Time Flies When You're Having Fun

With Samantha's homecoming just around the corner, my family decided that in lieu of a long vacation to Colorado like we have done in the past, it would be better to stay close to home.  So, my parents treated us to a staycation and we enjoyed the sights and sounds of our very own Nebraska.  On day 1 after enjoying a yummy brunch at the Wheatfields in the Old Market, Omaha,

we went to the Durham Museum.  It's located at the site of what used to be Omaha's Union Station.  In the 1930's it was one of the busiest stations in the country.  We were able to tour one of the passenger trains and hear from a guide about its history. 

Scott and Natalie enjoying the comforts of the car that the wealthy traveled on.

The dining car used by the upper class.

This is the parlor car where passengers could come to enjoy a drink and conversation with other travelers.

This is the car that the middle class people rode on (comparable to coach on an airplane).  Located above the seats are sleeping quarters.

Here we are on a trolley

 After we had seen all the museum had to offer, we enjoyed ice cream sodas in an old fashioned soda shop located in the museum. 

After spending the day in Omaha we drove about an hour away to NE City where we stayed at the Lied Lodge and enjoyed the lush trails of the Arbor Day Farm.  As we set out on our first excursion I looked down and saw what looked like a worm at first glance.  Then I noticed that it slithered and discovered it was in fact a baby snake! 

So cool, especially since it was only a baby.

The first thing we did was follow the trail to the Canopy Tree House.

Enjoying the view from the top.

Even though it was extremely hot that day, we enjoyed the scenic trails while sipping on cold apple cider made from the apples from the farm's trees.

Taking a much needed break on a bigger than life spider web.

Admiring a fairy house.

After working up a sweat on the trails, we cooled off in the pool.  

On the final day of our staycation the girls played a nature melody in the nature explore classroom.

Then we visited the Lied Greenhouse to claim our complimentary Blue Spruce Trees.

There is a Colorado Blue Spruce in each of those containers.  Therefore the chances of at least one living is greater, or I'm more likely to kill 4 trees.  However you want to look at it.

Finally, before heading home, we visited the Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.  In the middle of an historic heat wave, we were blessed with beautiful weather that day. I don't think it got out of the 80's, a godsend if you ask me because we have been in the middle of a hellish (sorry, that is the only word I can use to describe it) streak of triple digits every day.  The 80's felt like Fall.  To further prove my point that God was looking down on us that day, it is back in the triple digits today.  

The girls monkeying around in the Lied Jungle. 

 I am so thankful for the chance to get away with my family and escape the mundane of everyday life for a couple of days.  I am also incredibly grateful for the fact that for those 3 days the fun we had made time fly and I am that much closer to boarding a plane, with my sister, to Bulgaria.  NEXT FRIDAY we begin our journey to bring Sam home.  TWO weeks from today is Sam's freedom day and I get to be there to witness her deliverance into her mom's arms.  God is so good and only He could weave such a beautiful story; one that I get to be a part of.  Thankful doesn't even begin to describe it.  

*** To see the rest of the pictures from our vacation click here.