Man down at the fire house. Then we might check out the used book sale at the library before taking in a parade, sampling apple wine down at the Arbor Day Farm, or picking apples up at Kimmel Orchard. Hannah and Aaron have gone every year of their lives (so far).</li>
<li><b><a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/valas/">Vala's Pumpkin Patch</a>: </b>The pumpkin patch / amusement park out in Gretna is a tradition for anyone with kids or who are kids at heart. The jumping pillows, go carts, the mechanical dragon, and acres and acres of play areas are a draw for us and lots of other people each year. The price of admission goes up every year, but I have a <a href="http://mattandvivian.com/2015/10/doing-valas-right-and-at-a-discount/" title="Doing Vala’s Right (and at a discount)">whole blog entry</a> to help you save money.</li>
<li><b><a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/shakespeare-on-the-green/">Shakespeare on the Green</a>:</b> Nebraska Shakespeare puts on a comedy and tragedy at Elmwood Park every year for free (with donations), so we usually make a day of it coming early to lay down a blanket and then hang out on the green with our friends, a bunch of snacks, and a bottle or two of wine.</li>
<li><b><a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/fish-fries/">Friday Fish Fries during Lent</a>:</b> I have to credit Eric/Onion-Boy with introducing me to the uniquely Midwestern (and Catholic) tradition of standing in line for hours drinking beer and then gorging on fried fish, all inside a church. St. John Vianney has been our Fishy Friday destination for years, not just for the assortment of beige, carb-laden food, but also for the live music, raffles, bake sales, and more. Good times never seemed so good. (So good! So good!)</li>
<li><b><a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/parties/cheese-party/">The Cheese Party</a> / <a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/parties/hors-doeuvres-party/">Hors D'oeuvres Party</a>:</b> We hold one of these every year, alternating between the two themes. Vivian and I love food, and having some kind of party / competition with our friends has been a great way to break through the gloomy months of winter, post-Christmas.</li>
<li><b><a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/union-station/">Christmas at Union Station</a>:</b> Kicking off the holidays wouldn't be complete without a trip to Union Station. Vivian and I go with the River City Confectioners to help visitors decorate cookies while Hannah and Aaron see Santa. Then we'll join the crowd as everyone sings along with a Christmas carol or two before watching the Mayor of Omaha light up the tree.</li>
<li><b>Concerts at <a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/concerts/memorial-park/">Memorial Park</a> & <a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/concerts/loessfest/">Loessfest</a>:</b> every year, a couple well-known bands come to give free concerts in the metro area, and I always look forward to seeing who they'll be. We've seen Kenny Loggins, Kool & the Gang, <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/277/19067015700_22af578798.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="She and Rock & Roll are now just very good friends.">Joan Jett</a>, <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/335/19068546809_b58b0d84d7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Actually, it's just two tickets to Omaha, Nebraska.">Eddie Money</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7708/17868893280_0db7e1052d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Playing on a Saturday in the Park.">Chicago</a>, <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2920/14271207264_d169f70388.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The death of Cory Wells makes it a two dog night.">Three Dog Night</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3797/14271659595_eba6dfcc34.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Actually, we have next weekend off.">Loverboy</a>, Pat Benatar, <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2924/14340560758_6d0e4ac70c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hey now, I'm a Rock Star.">Smash Mouth</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5489/14340520408_a4f1dab77b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Follow me, everything is mediocre.">Uncle Cracker</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3888/14547281983_39efd06c6e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Take me back to 1999…">Sugar Ray</a>, <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4142/4764384346_789e0b1c07.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Styx, live in Memorial park!">Styx</a>, <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4079/4763769115_9a90119415.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="This was as close as I felt like getting.">Foreigner</a>, and even the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3826/8841611974_e7162b32da.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="No matter what anybody says, John Stamos was the star of the show.">Beach Boys</a> with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5444/8840904747_2eea83e1ee.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="And yes, he played "Forever" from Full House.">John Stamos</a>, and we usually bring the kids along for the ride.</li>
<li><b><a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/anniversaries/sushi/">The Sushi Anniversary</a>:</b> When Vivian and I made our dating relationship "official," it was immediately after a trip to Sakura Bana for sushi with friends on January 26, 2007. Every year, we mark the occasion by having sushi someplace. It's usually in Omaha, but we once celebrated at the Rio's seafood buffet in Las Vegas.</li>
<li><b><a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/anniversaries/first-date-anniversaries/">First Date Anniversary</a>:</b> Vivian and I went to the (now closed) French Cafe for our first official date (before we made it "official") back on Dec. 23, 2006. Every year, we mark the occasion with dinner — often in the Old Market — and then a brief walk in the bitter cold to see the Christmas lights at the Gene Leahy Mall. We also buy some Christmas fudge down at the Old Market Candy Shoppe.</li>
<li><b><a href="http://mattandvivian.com/category/anniversaries/wedding-anniversary/">Wedding Anniversary</a> and <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=cornstalker&tags=Anniversary%20Comic&view_all=1">Comic</a>:</b> Every year on July 19, Vivian and I have a tradition of celebrating our anniversary by going someplace (usually with a swimming pool or a water park). Sometimes it's a trip to Kansas City, a road trip to Mount Rushmore and back, or just a drive across the river to Des Monies. We finish the day with a lobster dinner to commemorate our honeymoon in Bar Harbor, Maine, and I present Vivian with a comic illustration of our year together.</li>
</ol>
Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-44677376069461239252015-12-31T13:00:00.000-08:002017-06-29T13:06:53.226-07:002015: Year in Review<div class="picgrid" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/15689252064" title="IMG_4041 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4041" height="75" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7554/15689252064_c2fe0b1f90_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/15917842563" title="IMG_4640 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4640" height="75" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/15917842563_6990bc2312_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/16959984562" title="IMG_5892 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5892" height="75" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7651/16959984562_6ed79f939e_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/17090185116" title="IMG_6299 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6299" height="75" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8696/17090185116_e706d3c327_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/18184344849" title="IMG_0049 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0049" height="75" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8849/18184344849_c5a6562d46_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/18257202223/" title="IMG_0902"><img alt="IMG_0902" height="75" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5534/18257202223_ec5d6d3694_s.jpg" width="75" /></a></div>
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<br />
2015 was another very good year!<br />
Here are some of the fun things we did to pass the time.</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>In January,</strong> we attended a belated <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/15567510214_fc7482ea5b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ringing in a gluten-free New Year.">New Year's Party</a> and watched some <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/16173438351_39dab6a9b8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I don't care if they lost. Roll Tide!">football</a> with my dad. <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7540/16311660225_9237a5aaca.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="He's our favorite quinquagenarian.">Hugh turned 50</a>, and I saw <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7546/16055340538_06c4bc7e75.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Who needs a radio when you can go see him in person?">Tom Becka</a> live at the Pizza Shoppe. The weather was also unseasonably warm, which meant lots of quality time at the <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/16108358860_a5fa5b6950.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Nothing like a visit to the park in January.">park</a>. Also <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8650/16190376658_f60fc2fb60.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Now THAT'S a sushi date!">sushi</a>. And <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/16428136885_ef8f719e3c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah bakes her first batch of cookies.">cookies</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In February,</strong> we got a <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8605/16427184742_ec58ae3842.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Walking in a Winter Wonderland.">big snowfall</a> and watched the <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7301/16427182502_20a9d83aab.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Enjoying Left Shark's 15 seconds of fame.">Super Bowl</a> with the family. Hannah made a <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8566/16288853350_5da3e0d2a8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Do you wanna build a … nevermind.">snowman</a>, and we hosted our fourth <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/16288568968_53193f04a0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cheese, glorious cheese!">Cheese</a> (and <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8668/16290022979_62b9ec411e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Take a cab home. No, not a Cabernet.">wine</a>) <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8630/16475296052_d173035fd6.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Biggest turnout ever!">Party</a>. For <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7419/16335796549_021c3cfbe3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My card for Vivian.">Valentine's Day</a>, we had dinner at <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/16506004952_9c5054c811.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Fettucine Alfredo at Malara's.">Malara's</a> with <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/16507022865_0a038ef2a8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="TVC Valentine's Dinner!">Twin Valley Church</a> and had a <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/16536310651_37bc526b39.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="We'll start with the soup …">five-course dinner</a> with <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/15917807033_49ab846968.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="And there goes another bottle.">wine-pairings</a> at <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8564/16352106427_2714b84634.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="They sold out, but only used one room.">James Arthur Vineyard</a>. I also saw <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8593/16624527316_13e9302ef8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Don't look into the light!">Jessica Hische</a> at the <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8577/16443176517_2900fe45ca.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hipster Central, everyone.">Waiting Room</a> and had watched MST3K with the <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8648/16701018465_d2dc5f1ef9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Quality time with the granddaughter.">folks</a> over <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8596/16699988572_18508b4385.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Want some eggs, Hannah?">breakfast</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In March,</strong> we celebrated my parents' <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8709/16341220253_54d3533a19.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Havin' some sooooooooooul food.">40th anniversary</a> at <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7651/16959984562_6ed79f939e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="With a visit from Big Mama herself!">Big Mama's Kitchen</a> (and then at our house for a <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8686/16773856730_377d1fc826.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="40 years via PowerPoint.">slideshow</a>). The <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8572/16100749863_835e831f05.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Rita Sanders reads Dr. Seuss.">Mayor of Bellevue</a> read to our kids at the library and we attended <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7592/16878029921_2098fe8cd6.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Nothing beats the fried fish at Holy Name.">fish fries</a> at <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8645/16118882923_58c12e4666.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Introducing the Mills to the joys of fish frying.">St. John Vianney</a> and <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7651/16691356908_80460785bc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Let's do this!">Holy Name</a> (<a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8656/16738817885_7637c4e641.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Where does the line even begin?!">with</a> and <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/16691359938_131b647b90.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="There was no line, so we had to bring our own.">without lines</a>). We had a <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8728/16795081712_2d6dd0ebfb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="First family picnic on the grass!">picnic in the park</a> and Vivian <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/16795090312_e0397b1581.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="So your baby almost fell out the window?">got to be on TV</a>. We also took the kids to Lincoln for a day-trip for <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7648/16840333345_949df1148b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah and Aaron get quality time in the Bounce House.">Lost in Fun</a> and <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7619/16654214089_36ff622d6f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Introducing Hannah to daddy's favorite pizza joint.">Big Sal's Pizza</a>, and we also celebrated Uncle Jonny's birthday with <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8695/16863291736_0d28830928.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Classic homemade pizza.">homemade pizza</a> and <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8691/16888207761_5db07d925e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Rocking out to Intellivision.">Intellivision</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In April,</strong> Hannah <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7711/16842020017_75b33c7283.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="And may the eggs be ever in your favor.">hunted</a> for <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7637/16861916280_daa150486b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's happy little eggs!">eggs</a> for <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7619/17049570445_d09cd0006b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Chow time!">Easter</a>, and she got to see some <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8709/17276297646_8ec8dd872f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="They hatched!">baby robins</a> at grandma and grandpa's house. Hannah and Aaron got to enjoy <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8696/17090185116_e706d3c327.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron thinks Hannah is so funny!">tulips</a>, <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7703/17251094946_f95c7d00b4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron smells soemthing funny!">lilacs</a>, and <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7624/17194370475_53c33e0da2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's raining blossoms!">other blossoms</a>. Vivian and I saw <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7645/17194387595_7f93d58df3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="No really, he's up there somewhere.">Brian Regan</a> and had <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8785/17168491606_935c4dd1d9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Lunch at the Pizza Shoppe.">pizza</a> on a date day, and then we made <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7695/16656803463_6affe62c51.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ta da!">dumplings</a> for <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8717/17069585617_d1b620a323.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jen shows Lisa how it's done.">Jen's birthday</a>. We also had the <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8685/17089325210_86d764c823.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Burgertime!">Mills</a> over and <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8794/17262492096_ff1cc27f84.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Flying high!">flew a kite</a> with <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7711/17102219379_5c1e1ce752.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's so happy to have them here!">grandma and grandpa</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In May,</strong> we saw the <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8777/17368004801_3090aa608a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah needs to see the horses.">Cinco de Mayo parade</a>, went to <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8761/17180377888_c432d6a72f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Everybody dance!">Lindy in the Park</a>, and toured the <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8848/17493275775_25a9fd7ee9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Lovely day for a walk in the park.">Lauritzen Gardens</a> with our <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/17448152626_d6c72e2188.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="All our little friends!">friends</a>. <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7703/17192088770_dbd2befbbc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Sherry's not quick enough to hide from the camera.">Sherry</a> and <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8698/17192087190_12c4f7b429.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="And I was up to HERE in it!">Bob</a> came to visit, Hannah <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7680/17258412464_a263bfd5bc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="This chocolate pudding tastes funny.">made mud</a> at Mudpies, and we celebrated <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8884/17323661490_bf88d70cda.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Flowers and food! What more could a mom want?">Mother's Day</a> with <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/17510899321_4c132e24e8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Our three moms.">our three moms</a> (and <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7710/17323950510_08f6e4d908.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Almost the same size, really.">handprints</a>). I also got to see <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/18056613025_7546497333.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="James Pankow is glad this concert's almost done.">Chicago</a> (and <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/501/18183413020_42f82b1b79.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="AKA "Recaptured"">Fake Journey</a>) at <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/321/18185030419_cf7033db64.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Lovely day at the park.">Loessfest</a>. And finally, <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/330/17748236434_34b7d5b7b7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cracking up over hairstyles, I think.">Jenny</a> and <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7793/18182963028_1c91027bc2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Kody and his mom.">Kody</a> <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/348/18184539559_99ae7ddc4d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The wedding par-tay.">got married</a> up in <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/368/18370885485_17084d6d94.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The geese were unable to find any actual falls.">Iowa Falls</a>. Also: <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/17611486038_56fb0d5e95.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My kids!">fun in a box</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In June,</strong> <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/489/18784717512_517a2f1eac.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="First birthday cake!">Aaron</a> turned one year old and got to celebrate with a <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/18257204853_849d288d88.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Splish, splash!">water table</a> and a birthday picnic in the park with his <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/442/18601769808_d533a7567b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Everybody on the swing!">friends</a>. We saw <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/19039592195_ca83c21f30.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ganymede and I are the best of friends.">As You Like It</a> and <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/370/19254485355_a0d1036863.