Labor Day in Nebraska

We drove to Nebraska to spend Labor Day weekend with Scotty's folks (Brad, DD and the twins came too); it was fabulous!  We had many a rest stop for all the little bladders in our carpool,  and I kept trying to remind myself that "the joy is in the journey" but I will admit that I did't always feel happiness well up within me when I heard a "Mommy, I need to go to the bathroom" from the backseat. ;-)  However, the stops were a nice opportunity to discover new areas along I-80 and stretch our legs along the way.  And it truly was a joy to finally arrive in NE and be with family!!  Scott and Lisa usually come out our way to MI, so it was nice to be on their turf in NE and enjoy spending time in their home.  They were super-duper hospitable, spoiled us rotten and overfed us (which we all accepted without any complaints). :-)

1 mile down, several hundred more to go!

Found a field to run around in at one of our rest stops.

Dancing marionettes just outside a bathroom break.

Filling up Mr. Van at a gas station.

Enjoying the nice weather along the way.

Arrived in NE with some daylight to spare.

Checking into our hotel (an hour away from our final destination the next day).

Scotty taking us out for dinner and ice cream.

A new day and a new location - grandma and grandpa's!!

Just chillaxin' and snuggling at the pool.

A new day - a quick visit to Great g'pa & g'ma Aulners, yay!

A trip to the Henry Doorly Zoo...SO cool! (Even though it was hot out.) ;-)

Daddies on stroller duty.

Looking at the new baby elephants.

Enamored by the penguins...

...as big as a penguin!

Spying the sharks above us in the aquatic tunnel.

A turtle taking a closer look at Micah. 

King of the jungle!

A new day and homeward bound (Scotty checking tire pressure and
Amber waiting for clean clothes after her blow-out, ha!)

Scotty found a place to play for a bit along our journey home.

Collecting acorns.

Enjoying the breeze.