Life has been very crazy the last month! I can't believe I did not get Caleb's first day of school pictures posted or share any of his fun stuff going on. Caleb is in 2nd grade this year and has Mrs. Berreckman. He is really enjoying her class. One of his favorite thing about 2nd grade is that each student has their own ipad to use. They do lots of math games and reading on them along with games. Caleb got to participate in the Pass, Punt and Kick event at school. He did not make the top 3 in any of the categories, but said he had a blast playing football with his friends. Over the summer Cozad Elementary was awarded a grant from BuleCross and BlueShield of Nebraska to build an outdoor fitness center (that is also open to the community!) as part of Project Fit America. On October 3, Caleb will be singing at the dedication ceremony. He is very excited! The Governor will be there along with it being televised. I know no details regarding channel, time or if it will be available in Omaha. Sorry!

First day of 2nd grade

  Over Labor Day weekend we attended Family Camp here at Camp Comeca. Family Camp has been held for over 50 years. Most of the families that attend started when the now grand parents were young and bringing their little kids. It is a fun weekend filled with lots of fellowship, singing, kids on bikes and break out sessions for both kids and adults. Caleb and Chase were in separate classes and got to meet some cool kids. Caleb even got to build a rocket out of pop bottles and launched it in the green space! One of our favorite activities was playing games as a family and John and Caleb competed in the relay races.

Caleb had to suck up cheerios as fast as he could

John pushing his orange down and back

Carson and Cecilia taking a turn at yard yahtzee

John helping Caleb decide what set of numbers to go with

 

 

I also got to take the girls to Oklahoma City for a wedding earlier this month. My Mom, Bob and Auntie Kelly let us carpool with them. Thanks for driving Mom! We were packed to the MAX with both girls car seats and 4 adults plus all our bags. The girls did great in the car on the way down and on the way back. While the girls and I were gone one of the summer counselors came out to help John with the boys while he worked. The boys had a blast with special dad time and hanging out with Olivia.

 

Doing a little site seeing

Cecilia having a good time at the reception

 

Camryn would not smile for Auntie Kelly

Me and my girls

 

While getting ready for the wedding my mom got the call no child ever wants to get. My grandma (the one who lives in RedOak, IA) had passed away earlier that day. Despite getting this news we went to the wedding and reception and had a very good time with family. After 8 hours in the car to get home we turned around 2 days later to go to grandma's visitation and funeral. We were in Omaha/ RedOak for 48 hours and drove back home. It took both the girls and I a little time to recover after so many hours in the car! I am so thankful we made the time to go see her on our last trip to Omaha and got pictures of her and all my kids. I love and miss you Grandma!

 

Grandma with my family

 

John has put in some VERY LONG hours this month. The UMC Great Plains extended cabinet was out at the beginning of the month. They are not a demanding group, but if there is a group we want to really impress it is this one. The same day the cabinet left, all the camp directors from Nebraska and Kansas met to do I am not sure what. After they left John tried to drain the pool for painting. Well, of course the pool did not cooperate. John and Pat eventually had to go get a pump to drain the pool. Talk about a pain in the butt. What should have taken 1 day (pool draining itself) took 4 days! All this pool stuff happened while the girls and I were gone, so then we find out about grandma and now John has to get as much of the pool power washed and ready to paint for us to be able to go to the funeral. John put in 3 consecutive 10 hour days to get it ready. He was beat and we were only 2 weeks in to the month of September! While we were in Omaha we heard about the flood water in the Platte River and that it was going to be really bad. We got home Thursday night to beat the potential flood. I am happy to report that the river has not come over the bridge, but is way out of its banks and lots of the pastures around the river have standing water. That same Sunday was the Buffalo BBQ. John and Pat put in more hours getting the pool finished up and ready for water to be put back in and getting the buffalo meat and pork ready. We had a good turn out for the BBQ. Lots of families came out to see just how good camp is looking. John gets a little break this weekend since no groups are here.

This is the north channel of the Platte River

This is the south channel

 

This is the pasture at the corner to head to camp.

 

 

I will post more in the days to come. The 49ers are playing, must go cheer on our team!

 

Love,

The Butler