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Let's play a rousing game of Reversi!">Othello</a> with our <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/437/19013488646_b5b3302ef5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I think we've been framed.">goofy friends</a> at <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/417/18853509009_26a0b7cc10.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Nice crowd tonight!">Shakespeare on the Green</a> and then saw <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/549/19068560049_9b5f5da6ae.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Somebody needs to take me home tonight.">Eddie Money</a> and <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/296/19254599935_21bfc4b620.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Turns out she only likes rock and roll as a friend.">Joan Jett</a> at <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/338/19228714386_589e48a6e2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Put down your blanket and get ready to rock!">Memorial Park</a> . I visited <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/306/19042956151_2d62ee6e31.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Playing Pandemic with AIGA members.">Spielbound</a> , we saw Big Hero 6 at the <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/526/18763146066_f3280ace6c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hope you brought your umbrella.">Sumtur</a> , and we took the kids to a splash park and the <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/414/18311458138_81d73c6fa1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Lunchtime facepainting!">Children's Museum</a> over lunch. Hannah also saw <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/467/19254385145_a5b6e77f1d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Can you sign my umbrella?">Mary Poppins</a> at the <a href="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/417/19068292029_7e9ecfa773.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A lovely old theater from the 20s.">Rose</a> and both kids got to ride in their <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8897/18579911216_535273a87d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Come on, let's go visit grandma.">new wagon</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In July,</strong> we celebrated the Fourth with a cookout at our <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/547/19267284240_af3e9c5c02.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Swish!">house</a>, a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/523/18834026913_867ef3b46c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Clowns, politicians, and drill teams. And shriners.">parade</a>, and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/339/19454575065_bdab139f57.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Happy birthday, America!">Patriotic Cheesecake</a> and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3887/19448296042_3ba5b5a2ca.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Two grandpas bring in the ribs.">ribs</a> at my <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/275/19428503126_63d726beea.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="You can see fireworks in every direction.">parents' house</a>. Jack took us on a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/277/19877207596_2fb1ee5cf3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="SO. STINKING. HOT.">riverboat ride</a> for <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/520/19280801904_0c9cc434ba.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Happy sweltering birthday!">Donna's birthday</a>, <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/479/19908582881_5568f88319.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Smile!">Anne and Brandon</a> <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/377/19903469115_2ed4278a90.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Penn Gillette officiates.">got married</a>, and Vivian and I celebrated our anniversary with <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/464/19849067296_6e24ce6fca.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I don't know. What's Amato with you?">Amato's</a>, a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1618/25582338541_de6eec9e37.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Waterfall!">water park</a>, and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/497/19254418533_ea48a81449.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Time for lobster, of course!">Joe's Crab Shack</a>. We went on a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/307/20016986666_dc7a310415.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hang onto your shirts, everybody!">camping trip</a> without the kids, I lost my <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/542/20017147286_b5026435a5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My last known picture of this shirt.">shirt</a>, and Hannah <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1529/25044530784_8cfb890e34.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's first tomato!">picked her first tomato</a>. I also got to meet <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3740/19628647478_d7bdf3c431.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The Governor said, "I'll hang in for at least one debate. Maybe two."">Scott Walker</a> and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/415/19780877055_552043da68.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="As seen on Fox News.">Marco Rubio</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In August,</strong> we got to meet <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/542/19822678774_9eb53b1983.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Shaking a gifted hand right there.">Dr. Ben Carson</a> at a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/549/19824380713_6ccb424d4e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron's first ear of corn!">big</a> <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1706/25648898166_3b3d5b98de.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Face painting!">Family</a> <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1508/25048326073_c6345423fe.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Mary Rice Hopkins and Gringo.">Festival</a> in Council Bluffs (also <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/599/20496146188_dd1f520f47.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Perry says, "I can only take one more week of this crap …"">Rick Perry</a> and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5638/20073172143_c07173c43d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Governor of Louisiana.">Bobby Jindal</a>). We visited <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1720/25048343023_1d4b81290e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Can't sit down on the berm until the sun sets.">Werner Park</a> with a few of our <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5627/19918483084_1dd99cfe4e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Anybody actually watching the game?">friends</a>, had one last <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1644/25675109645_1f6c0083f1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My favorite little swing dancer.">Lindy in the Park</a>, and saw <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5741/20212144343_fd90d42689.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Best little friends.">Cinderella</a> at the <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/705/20647009089_2c842c13b1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Sumtur Selfie!">Sumtur</a>. I also celebrated my <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5674/20373562434_06c5ee5a45.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I wish we could blow out the candle together.">birthday</a> with the <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/570/20808431748_6f6b45f8be.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My birthday jam!">Jitterbugs</a>, friends at <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/663/20373468544_481ebabded.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="We took them for a … nevermind.">Spin pizza</a>, and a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/755/20374486993_dab2819a9d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Today and Yesterday at Stinson Park.">Beatles tribute band</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In September,</strong> Hannah started <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1519/25675120675_676ca36a5b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's first day at school!">preschool</a>, and we had ribs with my folks for <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/749/20613634893_0dc4f35727.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Labor Day dinner.">Labor Day</a>. We went <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5664/20747770394_7668aa4716.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="This is a fun place to sleep!">camping with our kids</a> and the <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/714/21370536935_5994de7b52.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A little chilly this evening.">Mills family</a>, and then we got <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5704/21560400466_385856ce2c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pancakes!">pancakes</a> and did <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/633/21595500901_bb5991fcf7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pipe ckleaner dinosaur!">dinosaur things</a> at the <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/569/21575355962_23b0213a61.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ironically, we got no apples.">Applejack Festival</a>. We visited <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/565/21397981420_e9016df1a2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hold onto something when it starts up.">Gifford Farm</a>, saw some <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/721/21781956852_c72caa024d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron pets a cow.">cows</a> at the CenturyLink Center, and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/696/21170936284_7fd9dbd199.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's award-winning cake.">Hannah</a> and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/757/21803118221_80b78cab63.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Donna's chandelier cake.">Grammy</a> both entered a cake show (and Hannah won <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5687/21781550682_eeb93e0145.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Mommy and daddy are SO PROUD.">first prize</a>). Vivian also had a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/771/21793259505_c18a5a6d4f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Smiley face cake!">birthday</a> involving <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/689/21767418186_fca99003a5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Show me that smile again!">Kirk Cameron</a>, the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5765/21793086705_fb776b351d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Birthday cheesecake!">Cheesecake Factory</a>, a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1670/25649014936_0d26c03700.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="See you again in a couple decades.">Supermoon Lunar Eclipse</a>, and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/643/21335443443_dbd3e4a177.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="First time here with all the grandparents.">Outback Steakhouse</a> (and eventually <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/763/21966370551_c6d3b2a9d8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="OK, this was in October. Shut up.">JNO</a>).</li>
<li><strong>In October,</strong> Hannah got her <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5619/21944535402_d707617a3e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Complete with Elsa.">Big Girl Bed</a>, and we visited two Pumpkin Patches: <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/616/21840910320_d0d44ff1d4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cheaper on Wednesdays and much less crowded.">Vala's</a> and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1697/25048470313_1efe609a10.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's not so sure this was worth it.">Bloom Where You're Planted</a>. We had a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/757/21667776064_b4bd3a10f3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="One last ride with our friends from TVC.">Hayrack Ride</a> at the Hall's and went to Jitterbugs both for a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/663/22071077892_4959cb22d2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="With the Little Harper Big Band.">Reunion Dance</a> and a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/597/22658475415_2ba9025574.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Why Pumpkins? Why not?">Halloween Dance</a> (<a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5739/22632381176_593ae5b0be.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Mad Dog Tannen and a Flux Capacitor. All right.">in costume</a>). Jenny had a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/594/22086309500_a966768457.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Biggest crowd ever!">Back to the Future Party</a> to celebrate <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5770/22261639032_35658125dd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Great Scott! It's almost 4:29 pm!">Marty McFly's arrival</a>. We also had <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/643/22274611275_a7a9d820d2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pooh and Anna.">trick-or-treating</a> <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/635/22470551210_7314669d10.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="First Halloween as a foursome!">as a family</a> <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5732/22437769632_3a684d0f23.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Where's Peter Parker? I need a picture of this.">at the Mall</a>, at <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/566/22274533575_32ecb0c8a4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Candy from strangers? Seriously?">Gifford Farm</a>, and on <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5744/21829907883_5a9c5574fb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My little pumpkins!">our own street</a>, of course. Also <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/779/22589453176_29ae98d7bf.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="He had to close three bridges to get here on time.">Chris Christie</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In November,</strong> we said goodbye to the <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/571/22264098204_20d73ec335.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Blessings on Pastor Drew.">Rietjens</a> with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5794/22509315860_00dc55ca01.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Final day of burgers after church.">burgers</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5639/22401666364_03781d7a1b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Some goodbye "Chikin" with the Rietjens.">Chick-Fil-A</a>, and a <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/692/22264117134_ffe91f7281.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A baptism on his last day as Pastor.">baptism</a>. <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5774/22566993044_535c948477.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Phil has "bar food" for his birthday.">Phil</a> and <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5693/22603087353_1f991e4c41.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Make a wish, Hannah!">Hannah</a> both had birthdays, and Presidential candidates <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5716/22535945878_e065c3ed80.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Literally standing with Rand.">Rand Paul</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5651/22600066039_521c8471b0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I told her all about my horrible DeskJet.">Carly Fiorina</a>, and <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/599/22863439047_b8abf07892.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My first presidential selfie.">Marco Rubio</a> all came to town. We also had <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5736/23255982231_ac2f360ece.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Chow time!">Thanksgiving</a> and kicked off the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5717/23278171811_48b600323a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah does not trust this guy.">Christmas Season</a> at <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/683/22733649963_0763416ecd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I see Waldo!">Union Station</a> (with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5702/23360804975_7645535425.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah is unimpressed.">Mayor Jean Stothert</a>).</li>
<li><strong>In December,</strong> <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5776/23551389945_8158e3062a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Dividing up the ribs with Vivian.">dad</a> made <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5821/23551387825_5f617f3d6e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Recipe by America's Test Kitchen">ribs</a> for a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5801/22924279863_2042ce868a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Blowing out candles with mom.">joint birthday party</a> with mom. Vivian and I went to the <a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/569/23627928992_2b84dcbbef.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="At the lovely Sheraton.">Institute Christmas Party</a> and then we took the kids out for <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5660/23697293741_c9b73a773d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Using our Groupon at Matsu Sushi.">sushi</a>. I saw presidential candidates <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5767/23093856239_a8fe14536a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Answering questions with Scott Voorhees.">Mike Huckabee</a>, <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1584/23811409482_1d1bc26a1e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="EEK! It's the Koch Brothers!">Bernie Sanders</a>, and even <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1487/23431174293_bcbd6f2abd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I gotta get outta here before I Make America Late Again.">Donald Trump</a>. We also had a full-on <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5757/23362177454_5411cc039e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's pretty when you don't have to drive in it.">white Christmas</a> with a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5808/23882155612_ba9bdd5a39.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Do you wanna build a snowman?">snowman</a> and two <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1450/23882178982_4e8fc57488.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Roast beef at our house Christmas Eve.">Christmas</a> <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1709/23694857800_e876bf0fbe.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pizza with my folks on Christmas Night.">dinners,</a> and we rang in the New Year with <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1715/24116321865_b83622c830.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Wine, cheese, and theology. Good times. Shut up, Jack.">Fondue, per tradition.</a></li>
</ul>
Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-77357032883223138962014-12-31T23:59:00.000-08:002017-06-29T13:01:45.085-07:002014 Wrap-Up<div class="picgrid">
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/12040061805" title="IMG_0540 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0540" height="75" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3746/12040061805_183fc8d88a_q.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/12420153693" title="IMG_0837 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0837" height="75" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/12420153693_f24b0ba6a0_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/12894362815" title="IMG_1394 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1394" height="75" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/12894362815_4806337e64_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/13943503463" title="IMG_2318 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2318" height="75" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/13943503463_2d1fa12294_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/14109680655" title="IMG_3077 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3077" height="75" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/14109680655_ee2561626c_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/14386939116" title="IMG_4486 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4486" height="75" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/14386939116_930c819e02_s.jpg" width="75" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/14518291217" title="IMG_6377 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6377" height="75" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5558/14518291217_3ba1cfe03e_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/14926875847" title="IMG_7840b by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7840b" height="75" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/14926875847_d835de0a49_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/15387562685" title="P1190044 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="P1190044" height="75" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3852/15387562685_b73ba8a68c_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/15076077844/" title="IMG_1176"><img alt="IMG_1176" height="75" src="https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5601/15076077844_7b4a49af4f_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/15799807422" title="IMG_1840 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1840" height="75" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8402/15799807422_36a7a2f1c4_s.jpg" width="75" /></a><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/15386575794" title="IMG_2512 by Matt Johnson, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2512" height="75" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/15386575794_165b56ba2d_s.jpg" width="75" /></a></div>
<div class="picgrid-caption">
That does it for 2014! It was quite a year to say the least.
Here are some pictures of the things that happened!</div>
<ul>
<li><b>In January,</b> we rang in the New Year with <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/11700778033_6f397543c1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ringing in the New Year!">black-eyed peas</a> and had dinner at the <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3782/11790769724_0eafaf9d0b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Meat is on the menu, of course.">Kuemichels'</a> new house. He had an <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/12040323163_f14c5dcbd3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Which will the winner be?">hors d'eourves party</a>, went on a <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/12165870416_d42bc15e47.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="At Matsu Sushi!">sushi date</a>, and Hannah played with her friends <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/12040822126_407ca39cf5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="That's enough leaves, Rachel.">outside</a>.</li>
<li><b>In February,</b> we got a membership at the <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/12261254775_3567b648d3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="There are science things happening!">Children's Museum</a>, we had a <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2883/12420594094_a3ab1de0b7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Does this ice cream float your boat?">Nifty-Fifties Party</a> at church, and we had some <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/12514157595_b4a7a7a2c1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A date on Valentine's Eve!">meatloaf</a> and <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/12531996254_c8f6422f7f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Thank you God, Amen!">ribs</a> for <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/12531665303_f566b95688.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cheeeeeeeeeese!">Valentine's Day</a>. Hannah also made her first <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2892/12514278493_6c3685da31.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Do you wanna build a snowman?">snowman</a> and got to go to the <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/12845343234_494c9053e3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Just clowning around.">circus</a>. My parents also moved back to Nebraska after more than a decade in North Carolina.</li>
<li><b>In March,</b> we had a <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2811/12894951044_f1c735794b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aw! He or she is so cute!">pink and blue</a> <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/12894458015_fc7d820405.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Donna tries explaining things.">party</a> and learned we'll be having a <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/12894362815_4806337e64.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I see blue!">boy</a> in June! We went to <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2073/13049363313_fc1fc153c0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A rare photo of us dancing at JNO!">Jitterbugs' Night Out</a> (<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/13343036154_3d63e9b38f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Dan busts a move.">twice</a>), dropped in on one of <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3152/13049308273_c6a6e39cfc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="There are games that are happening.">Kaleb's Game Nights</a>, attended a <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2834/13159652414_68eccc2a8c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Something fishy's going on here.">fish fry</a>, a <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/13243683935_8683384ea5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Irish Lindy Hop.">St. Patrick's Party</a>, and wished <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/13342582605_cb03ecbbac.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Get all sugared up!">Little Matthew</a> Happy Birthday. I went with Hannah to <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7116/13415934103_616b1e9aca.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Walking along the nature trail.">mud pies</a>, took Vivian out to <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3763/13416155864_e391ba17ca.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="As seen on TV">Big Mama's Kitchen</a>, and also brought Hannah to the Benson Library to meet <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7123/13526341193_82e1ccda93.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The Big Red Dog.">Clifford</a> (among <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/13526338593_a785c0eea8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="You make my heart sing.">other</a> <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/13526347863_d97c7d175b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I am Curious (George).">people</a>). Mom and dad also provided free babysitting until they bought a <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2831/13202862565_dd7345338e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Just a block away.">house</a>, and then we took them to <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/13510473995_80b654cc87.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Celebratory dinner at the last of the Caniglia restaurants.">Venice Inn</a> to celebrate.</li>
<li><b>In April,</b> we ended lent with pasta at <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/13791132044_7578092594.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="That's a way to put an eye out.">St. Pius X</a>, we grilled out with <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5196/13760027423_a4ab322c28.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="First grill-out of the year.">Jack and Donna</a>, had a <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5167/13854332985_7e22c7092a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Sledding in April!">freak snow</a>, and took Hannah to her first <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3816/13943503463_2d1fa12294.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="High five, Easter Bunny!">Easter Egg Hunt</a>. We had Easter dinner with <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/13937187561_aa8a3cc5fc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Full house at Easter">all four grandparents</a> for the first time and went to <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5541/14021715283_08a839bf43.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Nothing picks up business like going out of business.">Venice Inn</a> a couple times more to say goodbye. <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/13943440883_b6e54f2547.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hold the line, boys!">Gifford Farm</a> got threatened by a fire while <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7108/13724454454_0cce261b93.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Do they have little smokies?">Keystone <s>Drugs</s> Homecare</a> actually burned down. I also met <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7254/14001683125_c399fa359b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="On the left there.">Yaron Brook</a> from the Ayn Rand Institute while <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/14007267271_7343b8d50f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Meet August, who arrived in April. Four months early.">the Mills had another baby</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In May</strong>, we celebrated <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7453/14121206173_9a8df82ed2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Some heavily-armed dancers here.">Cinco de Mayo</a> at the tail end of the parade and then flew a <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/14109680655_ee2561626c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Up to the highest height.">kite</a> with <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/14086586516_8de0bddab8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Grandpa's excited.">grandpa</a>, Hannah painted a cup for <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/14282972603_202d074dae.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A belated Mother's Day dinner.">Mother's Day</a> and played in some <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2918/14241800675_2ceed3fd73.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah makes mud footprints.">mud</a>. We visited the <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/13962755357_492b740e4f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Checking out the flowers.">Lauritzen Gardens</a> with grandpa and grandma Johnson, raided <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2925/14000850050_37ee6a403c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Let's get some discounted apples!">Wohlner's</a> before they closed, attended JNO and <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14238766773_68f5ffcfe2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A very pregnant Vivian dances with Dan Wondra.">Lindy in the Park</a>, saw <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/14076170469_ca4cc152eb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's scared of another winter.">Frozen</a> at the <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/14239711396_652e941f9c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A record-breaking crowd!">Sumtur</a>, saw a <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5592/14218473654_98a525b22e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Sinners and Saints (and a few stray kids)">concert</a> with our friends at Stinson Park and then saw <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/14269573152_4329ccf10e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Mike Reno, everybody.">Loverboy</a>, <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/14271643585_778ba6edbb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I give up. Who?">The Guess Who</a>, and <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2920/14271207264_d169f70388.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Three Dog Night">Three Dog Night</a> at <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5315/14271657985_ceee99d89e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="About 50k people showed up.">Loessfest</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In June</strong>, Hannah helped make a <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3907/14348659515_a4cdf29bb5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Careful with the pepperoni!">pizza</a> and got to play in some <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/14356164046_df35ffb61c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ready to smash!">sand</a>. We also got to attend <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/14344746390_8e99b87b95.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's the "compleat" works of Shakespeare.">Shakespeare on the Green</a> and see <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5594/14525651954_a74158a4f4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="That's how I feel when I hear "Follow Me" for the fifth time in one day.">Uncle Kracker</a>, <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2929/14527124775_9c147fd357.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I liked this version better than the Monkees'.">Smash Mouth</a>, <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3924/14527139225_e26085bc82.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Someday, when my life has passed me by, I'll lay around and wonder why this stupid song was a hit.">Sugar Ray</a>, and <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/14340748337_69f26a5afb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Blow that harmonica!">Blues Traveler</a> at <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3843/14340538550_414822e864.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's a packed house. Or park.">Memorial Park</a>. Best of all, of course, we welcomed our son <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/14431489614_b201c8560b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron measures up next to Jenny Doll.">Aaron Edward</a> into the world.</li>
<li><strong>In July</strong>, we celebrated the Fourth with <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/14573425031_ddfdcc7bf9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Phil the Grill Master.">burgers</a> and <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3879/14596875573_61f450eb75.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="You don't think the neighbors will mind, do you?">fireworks</a> at our house, a <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2909/14390101460_13570a8ee9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Watching for shriners, clowns, and politicians.">parade</a>, and <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3914/14390116818_7069ea6456.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Independence Day dinner.">barbecue ribs</a> with the <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5237/14573388651_2342dfc309.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Why buy our own fireworks when we can watch the neighbors' for free?">family</a>. We went to <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3912/14589882811_1b03ca3fb2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah experiences a lake for the first time.">Louisville Lake</a> with <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5077/14570127066_1ef423e833.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Come on in, the water's frigid!">Libby and friends</a> and then went to <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/14518119919_329a9774d9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Picturesque Lincoln, Nebraska.">Lincoln</a> to celebrate our anniversary with <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3902/14518049050_42ed5be4d7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The Sunken Gardens">flowers</a>, <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5558/14518291217_3ba1cfe03e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hey, Vivian! Wanna see my giant snake?">a snake</a>, and <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3850/14724652663_7de5551f3c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="What's the story, morning glory?">selfies</a>. <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/14576687548_222627cf64.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's birthday card">Eric</a> also had a hot, hot birthday, and Vivian and I went to the <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2934/14818831633_8691b40391.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I can see my seats from here.">ballpark</a> for <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3899/14612315069_81eaf5cb48.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cost us six cents.">hot dogs</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In August,</strong> <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14794262086_ece44dd745.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The big three-oh, right?">Tamra</a> had a <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/14630719927_49d18627d9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Uh oh. It's a lode-bearing plank.">giant Jenga</a> birthday, we went to the Sumtur <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5554/14767126998_df7a4b3bc3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Everything is awesome!">twice</a> <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3865/15026795462_8d022ac384.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Getting a crossbones tattoo for some reason.">more</a>, we had a <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/14796406887_c89e277c1e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="So many new babies!">baby shower</a> at work, and we celebrated my birthday in Lincoln with <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3880/15024084071_21cd7000f3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Big combo from Big Sal's.">pizza</a>, <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5583/15004137526_bfc809de47.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Wine-tasting at James Arthur Vineyards">wine-tasting</a>, and <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3918/15117209475_5fe99d5d39.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Chicago-style hot dog at the Flying Wienie.">hot dogs</a>. We also went to Cedar Rapids for a <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/14926875847_d835de0a49.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Quite a crowd we had.">big family reunion</a> celebrating my <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3861/15086864636_1bdd14f88b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Fifty years and counting.">Uncle Ben and Aunt Carol's</a> 50th wedding anniversary.</li>
<li><strong>In September,</strong> my folks took us to <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3838/14947622719_149aab2f2e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Time for steak!">Johnny's Cafe</a> for a belated birthday. Vivian and I spent a day at <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3893/14976691250_66e6135e7a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="That's one lazy river.">Fun Plex</a>, <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/15243062082_1b119cf147.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Mark Gungor breaks out of his Nothing Box.">Laughed Our Way to a Better Marriage™</a>, and took Grammy and Hannah to see a <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/15160354811_f8cbc53b02.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Light 'em up!">balloon glow</a>. We also attended the <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5596/15130166848_2ae9d8b7a4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Is this enough apples yet, dad?">Applejack Festival</a>, had a <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3915/15056836337_a1865cdf66.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Featuring Ben's scariest boat ride ever.">birthday by the lake</a> with <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5568/15243048092_efae7bf9fa.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron's happy to meet you!">Venche</a>, visited <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3864/15130196837_d97784e50c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="How long is this hayrack ride, anyway?">Gifford Farm</a>, and dropped by the Eagle's Lodge <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/15215838651_eb88c2e6bd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="We don't have to pay for this part of Cowtown, right?">once</a> or <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2950/15387584225_8f28f1b454.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Eighth birthday jam in a row!">twice</a>. We even did some <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3875/15384393201_33965ffd2f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="WIne and cheese, of course!">painting</a> and <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3917/15201084407_fbf5f78c38.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="This is what at tent looks like, Hannah.">camping</a> for Vivian's birthday.</li>
<li><strong>In October,</strong> we visited the <a href="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2946/15454902475_b6ab1b5eff.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Our one and only visit to the Market this year.">Farmer's Market</a>, went on a <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3934/15268243718_1be0bfb1da.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's very happy to make it back before it started raining.">hayrack ride</a>, and visited <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5608/15342265157_6c892e6b94.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Don't cut off Hannah's head!">Vala's with our friends.</a> We went to Cedar Rapids for a <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3946/14963779274_7e85627706.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah happily dancing at the reception.">family wedding</a> with some fall fun in the <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5610/15398990840_64123e947d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Beautiful leaves, beautiful family!">Amana Colonies</a> afterward. We also participated in every aspect of <a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5601/15076077844_7b4a49af4f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Professor Wagstaff and a Crime Scene.">Halloween</a>, from <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7563/15460954398_6d057aed5e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Enough with the pictures, make with the candy!">Trunk-or-Treat at the Y</a>, to Trick-or-Treating in our <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7501/15694127061_0c1991b619.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Mooching off the neighbors, of course.">neighborhood</a> (with <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/15697636882_b05a633c2c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Belles riding bareback.">horses</a>), and dropping by <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7493/15672312846_698b11e363.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I think Dan is supposed to be Al Jolson.">Jitterbugs Night Out</a>. We also had Aaron <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5600/15614738316_bd893d2c39.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Dedication for two kids now!">dedicated at our church</a> with a bunch of <a href="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3939/15635768371_e988dd970b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Any excuse to go to Village Inn.">family and friends in attendance</a>.</li>
<li><strong>In November,</strong> we got a big, new dining room table to make it easier to celebrate <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/15716761487_e1f5772a6a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's a full table this year!">Thanksgiving</a>. We got to visit the <a href="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5610/15751745601_9d4268a1c4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah and her favorite orangutan.">Zoo</a> for free with Hannah, played a bit in a <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8402/15799807422_36a7a2f1c4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Let it snow, let it snow!">light dusting of snow</a>, and celebrated Hannah's <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7547/15687593637_b65246a843.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Happy third birthday, Hannah!">third birthday</a>. We also went see <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8600/15715027368_58c8a3394a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="First visit with Santa with both kids!">Santa</a> and the <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8577/15901864692_26378052bb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Light it up!">tree-lighting</a> at the Durham, per tradition.</li>
<li><strong>In December,</strong> we celebrated <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7522/16089888656_98754434af.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Frozen pizzas for dinner!">Christmas</a> with <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8676/15928390410_83d49fff61.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Grandparenting it up">all four grandparents</a> (and Uncle Jonny) for the very first time. We hosted a <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7561/15888867389_9688c304a0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ho ho ho!">smashing party</a> with with <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7583/16074939005_2fc0137889.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The gift of Nerf.">gifts</a> and <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7475/16074229152_c23f25ba52.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Not sure if that's how this is played.">games</a> at our house, checked out some <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7483/15386575794_165b56ba2d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I wanna look at THOSE.">Christmas Lights</a>, Aaron looked cute in his <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/15821419818_b43f1c779a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Yep, I'm adorable.">new blue suit</a>, and we had the traditional <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/16113971321_be8f98715d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="This little light of mine …">Christmas Eve service</a> at <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8668/16090098986_f042571e4e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Silent night all around">Twin Valley Church</a>. We also took my folks to the Children's museum and rang in the new year at the library and at our <a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8568/15989278499_3e44192542.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah and her little friends ring in the New Year.">house</a> with a <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/15989261759_5d44048d65.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Nothing like molten gruyere to ring in the New Year!">Cheese Fondue</a> (and <a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/16173438351_39dab6a9b8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I don't care if the Tide got rolled. We still had fun.">football</a>).</li>
</ul>
Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-40764545958549283652013-12-31T23:45:00.000-08:002014-03-04T19:49:47.932-08:002013 in review<div align="center">
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<p style="text-align:center;margin-top:1em">Happy New Year, everyone! 2013 was an exciting year for the Johnson Family.<br />
Let's look back at some of the highlights.</p>
<ul>
<li><b>In January,</b> Hannah met the <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8368799264_137d174f70.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hanging out with Bekah and her kids.">Duweling family</a> in Lincoln and said goodbye to <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8375238386_fd0a45f6dd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah brings her warmth and happiness wherever it's needed.">Lisa's mom</a>. We also hosted our bi-annual <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/8399738540_b8dd1ef7f1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Mark receives his cheesy award.">cheese party</a> and had our annual <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8095/8423133117_840c1ee5c3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="All aboard the sushi boat!">sushi date</a>.</li>
<li><b>In February,</b> we celebrated <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8228/8445046024_d1c725af18.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah meets the legendary Mike.">Mike Duweling's</a> 50th birthday, watched the <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8443948679_b402e635da.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Is the blackout over yet?">Superbowl</a>, went on stage with <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8517/8449758923_9ccc1de894.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Helping hands poke the knee.">88 Improv</a>, had a <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8463186659_156c803728.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ping Pong and Scuba Diving!">Murder Mystery party</a> at church, made <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8370/8504216035_6a685be4c1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Atza some spicy meat-a-balls!">meatballs</a> with <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8505325778_8da9ae82fe.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Meat, I say!">Phil</a> and Jen, and watched the <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8089/8505203917_e43bd5c032.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah wins the award for Best Supporting Baby.">Oscars</a> with <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8384/8506315710_6b81c20d1d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Bente gets the award for Best Supportin Hostess.">Bente</a> and <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8368/8506312212_db0fe02bf5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Oh, shut up about the clothes already.">friends</a>.</li>
<li><b>In March,</b> we went <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8225/8541477750_db240d3f93.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Our annual fish fry six at St. John Vianney's.">fish-frying</a>, visited <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8564316144_f06ab9f449.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Burchard, Nebraska's sole claim to fame.">Harold Lloyd's house</a> with my brother Jonathan, had a St. Patrick's Day <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8567744445_474bfb1509.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Delicious, improvisational cuisine!">ingredient party</a>, and took Hannah on her first <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8612130224_9504aa5e1e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah the egg hunter!">Easter Egg hunt</a>.</li>
<li><b>In April,</b> I saw graphic design hot-shot <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8241/8663282870_ba52f6f8d1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Tall tales from a large man.">Aaron Draplin</a>. We also took <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8242/8664661157_82b5ae1e1d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Swing dancing? Why not!">Vivian's co-workers</a> swing dancing, helped <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8261/8687226564_5ef2072f36.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="You're staying put now, right, Tamra?">Tamra</a> move, and got Hannah her very own <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8696494077_d89d59df58.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Swing! Whee!">swing</a>.</li>
<li><b>In May,</b> I attended a workshop with <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/8719037822_4178908820.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Here's a St. Louis style swingout.">Christian and Jenny</a>. We also cracked open a <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/8717934419_ba00b2b42c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah takes a whack at it.">piñata</a>, celebrated <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/8733170963_2b11389cd8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My two moms.">Mother's Day</a>, took Hannah to <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/8751606079_89d405503e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Horse!">Gifford Farm</a>, attended a Friendship Program prom, saw <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/8841630192_fd40e1f11e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Or John Stamos and Mike Love.">John Stamos and the Beach Boys</a>, had a reunion with <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/8878807290_38a0d9e22c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Called "Alternative" for some reason.">Vivian's youth group</a>, and saw a movie at the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/8909321796_53dc0cb988.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Free movies, perfect weather.">Sumtur</a>.</li>
<li><b>In June,</b> <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/8992870238_e3a74f989c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It always hurts the first time.">Amber and Cliff</a> got married, we had <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/9071415595_f9fce65f02.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's great to be a dad!">Father's Day</a>, Vivian and I went <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9129961105_844f541486.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Camping with our wacky friends.">camping</a>, we saw <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/9162469463_7eb650c076.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hit me with your best shot!">Pat Benatar</a> and <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/9162479495_b400fb7cbc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Everybody's working for the weekend.">Loverboy</a> at Memorial Park, and then saw <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/9170441095_64581b6c73.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The cast of a bloody good play.">Titus Andronicus</a> at Shakespeare on the Green.</li>
<li><b>In July,</b> we shot off some <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/9228620888_10616f3f83.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="And the rockets' red glare...">fireworks</a>, saw <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7431/9225689497_10d0a55805.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The coorful cast of Twelfth Night.">Twelfth Night</a> at <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/9225795195_7f9c49ae11.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="...and one for all!">Shakespeare on the Green</a>, watched the <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/9290167727_551fcc0cb1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Crack!">Stormchasers</a> as Hannah rode a <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/9292951854_120901d18d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's first ride on a carousel.">merry-go-round</a>, and celebrated an anniversary with a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/9330635392_f3368a974f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Oh give me a home...">drive-thru safari</a>, <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/9330563586_ab710cb095.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Glub! Glub!">swimming</a>, and <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/9327742027_3254a4c194.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A pair of red lobsters.">lobster</a>. Mike and Merinda got <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9382142145_af30cd54e2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I'll just take a peek under the hood.">married</a>, and Hannah got to see <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/9353831183_ba089fa0eb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Insert bible verse here.">clouds</a>. Matt also appeared in a book by <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/9318928642_1a50333943.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Look for my story on page 128.">Clark Howard</a>.</li>
<li><b>In August,</b> Vivian and her mom did some <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/9449426796_526c0d56c9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pretty little trees.">painting</a>, <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/9449411124_cf52382fc7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cheers to getting older and moving on.">Tamra and her dad</a> celebrated a birthday and a retirement, and the Jitterbugs danced at <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/9517133008_c09b688805.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jump, Jive, and Wail!">Friendship Program</a>. We rode on an <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/9533191109_d4d2b5964b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="WHAT?">air boat</a>, we had Lindy in the Park with <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/9593721377_09d85ffdae.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jim Snyder tested every "Play Me, I'm Yours" piano in Omaha.">live</a> <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/9596517406_bc92c91b38.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Gene Klosner and son.">music</a>, and I celebrated my <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/9642793564_a02f3c958b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I get by with a little help from my friends.">birthday</a> with <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/9642771526_d061ea9ca8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Bacon guacamole perfection!">burgers</a> and hot, hot <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/9642769684_f345c1bca0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="No air conditioning, folks.">dancing</a>.</li>
<li><b>In September</b>, we said goodbye to <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2855/9661681578_bf9504a792.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="We'll miss you, Aunt Jessica.">Jessica</a>, and Hannah got her first <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/9693705177_83d9bbb80f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Snip, snip, snip!">haircut</a>. We also took Hannah <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/9866469076_6933b33d58.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah picks her first apple!">apple-picking</a> in Nebraska City, entered a corn-eating contest (with <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/9901210614_f100537c11.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Our baby cornstalker!">Hannah</a>), and got to see <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/9901049806_e0f26bb980.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Why, that fellow singing at the Eagle's Lodge looks just like that guy from Indigo Swing.">Johnny Boyd</a> and his <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9901068365_3b9d5e73a2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My favorite songs, played live as we dance. Magic!">band</a> at <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7292/9900998035_e5a85c5bbd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's only a paper moon.">Cowtown</a>. Vivian also had a <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9987789176_e6be5b5190.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Taking full advantage of all-you-can-eat sashimi.">sushi-licious</a> birthday.</li>
<li><b>In October</b>, I took Vivian to see <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/10169392295_9a4c9fc9e5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Timothy Shew as Jean Valjean.">Les Mis</a> and we took Hannah back to <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/10180192196_42cb43e9f8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="And I say, "hay!" What a wondeful kind of day.">Gifford Farm</a>. <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/10219031504_706e9e970c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="PK and his new bride.">PK</a> got married, we visited <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/10252937595_da2ffedfc7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The whole gang at Vala's.">Vala's with friends</a>, got some <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/10521219414_a431d09420.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pumpkin patching at Union Orchard.">pumpkins</a>, and went <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/10261130024_32f402fa72.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Or as Hannah calls it, a "boat."">hayrack-riding</a> with our church. We also had Halloween with <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/10394999363_e9314eba12.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The crew at Jenny's party.">friends</a>, more <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/10521035674_b98b2ef5dc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Swing dancing to Ghostbusters at Merinda's house.">friends</a>, the <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/10521295954_1d05b90948.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Halloweening at the Y.">YMCA</a>, and the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3790/10520959634_89e13db989.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Halloweening at Shadowlake.">mall</a>. We also learned that we had a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/11210972853_90435dc36a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Look at him swimming!">member of the family</a> on the way!</li>
<li><b>In November</b>, we took Hannah to a <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/10792451853_59a3537668.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I can see three states from here.">park</a> or <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/10792679163_c39897b7dc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah the tree-hugger!">two</a> and hung out with the <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2832/10917530765_4f99f1b471.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hangin out with the kids.">Lenart family</a>. Mom and <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/10917653454_5ecd8bf992.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Watchin Sesame Street with Grandpa Johnson.">dad</a> came to visit and stayed for <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/11144840036_8cd7fb626d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Now there's a feast.">Thanksgiving dinner</a>. Hannah turned <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/11011888815_e415ab16f0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Monkey cake!">two years old</a> and had a party with a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/11037341136_40402d9a65.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Boing! Boing! Boing!">bounce-house</a> and a bunch of her <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/11011959924_139698a0c3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah and all her little friends.">friends</a>. We also took Hannah to see <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/11144948593_56f4912835.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Meeting the Big Man himself.">Santa</a> at the Durham Museum and watched the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/11144809824_1c9fe54008.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Light her up!">tree-lighting</a>.</li>
<li><b>In December</b>, we <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/11262176764_4c879abdce.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah hangs her first ornament.">decorated for Christmas</a>, <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/11283100784_204726b422.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I'm a big ding-a-ling.">rang a few bells</a>, and visited the <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/11394932195_d576a3c7de.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="That's a penguin!">zoo</a> with <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/11395085363_7d0b8dfc67.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Chilling with the Mathis family.">friends</a>. We attended a <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/11395087516_50bfcbe43e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cheers for a great new job!">work Christmas Party</a>, hosted one at our <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/11496570674_8230b9aa2f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Christmas fun with our friends.">house</a> with a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/11496514774_55fc5dc94c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Anybody got some chestnuts?">roaring fire</a>, and celebrated seven first dates. Hannah went <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/11559261445_3c9342ee0a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah takes the stage with the TVC kids.">on stage</a> for Christmas Eve and we <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/11559170945_22c97683e0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Another present for Hannah!">opened presents</a> with family before celebrating the New Year with our <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/11690772414_e67e94b554.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Is Drew done explaining the rules yet? The ball is about to drop.">friends at Twin Valley Church</a>.</li>
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So what awaits us in 2014? Well, a new child for one thing, and we can't wait to see what other surprises the new year has in store for us.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-87689973991286323702013-12-04T14:44:00.000-08:002013-12-04T14:44:03.936-08:00Our home for the holidays<div class="picpair">
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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Vivian and I just wrapped up a busy couple of weeks playing host to my parents visiting from North Carolina. During the day, they went with Vivian and Hannah to all their fun, weekly activities, such as attending Mud Pies at the Fontenelle Forest and Storytime with Mrs. B at the Bellevue Public Library. We also spent a couple evening catching up with them, playing a few games, and watching some of our favorite shows together. We also went out to Stella's for some of their classic <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3041/2771986453_64c0676e00.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Because it saves water, that's why.">burgers-on-a-napkin</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/11144926034/" title="IMG_8950 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8950" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/11144926034_d460262dd3_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/11144875384/" title="IMG_9024 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9024" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/11144875384_7501c40b63_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I also managed to get some much-needed work on the house done with the help of my dad. Among other things, we got a new flagpole mounted on the front of the house, which had been a gift from my in-laws on my birthday this year. It was a great chance to try out my new drill with some screwdriver bits. Nothing more father-and-sonly than that.
Jonathan came down a little later as we all had a fairly standard <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/11144840036_8cd7fb626d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Loosen your belts everybody.">Thanksgiving meal</a> together: turkey, stuffing with gravy, poppy-seed biscuits, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, potatoes, pearl onions, <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/11144877454_0f22b67020.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Taber salad. Secret recipe.">Taber salad</a>, sweet pickles, green olives, and grape Martinelli's. It was the first time I'd had <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/11144875384_7501c40b63.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Thanksgiving with both sets of parents.">Thanksgiving with my parents</a> since they moved to North Carolina over ten years ago.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/11144948593/" title="IMG_9108 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9108" height="160" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/11144948593_56f4912835_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/11144809824/" title="IMG_9175 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9175" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/11144809824_1c9fe54008_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The next day, <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/11144802375_42b456317a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="One last shot with the paternal grandparents.">mom and dad</a> left for North Carolina, and Vivian, Jonathan, Hannah, and I enjoyed some fairly quiet Black Friday shopping. One advantage to all the stores moving their sales up to Thursday is that the stores are relatively quiet on Black Friday, with plenty of deals still waiting for us on their respective palettes.
That evening, Vivian and I took Hannah to the Durham Museum once again for the annual <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/11144737115_5abef966dd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="How's this for a Christmas picture?">Christmas Tree</a> lighting. Grammy and Papa were at their <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/11144849424_ef474bde3d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Got milk!">stations</a> once again at the cookie decorating booth, and Vivian and I took turns with Hannah as she went to see <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/11144948593_56f4912835.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Santa with the Man in Red.">Santa</a> and then made a <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/11144943913_0004c854f4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ooh! Candy cane!">candy cane</a> out of pipe cleaners and beads. "Vintage vocalist" <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/11144738955_ed68886b78.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah squeezes into the front row.">Michael Walker</a> was on-hand again to channel Frank Sinatra in the minutes before the main event, and Omaha's New Mayor Jean Stothert joined <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/11144938213_e4f1901d20.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Anybody need some big colored foam cowboy hats?">David Mangelsen</a> and a few other <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/11144757135_00287549a8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="MIchael Walker, Mayor Jean Stothert, and some random lady.">keynote speakers</a> on stage to count down the tree-lighting once 6:30 rolled around. People then rushed the stage for some yule-tide <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/11144764036_7892abfcff.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="How's this for a Christmas picture?">photo opportunities</a> before heading home.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/11164722685/" title="IMG_9236 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9236" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/11164722685_f27962e2c6_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/11164886993/" title="IMG_9263 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9263" height="160" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/11164886993_927d0a3528_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Vivian and I spent most of Saturday recovering from our Thanksgiving activities. On Sunday, we had a <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/11164722685_f27962e2c6.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Soup's on, everybody!">Soup Potluck</a> at Twin Valley Church, immediately followed by some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/11164741446_93ef8a7bc9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hanging the garland. Watch out for the nails.">decorating</a> for Christmas. Vivian and I took turns watching Hannah <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/11164749666_833324acc6.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's ready for a tea party.">inside</a> and <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2830/11164833573_1a5893c04e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah takes her dolly for a slide.">out</a> while putting up some garland and getting other <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/11164886993_927d0a3528.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Reina has a Christmas tchotchke.">ornamentation</a> in place with the rest of the church. The day wound down fairly quickly as we continued to dig through all our leftovers from our four or five days of feasting, and we easily managed to pack away enough food for leftovers for the next week (or two).
It'll be nice not to have to cook for a while!Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-29257786862865979682013-10-16T20:27:00.000-07:002013-11-26T08:52:37.928-08:00Curry, hayracks, and a pumpkin patch<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/10219088695/" title="IMG_6849 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6849" height="160" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/10219088695_478a3d0d42_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/10219128766/" title="IMG_6857 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/10219128766_755456aaab_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_6857"></a></div>
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The month of October is always jam-packed with fun events with our circle of friends, and this weekend was certainly no exception. On Friday night, Vivian and I dropped by the Regency Lake & Tennis Club to attend a wedding reception PK with a bunch of her <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/10219128766_2c7682cb7b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Everybody's ready to party!">former co-workers</a>. PK and his new bride are both from Nepal, and brought an entire cross-section of his family to come and celebrate in true Nepalese style. There was some amazing <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/10219120415_2e95726f67.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ready for some Nepalese noms.">ethnic food</a> available out front — chicken chhoyla, vegetable pakoda, palak paneer, rajma, chicken tikka masala, and mutton curry — every one of which was a new treat for us. Hannah even got to try a few bites, though she seemed content to munch on shrimp crackers and naan. I'm definitely grateful that the venue allowed PK and his family to bring their own food. Afterward, we got to burn it off with some <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/10219088695_478a3d0d42.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Shake it up!">dancing</a> to energetic music once a few of us got over ourselves. Naturally, there were about a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/10219139456_4bdc08fda0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Smile, everybody!">dozen cameras</a> pointed every which way, so people had a few inhibitions before hitting the floor, but once <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/10219216713_8f1d8d907a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Oppa Gangnam Style!">PK's mom</a> got into the fun, nobody wanted to sit it out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/10238960725/" title="IMG_6915 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6915" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/10238960725_6400828dfe_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/10238692673/" title="IMG_7226 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7226" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/10238692673_339e32e314_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On Saturday, we continued the fall traditions with a trip to Vala's Pumpkin Patch. This was Hannah's second visit to Nebraska's famous autumnal amusement park, and this time around she was <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/10238704535_17b5a26818.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="How tall this fall?">big enough</a> to participate in some of the "<a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/10238955975_5cbf1f6331.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Bouncing for the big kids.">big kid</a>" attractions, such as the <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8132/10238940725_fe67b0a1d4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Boing!!">jumping pillows</a>, the new <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/10238746544_eff21860e7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ready for launch.">Big Slide</a>, and even the family-sized <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7328/10238960725_6400828dfe.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Let's roll!">go-cart</a> (though I did the pedaling and steering while Vivian held on for dear life). Of course, we had to bring a gang of our great friends to join in the fun (and the lines). <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5338/10238933015_b5ac6cb286.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jump, mommy!">Li Ya</a> also brought her <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/10238488364_e0c0cd167e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaw.">little boy</a>, who immediately took a shine to <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/10238723353_bdae4cfa1d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="All smiles from these two.">Hannah</a>. A crashed for <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/10238886535_0b4abfaf55.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Suffering succotash!">food</a> when necessary between trudging through a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/10238731634_26f43bb63a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="You sure you know the way out, dad?">corn maze</a> and <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8400/10238766984_5eb603d9c8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Wonder what this plunger does.">pumpkin mine</a>, and we grabbed a photo opportunity on a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/10252937595_da2ffedfc7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hurry up, half the park is waiting.">giant chair</a>, in a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/10238825274_b71e16bb1e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hey, Mark is over 100 years old.">coffin</a>, in the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/10238692673_339e32e314.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Our annual cowboy hat picture.">gift shop</a>, in <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/10239000343_7676cbbd42.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah in a strap-iron jail.">jail</a>, and by a <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2818/10238580694_43e528d6af.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Fall family photo! Oh yeah.">pile of pumpkins</a> when we got the chance (with the help of some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/10238962633_60ed8e5d7a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jolene gets some love from Little Matthew.">friendly passersby</a>). Hannah also got to see a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5469/10238674974_d8b971e123.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Watching the pig races up close.">pig race</a>, a <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8555/10238636854_53360e08af.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Big dragon!">dragon</a> or <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/10239049803_f8f5dd2541.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Little dragon.">two</a>, and definitely enjoyed the storybook village, riding in a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/10238566595_81e11c0114.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's happy in her pumpkin carriage.">pumpkin carriage</a> and giving Little Bo Beep a <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/10238560426_e2b21cea96.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I'm sorry you lost your sheep!">hug</a>. We finished off the night with Amazing Arthur (where I missed Jenny getting called up on stage), and found our way out through the <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/10238551265_e162e13513.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Purple man! Purple man!">gift shop</a>, grabbing an obligatory caramel apple along the way.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/10261325803/" title="IMG_7443 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7443" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/10261325803_c36f7d5f96_m.jpg" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/10261251363/" title="IMG_7538 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_7538" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/10261251363_0787cdbe36_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On Sunday, the Halls opened up their home again for another fun campfire and <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8133/10261184774_62cb5a81c7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Everybody load up!">hay rack ride</a> with our friends at Twin Valley Church. It was a gorgeous day for <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/10261212304_2d2e88df5d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A little football by the cornfield.">being outdoors</a> and <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/10261130024_32f402fa72.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Nothing like a dusty ride in the country.">riding around</a> in the countryside. Hannah is old enough now to play with the cluster of <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/10261103606_8763c125c9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah and the kiddos from church.">little friends</a> from church who came along for the event, and she got to discover some of the fun of riding in a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3811/10261305505_de835dc2b5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Round in a circle! Round in a circle! In! Out!">tire swing</a> and eating tasty <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/10261129615_162ca876f2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Nobody knows who made the tiny mystery pies.">fall things</a> in front of a campfire. One of the things I love best about our little church group is how much fun we all seem to have together. Of course there were plenty of pictures being <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/10261253886_edc6523d7d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Fellow photographer/dad.">snapped</a> from every angle, so Teresa recruited a couple of us to snap pictures of her <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/10261196546_6eeba94e3a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The Rietjens Family">family</a> while we were being so shutter-happy.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-422201107462100492013-10-10T14:00:00.000-07:002013-10-10T14:00:00.059-07:00Do you hear the people sing?<div class="picpair">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151681525183803&set=a.10151589360463803.1073741830.50437213802&type=1&relevant_count=1" title="Photo by Christian M. Robertson"><img alt="P1160196" height="160" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1393737_10151681525183803_103206751_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/10169392295/" title="P1160194 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="P1160194" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/10169392295_9a4c9fc9e5_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Vivian and I had a memorable Friday date night last week as we enjoyed using the two tickets I was able to snag for her birthday (front row center!) We stopped by <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7438/10169395505_8107f3aa06.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="So how does Pinpoint work?">Danny's</a> at 72nd and Blondo for dinner first, getting in some ribeye/cheese steak goodness before the show. The performance was stellar, as I knew it would be, with vocal talents including <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/10169392295_9a4c9fc9e5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Timothy Shew, fresh out of his Jean Valjean getup">Timothy Shew</a>, who has performed Jean Valjean some 1600 times, including on Broadway, and <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/10169387895_fbda29f072.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Got to love community theater and getting to meet each member of the cast.">too many others</a> to list in one blog post. They really shone during the thunderous group numbers, particularly One Day More right before intermission. I have to give props to the technical wizards who were able to put a revolving platform in the middle oft he stage, allowing actors to walk in place and have scenery shift around them during scenes (and it operated almost silently despite carrying a barricade full of rebellious schoolboys).
Right before intermission, I got a call from my Uncle Ben, who was concerned about a tornado that hit Wayne, Nebraska this afternoon where my brother lives. I was able to get hold of him between acts to make sure he was all right.
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<em><a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1393737_10151681525183803_103206751_n.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Final scene from Les Mis by Christian M. Robertson">Picture above left</a> by Christian M. Robertson courtesy of the Omaha Community Playhouse Facebook page.</em></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/10180337086/" title="IMG_6666 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6666" height="160" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8130/10180337086_83b53026a5_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/10180233076/" title="IMG_6733 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6733" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/10180233076_4871d1b146_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On Saturday, we took Hannah for another swim lesson and then spent a few hours down at Gifford Farm for their fall festival. Hannah got to <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/10180280495_423ddd7694.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Needs more frosting!">decorate a cookie</a> or two, and then Grammy and I took her around to look at some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/10180250465_4c70255fac.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Why a duck?">animals</a> and explored a <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/10180322053_01ebed5a70.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I see you!">hollowed-out tree</a> for a bit. We took Hannah on her first hayrack ride of the season after that and then got a little <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3674/10180227556_f620f99914.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Frito pie anyone?">lunch</a>. Hannah also got to <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5514/10180237313_ecbbe30c84.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaaah! I mean, whee!">slide</a> down into a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3832/10180192196_42cb43e9f8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hay! What a wonderful kind of day!">pile of hay</a> a couple times before we headed on home, which quickly became her most favorite thing to do ever. Vivian went straight from there to her women's bible study retreat, so I got some quality time with my girl for the evening (who spent some of it <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/10180024134_25481b0589.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Reading her doll a story.">reading to her doll</a> on the couch, a terrible "Daw" worthy moment in parenting).
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Hannah spends some time reading to her doll on the couch.
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Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-10795244636470776842013-10-01T19:00:00.000-07:002013-10-01T14:43:31.662-07:00Happy Sashimi<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9987789176/" title="IMG_6552 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9987789176_e6be5b5190_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_6552"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9987735256/" title="IMG_6596 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6596" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/9987735256_4550d08a34_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Over the weekend, we celebrated both Vivian and Jack turning another year. On Friday, it was Vivian's birthday, so we kicked off the festivities with a lunchtime birthday date at <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/9992842363_a4a37f4544.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A little lunch at La Buvette.">La Buvette</a> in the Old Market, sampling wine and cheese and a few Greek things and enjoying some gorgeous fall weather eating outdoors. Afterward, we walked up the street to <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/9992714855_fe744d20e4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cinnamon and pumpkin. Oh yeah!">Ted & Wally's</a> so Vivian could get her free birthday ice cream for dessert.<br />
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That evening, we gathered with a bunch of our friends at <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5512/9987832613_d318646d02.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="High on sushi, everybody!">Tokyo Omaha</a> (coincidentally a few blocks away) for a birthday sushi binge. Vivian took full advantage of the restaurant's all-you-can-eat format by getting a plate full of tasty <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9987789176_e6be5b5190.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Now that's some raw fish!">sashimi</a>. A whole bunch of our favorite, <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/9987740995_b71f00bf38.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Birthday dinner with some of the coolest goofballs we know.">goofy friends</a> came along to join us for the birthday bash, and then afterward we went to the Eagles' Lodge for <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/9987696814_17f72e0d4d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Everyone shim sham!">Jitterbugs Night Out</a>. You can't have a birthday without a <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/9987809323_c8de210458.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Birthday jam!">birthday jam</a>, of course! We barely had room when we returned home to have some of the massive <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/9987723866_04f3abb9c6.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Angel food cake for our angel.">angel food cake</a> Donna made for us. Fortunately, my brother Jonathan stopped by to help us eat it over the weekend (and brought a pie of his own from Village Inn).<br />
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Vivian got to open a few presents before we all went to bed, which included tickets to see <i>Les Misérables </i>on Friday next week. (Check back for that update next week!)
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/10011955585/" title="IMG_6622 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6622" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/10011955585_f10be81e9a_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/10011917985/" title="IMG_6659 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6659" height="160" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/10011917985_58efe002b5_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Of course, this weekend was also Jack's birthday, having been born two days apart from Vivian (and a couple years, of course). We celebrated the way we have for many years — <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3720/10011955585_f10be81e9a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Bloomin' onion. It's tradition.">bloomin' onion</a> and rib-eye steaks at the <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/10011950915_3c1c193762.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Birthday rib-eyes, everybody.">Outback Steakhouse</a>. We returned home to open some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7335/10011936525_123898c534.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jack Stack's Barbecue Sauce.">presents</a> afterward and then went to Ted & Wally's for some more birthday ice cream. Jack found a way to ruin a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5486/10011892774_8f56ef691b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Black licorice and pistachio.">perfectly good cone</a> with two scoops of black licorice ice cream (and a scoop of pistachio in-between).<br />
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In other news, we had a bit of sadness as Vivian's <a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/8030070572_41dba37e69.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Vivian's Uncle David.">Uncle David</a> passed away in California after an unfortunate fall. He was taken off life support on Friday and was fortunate enough to leave this earth with no long-term suffering or illness. Hannah got the chance to meet him when we stopped by to visit Fortuna last year. He will be greatly missed.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-51996379594127892252013-09-25T07:00:00.000-07:002013-09-30T12:00:32.879-07:00Apples, corn, and Johnny Boyd<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9866427836/" title="IMG_5999 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5999" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/9866427836_a66a257738_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9866481885/" title="IMG_6019 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6019" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/9866481885_29191508e0_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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Fall is officially underway once again, and there's no better way to kick off another season of autumnal fun than taking a trip down to Nebraska City for the Applejack Festival. We crashed at the <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/9866325314_93c8def71d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Can't have Applejack without pancakes.">firehouse</a> for <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7316/9866443583_825f3709e2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Catch!">pancakes</a> once again (per tradition), and bumped into <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/9866459883_b60232648d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="They just done running around or something.">Jenny</a> and her family along the way. We skipped down to the library's used book sale, checked out a few <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/9866376236_ef0567b65d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="We couldn't find the giant boat.">sights</a>, and then drove by Arbor Day Farm for <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/9866370075_f27cc763c0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ah, now THAT'S cider!">Apple Cider</a>. We finished things off with a nice, long trip to the <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/9866430675_155e262699.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The apples are THAT way.">Kimmel apple orchard</a> in the afternoon, where <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/9866462833_6b8f5855ce.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Wheeeeee!">Hannah</a> got to have her first <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/9866427836_a66a257738.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's so proud of her equestrian skills.">pony ride</a>. She was a little nervous at first, but she was soon asking for <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7323/9866392404_48151242af.jpg" rel="lightbox" title=""Moe?"">more</a> as soon as the ride was done.<br />
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Of course, we couldn't leave without picking a peck (or two) of apples in the orchard. Hannah got to see some apples <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7352/9866481885_29191508e0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Grab it, Hannah!">up close and personal</a> and found one small enough for her to <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/9866469076_6933b33d58.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's first freshly-picked apple.">pick herself</a>. We also stumbled upon some <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/9866440924_0d89e87184.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Those are plum good!">ripe plums</a> and Asian pairs hiding around a corner, far away from where the hay rack ride usually deposits everyone. I'd never had a juicy ripe plum fresh off the tree before, and Hannah instantly found a new favorite fruit.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9901283133/" title="IMG_6200 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6200" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/9901283133_db8f53cb64_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9901225763/" title="IMG_6241 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6241" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/9901225763_44f1411bc5_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, the Cowtown Jamborama had been going on since Thursday. Vivian had been able to drop by Thursday night and Friday during the day, but we saved our time, energy, and feet for Sunday night's festivities. First up was the infamous <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/9901160334_b59a0fe4bb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hope you're feeling hungry.">corn-eating contest</a> in the lower level of the Eagle's Lodge. <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/9901222584_8e1926eb0d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Nom nom nom...">Hannah</a> had already been practicing with an ear of corn at <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/9901225696_44cb5f59ce.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Practice round.">church</a> and was more than eager to take on a whole <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/9901283133_db8f53cb64.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="You can do it, Hannah!">gang of kiddos</a> who'd come to compete for the title of baby corn-eating champion. She did all right for a one-year old but just couldn't stand up to her <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/9901253933_c480b38caf.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The junior corn-eating winner">ten-year-old</a> competition.
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Immediately following the kids' competition, naturally, came the adults, and much to my surprise, my name had been somehow added to the list of competitors. Seriously, I didn't sign up, but neither did I back down once someone decided to sign me up. It was eight minutes or nauseating yellow mess, but guess who came out on top for the second time? <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/9901082575_1102be9fc7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The agony of victory, everyone.">Yep.</a> <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7349/9901125636_f00256e9e1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Looking good there, sweetie.">Vivian</a> also managed to break her third-place streak by coming in right behind me, following closely by the ever-corny Ben Cass.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9901100444/" title="IMG_6320 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6320" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9901100444_3538053612_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9901068365/" title="IMG_6270 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_6270" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9901068365_3b9d5e73a2_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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After a few hours of recovery (and time to shuttle Hannah on home for some babysitting courtesy of the in-laws) it was time for the main event: an evening of <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/9901061754_4dbc1a31cb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Dancing to some of my favorite swing tunes.">swinging music</a> with <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/9901120034_9ae21af8ab.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ladies and gentlemen, Johnny Boyd">Johnny Boyd</a> and <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9901068365_3b9d5e73a2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Johnny Boyd and his band take the stage.">his band</a>. Johnny Boyd was the vocal talent behind the neo-swing band, Indigo Swing, which I had been introduced to by my old friend Legostar many years ago. The new ensemble sang all my old favorites, as well as several new ones, and Johnny's voice hadn't changed a bit. I'd done the Lindy Hop to <i>How Lucky Can One Guy Be</i> countless times, but I never thought I'd be doing it right in front oft he man himself right here at the Eagle's Lodge.<br />
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There was a <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9901100444_3538053612.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Solo Jazz competition">solo Jazz competition</a> somewhere in-between sets, and I stuck around for every song of the night, despite having to get up early the next day. I'm glad I did, since Johnny stuck around to meet and greet <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/9901002764_a3716b2324.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Fan girls.">fans</a> afterward, sign autographs, and get <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/9901000324_6479ee3020.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Yes, I had my fan boy moment.">pictures</a> taken with him. He'd performed in Omaha years ago at the Stork Club during the height of the swing revival in the late 90s. Several people in attendance (cough Lisa cough) had remembered those days quite well and hung around to gab about old times. It honestly made me think about how darn fond I am of this swing-dancing crowd that's still been jumpin' after all these years, and I'm happier than ever to be a part of it.<br />
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Special thanks to <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/9901114084_f327377494.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="You're the man, Nate!">Nate Woodhams</a> for helping to bring one of my favorite musicians of all time to Cowtown. Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-57329546061682797082013-09-09T11:00:00.000-07:002013-09-09T11:05:33.071-07:00Haircuts and swimming<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9693705177/" title="IMG_5757 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_5757" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/9693705177_83d9bbb80f_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9696925774/" title="P1160159 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="P1160159" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2813/9696925774_5777452123_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our little girl had a couple of adorable firsts over the weekend. On Friday, Grammy came by to give Hannah her very first <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/9693705177_83d9bbb80f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Snip, snip, snip!">haircut</a>. She's been getting a bit shaggy over the past few months and now had bangs down to her eyes, so it was time for a trim. We kept her satiated with Pooh and a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/9696935298_d40c9157e1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cookie!">cookie</a>, and she took her little trim like a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/9693701713_33458b31c4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Success!">champ</a>. (Mom kept some of the clippings in a plastic bag for her keepsake box, of course.) Donna gave the rest of the family a trim while she was over and then we all went out to Hector's for dinner to celebrate<br />
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The next day, Vivian and I took Hannah down to the Sarpy YMCA for her very first <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/9696927466_2866f6c0a7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ready for the water!">swimming lesson</a>! Hannah has experienced a swimming pool before, but this was the first time she got serious training on jumping around in the water with <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5335/9696924150_f35b9eda7b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Next, throw you kid in the pool and say, "Bye!"">mommy</a> (down at the deep end, no less). We went downtown afterward for some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/9696920776_1bc15b25c0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah nibbles a red bean ice cream bar.">Japanese food</a> at <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/9693694539_defd1159b5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Lunch at Matsu Sushi!">Matsu Sushi</a> for lunch, and afterward Hannah got to experience <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/9696919740_d1e1fc2807.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's going out on a limb.">climbing around in a tree</a> for the first time before heading home.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-11489655271400792182013-09-05T09:00:00.000-07:002013-09-05T09:00:10.759-07:00Birthday weekend<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9624896858/" title="IMG_3314 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3314" height="160" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5479/9624896858_0c57fec47f_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9639563379/" title="IMG_3329 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3329" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/9639563379_5484907beb_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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I love birthdays, especially when they're mine! I had a very happy one this year. It all started on the day itself, which was a Thursday. Hannah and mom paid me a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5447/9621662619_46fdffb20a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Lunch with my little girl!">lunchtime visit</a> with balloons and a couple presents picked out by my little girl. Then we headed down to Amato's for lunch. I'd eaten there with <a href="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4121/4855364924_01175dd680.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Smile, everyone!">my folks</a> once before, and the call of homemade sausage and <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/9624899022_5d1bccf286.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Amato's famous ricotta pancakes">ricotta pancakes</a> was just too strong to resist any longer.<br />
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That evening, Vivian took me to a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5347/9639564909_a1d987e35b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pork chops for two">birthday dinner</a> at the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/9642802126_5d40326d07.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The 801 Chophouse at the corner of 14th and Farnam">801 Chophouse</a>, where we had some pork chops, lobster mashed potatoes, and my favorite fried mushrooms with boursin cheese. Of course, we had to walk down to Ted & Wally's afterward for my free ice cream (<a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/9639563379_5484907beb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Coffee and baklava ice cream">coffee and baklava</a>). Vivian decided to have some <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/9642798816_5e99d69d01.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hot enough for you, Vivi?">tamarind candy ice cream</a> that was quite hot for being so cold.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9642793564/" title="IMG_3345b by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3345b" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/9642793564_a02f3c958b_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9642777826/" title="IMG_3405 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3405" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/9642777826_31076e8411_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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The next day was Friday night. That called for some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/9642793564_a02f3c958b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Birthday burgers with some of my peeps!">burgers with friends</a> in the heart of South Omaha at my favorite burger joint -- <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3750/9642796658_05c0a2d046.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My favorite burger joint">Louie M's Burger Lust</a>. I'd discovered the place with my dad ages ago and we've come back again and again ever since (it's even made its way into my comic once or twice!)<br />
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After all that <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2831/9639556413_9870fa9d5b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Now that's a good burger!">good eating</a>, we went to burn as much off as we could down at the Eagle's Lodge. It was easier than we thought, since the air conditioning had broken and turned the upper floor into a giant swing-dancing sauna. It certainly wasn't too hot for a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/9639529671_d68ea770aa.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ben, Matt, Jessica, and Amanda. Birthday (and goodbye) jammers!">birthday jam</a> or a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5550/9639526277_ccbebfbef3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The Jack and Jill winners">Jack and Jill</a> competition shortly thereafter, though. A <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/9642789182_aac80721cf.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Sarah's keeping cool with her biggest fan.">little heat</a> never kept us from dancing indoors or out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9661681578/" title="IMG_3476 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3476" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2855/9661681578_bf9504a792_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9661654560/" title="IMG_3540 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3540" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/9661654560_318688bff9_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We had a lovely three-day weekend to unwind after all the celebrating was done. A storm wandered through Sunday night and made things lovely and cool for Sunday and Monday. Our mutual friend <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/9658451205_9c7f515217.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jessica gives Hannah one last high five.">Jessica Ritchie</a> decided to move to North Carolina and came around to say her last goodbyes at the Upstream and then later at JNO and our church. I think we said goodbye to her about a dozen times before she finally left town.<br />
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On Monday evening, the in-laws had a <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2856/9661654560_318688bff9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Labor Day dinner with friendds">cookout</a> at their place with some friends in honor of Do Nothing Day. Jack brought a few <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/9661657672_e50199ced2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Flatiron steaks!">flatiron steaks</a> out of the freezer and onto <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5533/9661659050_bb4e92bf39.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jack mans the grill.">the grill</a>, I brought up some potato salad, and Vivian made a pot full of nacho cheese dip that kept us full for a while. (<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9658434973_c99c8468fd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Drinks with grammy.">Hannah</a> provided <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/9658433731_a240aed47b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Keith pushes Hannah on her trike!">adorable entertainment</a>, as usual.)Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-57336057245574379062013-08-27T06:25:00.001-07:002013-09-04T09:04:35.451-07:00Jam sessions<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9596929266/" title="IMG_2992 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2992" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7372/9596929266_73cd38220c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9593758649/" title="IMG_3191 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3191" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/9593758649_5995042b45_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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Well, summer is finally here, though after the last few months of unseasonable coolness, I won't complain over a few days in August in the 90s. It certainly won't keep us from having fun outdoors, such as having a family picnic for Hannah's 21-month birthday! My two ladies stopped by Stinson Park, and we had some sandwiches before letting Hannah run through the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/9569908451_21e41bba26.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Water, water, everywhere.">fountains</a> by Center street. Then she found some kid's discarded <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2871/9569844187_eec62d3c6d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Anybody using this? OK.">toy car</a> and decided to claim it as her own in-between shooting down the slides.
On Saturday, we had another rendezvous with <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/9593758649_5995042b45.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Fry 'em up Dennis.">Dennis</a> and his <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2816/9596550824_0c45097aa8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hanging with the usual suspects.">clan</a> in Papillion. He had an "end of summer" party, even though it feels like it just got started. We had burgers and dogs with some of our mutual friends as the kids terrorized one another in the other room.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9596517406/" title="IMG_3251 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3251" height="160" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5521/9596517406_bc92c91b38_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9593721377/" title="IMG_3284 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3284" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/9593721377_09d85ffdae_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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On Sunday, we had one last, hot Lindy in the Park for the 2013 season. It almost didn't happen, since Billy wasn't around to set up this time, but <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/9593751959_9b30545aaa.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Wherever there's dancing, Dan will be there.">Dan Wondra</a> stepped it with his Tailgater, and I'm awfully glad he did. Despite the heat, we got a handful of friends out to dance underneath the pavilion, but the real fun started when a few stray musicians wandered our way. If you've been to Stinson Park over the past few weeks, you may have seen a piano bearing the words, "Play Me, I'm Yours" (which part of a larger street art project). After an hour of dancing to stock swing tunes, local musician <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3717/9596528314_d5c34b7774.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Gene Klosner and son tinkle the ivories.">Gene Klosner</a> dropped by to improvise some blues and boogie woogie for us on the fly, which was fantastic. About an hour later, a man named <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/9593721377_09d85ffdae.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jim Snyder tested every "Play Me, I'm Yours" piano in Omaha.">Jim Snyder</a> came by to bang out some amazing rockabilly and bluegrass for us for at least an hour after we were going to call it a day. It was the first Lindy in the Park ever with live music, and you couldn't possibly have planned it. We had a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/9593737617_ec91cf28bd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Brianne stops by.">handful</a> of <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7417/9596526112_222bcd0e68.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Sherry and Dan do Charleston to Spike Jones.">other</a> <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/9593742289_107318fa59.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A few Lindy Hop students come by to practice.">jitterbugs</a> join in the fun, and at least as many other pedestrians walking by filming the spectacle. I'm so glad we were able to have one last (hot) dance outdoors for the season! <span class="muzzled">Special thanks to Dan Wondra, Jim Snyder, and Gene Klosner for making it so memorable.</span>Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-24149567564167905472013-08-20T06:18:00.003-07:002013-08-27T14:08:46.447-07:00Friendship dancing and air boating<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9517133008/" title="IMG_2796 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2796" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/9517133008_c09b688805_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9533191109/" title="IMG_2930 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2930" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/9533191109_d4d2b5964b_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a></div>
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Last week, Vivian helped carry on a tradition that's been going on longer than I've even known her: swing dancing at Friendship Program! Yes, a few stray Lindy Hoppers and member of the Jitterbug "performance team" dropped by to demonstrate their fancy footwork to the good folks up on Maple Street during a lunch break. Most people had to wander back to work (aka "real life"), though <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2868/9517129674_e1421e2a0d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It wouldn't be a Jitterbug event with Dan Wondra.">Dan Wondra</a>, Linsday and I got to stay until the very end with Vivian, kicking up our feet for <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/9514340075_ba2f31f623.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Kicking it with Vivian and Dan!">Charleston</a> or whatever else we could come up with before the music ended.<br />
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Then on Saturday, the Johnson Family spent a little more time taking advantage of the Best Summer Weather Ever down on the <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/9535982606_bbee5c6619.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="August and 78 degrees. How could you not be outside?">Platte River</a> with some mutual friends and co-workers. The whole event was held at a complex of "cabins" and beautiful landscaping owned by the Labedz family, which was open to any member of the family, a few of which we happened to know. The lot of us had chicken and <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/9535968898_4688f8ef83.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Feeding mommy ice cream.">ice cream</a> hanging out on the <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/9533192705_9888452523.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hanging out by the patio.">patio</a>, and then Mr. Labedz dad broke out the <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/9533191109_d4d2b5964b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="That's just the sound of my ear drum rupturing.">air boat</a> to roar a couple of us up and down the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/9533185625_61fe9db407.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The river always looks different from the middle.">river</a>. There's nothing quite like being able to shoot right over a shallow sandbar when you're used to scraping over it with a canoe. Hannah, of course, just had fun running around outside and playing with other <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/9535980264_e77c5f2555.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah makes a new friend.">kiddos</a> before <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/9533180397_0f3884b7ae.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Out like a light.">crashing</a> in our car on the way home.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-27081714003322062512013-08-16T06:50:00.001-07:002013-08-16T06:51:44.419-07:00Mandatory Night Out<div class="picpair"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9486910934/" title="IMG_2659 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/9486910934_54b507ab02_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="IMG_2659"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9484120915/" title="IMG_2643 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2643" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7458/9484120915_bd4d3cdc48_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a>
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One thing I happen to love about Groupon is that these little vouchers have an expiration date. That means Vivian and I get an extra financial incentive to make a "date night" happen! We had one of these on Friday, dropping by Jazz downtown to have some Chicken a la Mer and jambalaya. We dined <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/9486930562_329cec6856.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Nice night for a meal outdoors!">al fresco</a>, since this epic summer of unbelievable coolness just keeps continuing. Then we actually headed on down to the Eagle's Lodge for a night of swing dancing. Now that Hannah's too old to just fall asleep in her car seat on command, staying up until 11:30 doing the Lindy Hop is something is a special event. We got to catch up with (and dance with) a few of our <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/9486926458_1dd83fefed.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cathy and her boyfriend">old friends</a>, and we also got to meet Dean and Sarah's new baby girl. There was also a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/9486912132_fb368de6c6.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The contestants, everybody!">Jack and Jill</a> competition, but we had to run home and relieve someone of her babysitterly duties before we could see how that turned out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9484106239/" title="IMG_2667 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2667" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3691/9484106239_822f18e34a_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9486869864/" title="IMG_2741 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2741" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2894/9486869864_8bd566aa82_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a>
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The next day, we had a few of Vivian's <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5545/9484108905_6d963462af.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Gene and Lydia">old co-workers</a> over to our house to catch up over <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3691/9484106239_822f18e34a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Burgers, everybody!">lunch</a>. A few of them had never met Hannah before, so she got to have a new <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/9484104673_6d0c4a4858.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Rob and Sherry play grandpa and grandma, respectively.">grandma and grandpa</a> for a few hours. On Saturday night, the Perseids meteor shower was (allegedly) making its annual appearance over the Rector Ranch, so we headed on back there to spend a few hours with our usual crew of friends around the campfire. Vivian and I decided to take a brief hike off into the <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/9486892546_affc30aeea.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I can hear the Call to the Cows now.">picturesque landscape</a> just for the heck of it. Jessica kept Hannah company in the meantime and played some hilarious game that involved <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7345/9484075007_0faa3f1c98.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hey. You smell something?">smelling flowers</a> (one of which I <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3789/9484079587_a48d84e5ba.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Wildflowers!">picked</a> for Hannah on my trip back to the <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/9486866160_cd1d6ce381.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Nothing like a roaring fire to distract from the alleged meteors overhead.">campfire</a>).Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-41693683013512091442013-08-09T05:33:00.002-07:002013-08-09T06:23:46.027-07:00Stop! Hammerschlagen.<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9453859131/" title="IMG_2325 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2325" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/9453859131_e06fbdf62b_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9449426796/" title="IMG_2339 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2339" height="160" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/9449426796_526c0d56c9_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We got to have a little more family fun last week in Omaha. On Thursday, Vivian had the girls from her bible study over for the evening, so I took Hannah down to the local Chick-Fil-A for some story time with <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/9453859131_e06fbdf62b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The author is REALLY excited about her new book.">April Dodson</a>. She's an author from Colorado Springs who wrote a book called Tally the Turtle, so for whatever reason she decided to drop by Chick-Fil-A with a few books to read to any of the kids who showed up. The center of the restaurant was rearranged into a cozy story nook, but Hannah seemed a little more interested in getting a turtle-shaped balloon made by the Balloon Man around the corner.
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On Friday, Vivian took her mom out for <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/9449427922_0d04ddc769.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pretty little trees can live over there...">Canvas and Cabernet</a> at Aksarben Village as something of a belated birthday present. We'd stumbled upon the place one hot Sunday afternoon after Lindy in the Park, and it sounded like fun. They had a basic landscape everyone followed along and painted with a preset palette of colors, all while sipping a couple glasses of wine. The budding artist in me might be tempted to try such a thing down the road, mostly because I won't have to worry about cleaning and storing a bunch of brushes like I did in my art school days.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9446630923/" title="IMG_2386 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2386" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3783/9446630923_05353e3c1c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9446577005/" title="IMG_2552 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2552" height="160" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/9446577005_8635e42cf7_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On Saturday night, we headed up to the Rector Ranch for a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/9446632417_358c7fd623.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Time for cake!">joint</a> birthday / retirement party for Tamra and her dad, Royce, respectively. Tamra was turning the big three-oh, and naturally had to celebrate with our mutual group of friends with <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/9446607227_338bc3006f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Vvian serves it up.">volleyball</a>, <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5444/9446582421_c61decbec8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's a scarecrow crucifixion.">Telestrations</a> and <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2847/9446572383_a0ebc876cc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Stop! Hammertime.">Hammerschlagen</a> (apparently mandatory at the Rector Ranch). Vivian and I took turns juggling Hannah, who seemed quite enamored with the <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5468/9449403306_9ff90d819e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jon enjoys the view from the fence.">countryside</a> and open spaces, very eager to play with our <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/9449374954_60d4441fff.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah is quite happy to be here.">friends</a> and steal the <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2893/9449400660_5e834d2021.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Is anybody using this?">volleyball</a> in-between sets.<br />
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Royce had invited a bunch of his <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5451/9449408672_ba4a71d9b5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Checking out the obligatory photo album.">mutual friends</a> and co-workers as well. It seemed daunting to think about working at once company for longer than I've been alive, particularly in today's corporate culture where employees are treated more or less as a disposable resource, and anyone from a senior vice-president to an executive assistant can be shown the door at a moment's notice.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-47361358693324818642013-07-30T07:23:00.000-07:002013-09-25T07:08:59.843-07:00Winds of change<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9353831183/" title="IMG_1891 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1891" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/9353831183_ba089fa0eb_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9384962150/" title="IMG_2120 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2120" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/9384962150_cabb60ea84_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Can a Nebraskan like me ever get tired of talking about the weather? Not when it's 71 degrees in July. Earlier this week, a sweet wind of change blew through the Omaha metro area, sweeping in some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/9353825511_0e98504415.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Insert Bible verse here.">fantastic clouds</a> just in time for <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/9356604640_bbe5a11d75.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hooray!">Hannah's</a> 20-month birthday (giving us plenty of opportunity for <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3780/9356604242_a4d510273e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Found a rock!">cute pictures</a>). Along with that came a little rain and then gorgeous, fall-like conditions that provided the perfect weather for <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3790/9382175711_55a1c90558.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Swinging!">playing outside</a> and a picnic in the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/9384956570_e53ec7ff6f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Mommy rides the grasshopper.">park</a>.<br />
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The cool weather also came in time for another outdoor movie at the <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/9382177229_f5cb04d1eb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Looney Tunes at the Sumtur.">Sumtur Amphitheater</a> in Papillion. We'd already made plans to see Wreck-It Ralph with a few <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/9384962150_cabb60ea84.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The Mathis family gets comfortable.">clusters</a> of our <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/9382180247_a04e883999.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The rest of our crazy crew.">friends</a>, and the weather only helped in bringing about a record-setting crowd of <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2826/9382140853_d9fe8bd76a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Playing to a packed house on a perfect night.">over 1400 people</a>. A bunch of kids did the <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2843/9382178909_49688369f7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="How does this go again?">Crazy Dance</a> on stage (including a few we know from church) as the rest of us lounged on our blankets before the movie started. The weather was downright intoxicating, a sweet treat for late July to say the least.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9384939374/" title="IMG_2249 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2249" height="160" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/9384939374_a71e65f5f2_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9384930416/" title="IMG_2305 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_2305" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/9384930416_be169157a9_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On Saturday night, we dropped by the Reed Community Center to join in the fun of <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/9384952714_aa22e0a6ba.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The happy couple.">Merinda and Mike's</a> <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/9382170355_79463e4c5b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="One big happy family.">wedding reception</a>. It was the perfect excuse for Hannah and a few of her <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/9382159729_ee8a7c403f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="So where do these plug in?">little friends</a> to put on <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/9384935450_212670d4e1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah being more cute than necessary.">pretty dresses</a> and bring on the cute as mom and dad danced with a bunch of their <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/9384932354_abc779c7ab.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Swing dancing? Of course!">swing-dancing friends</a>. <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2865/9384931686_6122c0fbf1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Not just gypsy jazz tonight, folks.">Billy</a> also did what no other DJ could do — combine swing music and 80s favorites (and I found myself dancing more for the latter). There was a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/9384947170_b43401f2af.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Father/daughter, mother/son dance.">parent-child dance</a>, <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/9384939374_a71e65f5f2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Look out, Hannah! You gonna get trampled!">bouquet-tossing</a>, <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/9384937784_f63618716c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="...kaaaaay.">garter-grabbing</a>, <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/9384936164_3494a986da.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Danana na-na na-na...">chicken dancing</a>, the <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/9382147389_99a5e34616.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="You can get yourself clean and have a good meal!">YMCA</a>, and a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/9384925488_bd39e4f4f3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I wanna learn shim sham.">shim-sham</a>, of course, as well as plenty of retreating <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/9384933386_321a2dc11b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="That one looks like a ketchup bottle.">outside</a> to get another gulp of the gorgeous weather. It was what I hope my own wedding reception would have been — lots of fun for all our friends!
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Congrats, Merinda and Mike! Keep dancing, keep dreaming, keep loving, keep living.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-28443070499874961092013-07-25T11:00:00.000-07:002013-08-27T14:08:01.262-07:00Five year anniversary<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9327844343/" title="IMG_1683 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1683" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/9327844343_1a39b92983_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9327882335/" title="IMG_1551 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1551" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/9327882335_be1c6bb774_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a></div>
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Vivian and I celebrated a matrimonial milestone last week – five years of marriage! We got Grammy and Papa to stay with our girl for the day so we could take a brief trip up to Ashland to see some of the sights close to home, right between Lincoln and Omaha. Our first stop was to the drive-thru “safari” right off exit 426. We’d been meaning to drop by for a visit for the longest time and finally made time to see some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/9330672578_a0cfbdb307.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hey. You smell something?">elk</a>, <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9330664350_094d01ed1c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pelicans hanging out in a mucky pond.">pelicans</a>, <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/9330667196_2c1d066757.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Oh deer. Is it over 100 today?">whitetail deer</a>, and some <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/9330635392_f3368a974f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="So. Buffalo or no?">American bison</a> up close and personal, all from the comfort of our Honda Civic. We got to get a look at a few <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5340/9330655438_78e8455cf0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The symbol of our country needs a toupee.">bald eagles</a>, as well as check out some of the <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/9327833041_d56c924711.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Dude. These herbs would make some great brownies.">interesting plant life</a> that the bison much enjoy eating at the north end of the park.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9327786801/" title="P1160066 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="P1160066" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/9327786801_202fe87ff8_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9330563586/" title="P1160082 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="P1160082" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/9330563586_ab710cb095_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a></div>
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We headed across the Interstate to Mahoney State Park after we’d had our fill of flora and fauna and had some <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2867/9327814957_543f063c9d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Burgers for lunch!">lunch</a> at Kiewit Lodge. We spent a few hours at the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/9330599876_44bcb15e83.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Glub glub!">water park</a> next door after that, getting into a tousle with a fairly violent wave pool and seeing how high we could get a couple <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2845/9327786801_202fe87ff8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Watch that spray!">fountains</a> to spray by stepping on their other spouts. We also took a few trips down the <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/9327765909_717c657ce1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Whee!">water slides</a> when the lines for them weren’t unbearably long. We put on sunblock, of course, but we still managed to get burned before the end of the day, probably because we weren’t reapplying the allegedly waterproof sunblock every 80 minutes.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9327744171/" title="IMG_1801 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1801" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/9327744171_145495a785_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9327742027/" title="IMG_1804 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1804" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/9327742027_3254a4c194_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a></div>
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We worked up a sufficiently good appetite by the time we were done frolicking and headed back to Omaha for some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/9327730389_1428644b73.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Time for lobsta!">dinner</a>. We dropped by <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/9327742027_3254a4c194.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Dinner for two.">Charlie’s on the Lake</a> and picked out a couple genuine live lobsters from their tank, and then proceeded to try to <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2885/9330526780_a7f3b856ac.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Raaaaaaaah!">tear them apart</a> without making too much of an embarrassing mess. (The kind staff offered to help us, of course, but we were too darn adventurous.) We also exchanged some appropriate gifts. Vivian gave me a lovely office organizer set, as well as a combination corkscrew, bottle opener, pocket knife key chain (a very manly item, indeed). I gave her a wooden shadowbox frame of our wedding vows, which also plays Unchained Melody, as well as my traditional <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/9329835453_1f1f340266.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Our fifth year together in pen and ink.">cartoon summary</a> of our year together.
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We took a brief walk around <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7414/9330519224_3ed680de46.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The previously mentioned lake by Charlie's on the Lake.">The Lake</a> before heading home, where our girl was already fast asleep. I had one more surprise before calling it a night: the video you see below! It’s been another amazing year with my lovely soul mate, and I have to admit that every year just keeps on getting better! I love you, Vivian.<br />
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Five-year anniversary video</div>
Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-47346192604121089442013-07-24T07:00:00.000-07:002013-07-24T07:00:01.354-07:00Living large in Omaha<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9318928642/" title="IMG_1497 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1497" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7296/9318928642_1a50333943_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9318930246/" title="IMG_1496 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1496" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3778/9318930246_0d5720c3d2_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I mentioned in my last blog update that I had some big news in the works, so for those of you who don’t already know, here it is — I’m going to be in a book!<br />
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Clark Howard hosts a radio show out of Atlanta, George and deals with financial topics, specifically learning how to save more, spend less, and not get ripped off. I was first turned onto the show by my dad when I visited for Christmas in 2008. I’d wanted some fun podcasts to listen to on the flight home, and he mentioned Clark Howard. I’ve been something of a Clarkaholic ever since. Listening to the daily talk show, I’ve learned how to open a Roth IRA with a discount broker, fund it using low-cost index funds, and watch my retirement income grow over time.
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I’ve learned many other things from the show over time, but when a couple of Clark Howard’s co-authors came calling in late 2012, they wanted to talk with me about my story on investing for his new book, Living Large for the Long Haul. The book itself is a compilation of real stories from people around the country who’ve been able to “make it” during the last few years of the Great Recession. My portion of the book is used to explain investing using low-cost funds wrapped around my brief encounter with <a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6191/6095011791_82a7d0a19d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Warren Buffett">Warren Buffett</a> at the Bohemian Cafe (as well as plenty of personal tidbits). The book will be available on August 6, but since I happen to be featured in it, I got an advance copy. I haven’t had the chance to read much of the book yet (I’ve been too busy celebrating an anniversary — more on that later), but I highly recommend checking it out. From what I’ve gathered so far, most of the stories are far more interesting than mine. And if you can check Clark Howard on your radio dial, I recommending tuning in when you can. if you can’t, you can find it online at <a href="http://www.clarkhoward.com/s/podcast/clarkshow/">clarkhoward.com</a>.
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And at an online bookstore near you, of course. (Look for my story on page 128.)Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-61469400592994055282013-07-18T19:29:00.000-07:002013-08-27T14:07:24.946-07:00Baseball and sushi<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9292951854/" title="IMG_1319 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1319" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/9292951854_120901d18d_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9290182483/" title="IMG_1296 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1296" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9290182483_6866e1a779_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a>
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Vivian and I are busier than ever these days, but since it's summertime, we still have to indulge in a great American past time — <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/9292957916_8f64687c12.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Swing, batter batter batter!">baseball</a>! On Saturday, we dropped by Werner Park with a few thousand <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3789/9290161395_2fe4459436.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The Groupon section is decidedly light.">other people</a> to watch the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9290182483_6866e1a779.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hanging out with Stormy.">Stormchasers</a> pound the Round Rock Express in nine short innings. It was actually Hannah's second trip to the ballpark, but she didn't seem quite interested in the game. Instead, there was a whole children's area put on by Centris with a bounce house, a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/9290178783_081c385789.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's the baby in a bubble.">play area</a>, and a merry-go-round, where she got her very first ride. She also got her first taste of <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/9290169923_84460cd985.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I thought this was insulation.">cotton candy</a>, a treat she didn't seem to know what to do with.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9290151101/" title="IMG_1445 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1445" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/9290151101_7012906d60_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9290136333/" title="IMG_1486 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1486" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5467/9290136333_4ed091dfd4_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a>
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On Sunday, Vivian and I went by Aksarben Village for another episode of Lindy in the Park. We got to see a few <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/9292928862_d90df0f7e4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Former employees of KPTM dance it up.">familiar faces</a> for a dance or two, but our visit didn't last very long. <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/9290156855_58fed04b2c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I'll put this up for a few minutes so we can dance.">Billy</a> wound up closing the pavilion because another band was starting up just down the street at the park's amphitheater. That was fine by Hannah, though — she found the <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/9290151101_7012906d60.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Like the Bellagio!">five spouting fountains</a> on the south side of the park much more interesting. She got soaked <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/9290147117_774b7872ec.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Feeling the spray.">splashing</a> around in them, and dad even got into the action, running through the fountains like a <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2885/9292918194_dd04e9e4e8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ooh, that's cold!">goofball</a> just to make his daughter crack up for the camera.<br />
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That evening, we went out to a sushi celebration dinner with our mutual friends <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5467/9290136333_4ed091dfd4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="All you can eat sushi? Oh yeah.">Phil and Jen</a>. Hannah got to have her very first taste of <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/9290132599_c41e8c0d40.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's first sushi!">sushi</a> in the form of a few avocado rolls, which she seemed to like. She also got to taste <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/9290134317_5d9b91b45b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Not a picky eater by any means.">squid</a> for the very first time. That's one thing that make me proud of my little girl — she's not afraid to try new things, mostly because mom and dad have introduced her to just about every kind of food the doctor allows. Yum!<br />
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And speaking of "yum," on Wednesday we had <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3823/9316141181_acc54ecd54.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Paella!">paella</a> at our house to celebrate Donna's birthday. And <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/9316129435_b75f9132c2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="So decadent...">chocolate mocha cheesecake</a>. It was sort of a coffee-themed birthday, from the collection of k-cup beverages we gave to the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/9316134373_352c7a2881.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="My handiwork.">cartoon</a> I doodled up for Donna's <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/9318924616_f7337b4691.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Checking out Grammy's card.">birthday card</a>.<br />
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I have some other news in the works, but it's big enough to warrant its own entry in my blog. More on that later.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-10244125614235072652013-07-07T20:28:00.001-07:002013-07-07T21:17:36.839-07:00Independence Weekend<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9228713336/" title="IMG_0473 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0473" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/9228713336_8505b17ebe_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9225900549/" title="IMG_0551 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0551" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/9225900549_fac897f883_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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It's been a star-spangled week for us here in Omaha. With several days off and beautiful weather, the Johnson family and our band of mutual friends have been living it up and enjoying all the explosion-y goodness that this red, white, and blue city had to offer.<br />
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We kicked things off on Wednesday by taking Hannah down to <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/9228407708_f3ed1d558a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Plenty of room to run around!">Rivers Edge Park</a> in council Bluffs to check out some fireworks. They had some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/9225915097_9988487998.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Blue balloon bear!">balloon animals</a> and <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/9228713336_8505b17ebe.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="All aboard!">train ride</a> for the kids along the riverfront, but Hannah seemed mostly interested in playing with <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/9228698084_d3530415b7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Playing with sand.">sand</a> and running around before our friends arrived. We sat on the same patch of green where we watched the Beach Boys a few weeks earlier, and some time after the sun went down, the sky lit up with <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/9225900549_fac897f883.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Fireworks above the stadium.">fireworks</a> over the new ballpark downtown. It was a nice way to kick off what we be a long, Independence Day weekend, though the jam-packed traffic on the way out took over an hour for us to push our way through. Maybe next time we ought to park down at the casino and just walk.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9228646524/" title="IMG_0652 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0652" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/9228646524_2aa438ed89_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9228615468/" title="IMG_0728 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0728" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7400/9228615468_1d0819537c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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Vivian's folks invited us over for a Fourth of July <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/9228675450_e3267fbf1d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Fourth of July lunch">luncheon</a> of <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2858/9228679068_33030c91d1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jack grills up the burgers.">burgers</a> and all-American <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/9228673208_4da317b8e7.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="All-American dessert!">apple pie</a>. Hannah marked the occasion by playing with a tea set for the first time and eating her very first ice cream cone. We left her with "Mimi and Papa" for the evening as Vivian and I went off to blow some things up with our friends.
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Jenny had organized a party at <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/9225885889_051d4ccccc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Cozy house pushed way off from the street.">Ben's house</a> to say both Happy Birthday to her roommate <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/9225626461_e07b335ed0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Libby checks out my birthday card.">Libby</a> and farewell to <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/9228631146_ae43f37749.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A beer firework? All right.">Keith</a>, who was moving to Idaho for reasons still unclear to most of us (it has something to do with mountain biking). Jenny brought out a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/9225871179_85c171198d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jenny's patriotic cake!">patriotic cake</a> with a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/9225867253_90601d0388.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I can hear it. Now turn it off!">musical candle</a> (that would not shut up), and shortly thereafter we broke out the sparkly thing. Everyone had the chance to paint the air with <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/9225822045_14bb73719f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's a star!">sparklers</a>, fire off <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/9228404772_b24293a79e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pew, pew!">Roman candles</a>, and fill the sky with a bunch of <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/9228612614_255e526733.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A couple bombs bursting in air.">artillery shells</a>. Someone even brought "homemade" fireworks that were made essentially of gunpowder in vinyl triangles, creating the perfect opportunity for someone to lose a couple fingers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9225795195/" title="IMG_0892 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0892" height="160" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/9225795195_7f9c49ae11_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9225619971/" title="IMG_1035 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_1035" height="160" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/9225619971_b4d4f7e910_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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On Friday night, a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3722/9225754301_a25c286ae6.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Crowd 'round the blankets!">bunch of our friends</a> returned to Elmwood Park to indulge in another performance of Shakespeare on the Green (because once is never enough). This time around, we saw a musical (and whimsically modern-looking) rendition of Twelfth Night. Since this performance was decidedly more family friendly than the gruesome Titus Andronicus, and this happened to be a holiday weekend, the crowd was decidedly larger than before. I came early enough to get a fairly decent spot in the nearly record-breaking <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/9228539520_7639bbb81f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's a packed house tonight.">crowd of 4,000+</a>. A bunch of us decided to try on some <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/9228580686_645e346fd6.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Is that a dagger I see before me?">old-timey clothes</a> at one pavilion and then the <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/9225795195_7f9c49ae11.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="All for one!">girls</a> engaged in a little <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/9225797357_d95927d5a9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jenny takes a stab at it.">swordplay</a> with one another. (The girls especially seemed to enjoy this.) A <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/9228586870_5c563363ec.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Answering questions.">panel of instructors</a> answered Shakespeare-related questions, and a troop of 8-12 year olds from <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5472/9225790425_0ed4323bd9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Here, Peter Quince!">Camp Shakespeare</a> performed a few scenes from A Midsummer Night's Dream for us as well. The wandering singers and juggler <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7429/9228561302_deb919bf36.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jek Kelly and his juggling stick.">Jek Kelly</a> were also on hand, as usual, and we even learned that everyone's favorite juggler will be retiring this year. He got a tearful standing ovation in response to that news.<br />
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The play itself was <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2805/9228482502_eec0e6b348.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A terrible fight to the death...">delightful</a>, of course, with an <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5466/9228490972_4bfdde0df3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Yellow socks! Yellow socks, I say!">enthusiastic</a> <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5535/9225619971_b4d4f7e910.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Smile, darn ya!">cast</a> and plenty of fun, hip <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/9228501044_9ba32f3561.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Gangnam style!">songs</a> to go along with the 400 year old comedy. As with Titus, I didn't bother to read much of the synopsis before watching the show, but I was still able to follow it fairly well. The play ended with the cast dancing into a curtain call, and then our own group decided to have an impromptu dance session right on our blankets as we waited for the rest of the crowd to thin out before heading for home.
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On Saturday morning, we joined our friends Randy and Jolene to celebrate their son Timothy's <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/9225615017_33ceba8208.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Timthoy's birthday cake!">third birthday</a> down at <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/9228410754_6fa016e795.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Lake Zorinsky">Lake Zorinsky</a>. <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/9225680909_6a0be4f517.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah's ready to run through a puddle!">Timothy and Hannah</a> seem to get along quite well despite being about a year and a half apart in age. <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/9225673369_962ec1602b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Randy mans the grill.">Randy</a> grilled up burgers and hot dogs for everyone, which we tried to eat while trying to keep everything from blowing away with the gale force wind that ripped through our <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/9228397120_e45516f3bd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Our windy little pavilion.">pavilion</a>. Timothy also opened a bunch of presents, which included some Bible stories from Vivian and me and a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5445/9225635137_7bee358b83.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Timothy's new, red wagon!">Radio Flyer wagon</a> that Randy put together on site so Hannah and Timothy could go for a <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7332/9228411984_fa5d8f8688.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hannah and Timothy go for a ride.">ride</a>.<br />
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We wound up resting up for the rest of the weekend. After so many days and nights filled with fun, it actually felt great just to stay in a night or two before starting another busy week.
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<br />Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-74097961823675835992013-07-01T12:53:00.000-07:002013-08-27T14:11:14.568-07:00Bloody good shows!Things have been busy and fun in Omaha, with so many events happening that Vivian and I haven't even been able to attend them all. One specifically was a very important Centennial anniversary that occurred over the weekend — the 100-year celebration of the Lincoln Highway! Apparently, a bunch of classic cars took a tour down the old brick road in West Omaha, and even the Omaha Jitterbugs made an appearance to dance for the occasion out by Saddle Creek. Wish I could have been there.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9162479495/" title="IMG_0105 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0105" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/9162479495_b400fb7cbc_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9162469463/" title="IMG_0166 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0166" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/9162469463_7eb650c076_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a></div>
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On Friday night, Vivian and I took Hannah up to <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5441/9162483875_3719b198ba.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Vivian and Hannah join the crowd.">Memorial Park</a> for Bank of the West's annual <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/9162462957_8f7ca7939a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="You guys ready to rock?">concert</a> and fireworks show. I'd dropped by around lunchtime to put down a blanket in advance while Hannah visited some friends at Friendship Program for "take your kid to work day" with Mommy. That evening, we got to enjoy a couple hours of rocking 80s music with <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2892/9162477979_88a8077e76.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Mike Reno and his crew are working for the weekend.">Loverboy</a> and <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9164688962_bd067af867.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Pat Benatar and husband/lead guitarist Neil Giraldo">Pat Benatar</a>. Memorial Park was host to <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5460/9162491203_821bd4f247.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hey, there's Waldo!">tens of thousands</a> of people crowded around for the free show, so we naturally bumped into a few <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/9162489967_d35900a742.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Marilou and her girls">friends</a> on the way up. Our blanket was pretty close to the stage, so I had to find a way to <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/9162488843_3253842f0b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Huh? I can't hear you!">plug</a> Hannah's 19-month old ears, which wasn't easy. I think next time we might place ourselves a little farther back in the park, where Hannah seemed to enjoy <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/9164699672_79600cf727.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Happy just kickin' it in the grass.">picking clover</a>. A couple of Vivian's <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/9164684654_17f2e37323.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Sally and company.">friends</a> dropped in to share our space as the sun went down on the park, and then some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7365/9164682954_feb9ed7f53.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Fireworks light the night sky.">fireworks</a> hit the sky the dazzle the crowd after the show was over. This was the first time Hannah had seen real, live fireworks, so she was happily <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/9162461043_275f19306f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Oooh! Aaah!">mesmerized</a> before we began the trudge back home amidst the thousands of people clogged Dodge Street.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9172688200/" title="IMG_0313 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0313" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/9172688200_76965c73ae_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9170442219/" title="IMG_0357 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0357" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5465/9170442219_8fc31b7149_m.jpg" height="160" width="240" /></a></div>
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On Saturday, we partook in another fun <i>put-your-blanket-down-in-a-park-and-enjoy-a-free-show</i> type of event: <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/9170441095_64581b6c73.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Take a bow, everyone! It was a bloody good show.">Shakespeare on the Green</a>! I usually enjoy setting up our spot hours before the show starts and then enjoying a long afternoon of reading in gorgeous weather before people start to arrive. We had a smaller crowd this time around, since <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/9172679358_f8bcb4fe9b.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Friends, Romans, lend me your hands.">Titus Andronicus</a> is decidedly for <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3737/9172665662_3d4671a48e.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron's going to be hanging around for a while.">mature audiences only</a> (so no families with kiddos). Joining our <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/9172682818_5a1b214e81.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Joining us for Shakespeare and a picnic.">blanket</a> were Phil and Jen, Jessica, and Jon Paper, all with various things to nibble. Juggler <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2828/9170475439_ff98cd27cd.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Juggler Jek Kelly, an annual participant.">Jek Kelly</a> and singers <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2862/9170474425_a0f81f19a0.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The Madrigali et al singers">Madrigali et al</a> wandered the crowd before the show, per tradition, and then Two-Minute Shakespeare hit the stage with some very lively (and abbreviated) performances of <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7448/9172688200_76965c73ae.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Double, double, toil and trouble...">Macbeth</a>, <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7396/9172689258_63ce396a6d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="He looks just like me!">Titus</a>, <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/9172693534_f6f3ba597c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A Midsummer Night's Dream. I think.">A Midsummer Night's Dream</a>, and <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5513/9172691458_c0f8f14db9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Et tu, Lambchop?">Julius Caesar</a>. The show itself was <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5517/9172673500_c3a70695b4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="All right, you've made your point, dad!">bloody magnificent</a>. I knew nothing about the play before it started other than the level of violence, but I was able to follow the twisted tale of <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3834/9172664982_d5581fea13.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Tamora plays the role of Revenge.">revenge</a> without any trouble at all. The dress was traditional for first century Rome, and all the players were very convincing in their roles. I should congratulate director Vincent Carlson-Brown for making the blocking on stage so <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3823/9170451625_52ba0aedc3.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Lots of dramatic looking-at-each-others.">picture-worthy</a>. I'm only glad I had my <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/9170448137_ea14dc10cc.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Aaron's gonna get him some Gothic love.">telephoto lens</a>.<br />
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We had such a great time that we might just come back to see the comedy Twelfth Night next week. We'll see.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-242272040082678872.post-10831307473760135272013-06-27T20:08:00.000-07:002013-09-05T11:53:40.664-07:00Ponca State Park<div class="picpair">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9132271558/" title="IMG_9024 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9024" height="160" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/9132271558_6c2b40a0c9_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9130045593/" title="IMG_9092 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9092" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/9130045593_267515ab11_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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It wouldn't be a complete summer without at least one camping trip put together by everyone's favorite Happy Camper, Jenny. This year, we elected to go to Ponca State Park, a place I'd visited a couple times while living up in Wayne, America. It's the home of tall trees, tall views, and tall grass all around our campsite. Vivian and I headed on up late Friday in time for a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/9132270208_5a42709d0a.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Roaring fire on a hot night.">campfire</a>, hot dogs, and a spectacular viewing of <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2866/9132271558_6c2b40a0c9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Super Moon!">Super Moon</a>, which shone down on us like a lunar spotlight, making flashlights almost unnecessary.<br />
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That evening, however, a thunderstorm blew threw our campsite, turning muggy and hot to actually quite chilly overnight. Dan and Katie brought a <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2840/9130050207_f297762236.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Hot breakfast on a cold morning.">propane grill</a> that made breakfast burritos possible in the morning, and <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/9132258582_80c90babd6.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Vivian brings on the Spam!">Vivian</a> dished up <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/9130054885_50b6b091fb.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Spam for everybody!">Spam</a> for everybody. I was quite surprised not everyone had eaten the stuff posing as meat before.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9132238468/" title="IMG_9158 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9158" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7366/9132238468_1426c4115f_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9132097204/" title="IMG_9236 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9236" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/9132097204_f7abd7bd97_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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In-between storms, we headed down to the lodge to buy a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/9132246752_64db3c1de1.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Tamra is a Happy Camper!">souvenir</a> or two and then spend an hour doing <a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9132243090_04ce3f248d.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Happy ladies">group photos</a> by the <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/9130029465_2226845f5c.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The Towers of Time">Towers of Time</a> monument. We hiked through the woods long enough to get <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/9130017217_f3a2f1c3b6.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="OK, GPS says we go that way...">lost</a> by the pool, and then I managed to sneak a peek at the view of the <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/9132214770_afee211591.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="The view from the overlook.">Missouri River</a> before the next storm hit. Of course, we had to walk <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/9130012957_bb8889981f.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Slooooooow doooooooown...">slowly</a>.<br />
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We retreated to town for ice cream as other camping guests showed up. Once the rain was done happening (again), a couple of us went for a dip in the <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7383/9132220706_48bf12e1f4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="How's the water, Vivian?">pool</a> as everyone else went down to the sandbar to see the river up close and personal. That evening, <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/9132193666_2aca404d67.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Jon blowing big old bubbles.">Jon</a> brought out some <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5529/9132198838_b1615a9db9.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Big old bubbles!">Big Bubbles</a> as potatoes and burgers <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7405/9132176082_79278d83a4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Vivian handles the grill.">cooked over by the fire</a>, providing ample amount of goofy <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/9129990627_805eab54bf.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Looking through the bubble!">photo opportunities</a> for everyone around. We had a <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/9132173134_9a8d6b25b4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="A bunch of Happy Campers."><span id="goog_338920195"></span>group photo<span id="goog_338920196"></span></a> or <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/9129961105_844f541486.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Yeah, that's us!">two</a> before people started taking off, and then had quality time with s'mores around the campfire before camping it up for the night.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9129944049/" title="IMG_9657 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9657" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/9129944049_cc7937fe3f_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9152906521/" title="IMG_9687 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9687" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/9152906521_b3222da6d9_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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The next day, those of us left (Vivian and me and Libby and Jon) headed into the park to throw some <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/9129949393_10e7bd6abf.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Fling!">tomahawks</a> around. I swear, there's something therapeutic about flinging a large, deadly, sharp object into a <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5483/9132153646_9e396b4f35.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="I'm a lumberjack, and I'm OK.">tree stump</a>, and after a few tries we all seemed to get the hang of it. Around the corner, people were trying out some <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/9132146880_d37bd0d4b2.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Packing in the powder.">muzzle-loading rifles</a>, which were a bit tricky to load. <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/9132144860_b20e9743c8.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Libby takes aim.">Libby</a>, <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/9132142880_5680a75f29.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Vivian gets ready to pull the trigger.">Vivian</a>, and <a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5346/9132148298_b3f07f3bb5.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Ready, aim...">Jon</a> all got to try firing a couple off. Then Libby and Jon squared off in some random bout of <a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/9132135598_d9711a3996.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Eeeeeeeeah!">Mortal Combat</a> before we called it a day.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9132092962/" title="P1160001 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="P1160001" height="160" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7320/9132092962_9ef9b53852_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cornstalker/9129900055/" title="IMG_9843 by cornstalker, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9843" height="160" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/9129900055_105fb87ec6_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>
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Of course, since we were only a few miles away from Martinsburg, we had to drop by Bob's Bar for a quick lunch of Big Burger and a big plate of onion rings. Libby and Jon had never been there and were quite suspicious whether it were a real restaurant, just from the curb appeal, but that's all part of the charm. We headed on back to Bellevue and had <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3735/9132091460_840e188233.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="How's that rib, Hannah?">tasty ribs</a> for <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/9132102034_68582b92ff.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Dinner with Jack and Donna.">dinner</a> with Jack and Donna, who had been kind enough to watch <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/9129912629_be54d4fab4.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="19 months old, now!">Hannah</a> for the weekend. Our little girl turned 19 months, and we celebrated by letting her <a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/9129897791_aa05b797da.jpg" rel="lightbox" title="Glug glug glug...">drink from the hose</a> for the first time.<br />
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Another camping trip success! Next year, though, we have to try horseback riding. Hopefully the weather will cooperate the next time around.Matt Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11246833810105269142noreply@blogger.com0