Bryan and Brandon went to Husker game on Sept 4. The night before we stayed at the husker headquarter hotel Em*bassy Suites in downtown. They have pre-game festivities the night before a game there. Chelsey & Brittney got their picture taken with Lil Red and we also got to see the hot dog shooter. 
Where but in Nebraska can you ride a cattle tank down a river with good friends, lunch and lots of snacks, and a cooler full of pop?? We had a great time!! The kids didn't really ride much they floated or walked down most of the way. I think this needs to be a yearly summer activity???!!
Playing with his sister in the sand
How can 16 years have gone by so fast?? I can't believe that Brandon is 16 already. He wanted to celebrate his birthday by going to a Nebraska Cornhusker game, so he and Bryan went for the opening game on September 4th. We went to Lincoln the night before and spent the night at the Em*bassy Suites in downtown Lincoln and then they went to the game the next day. The day of his birthday he wanted to go to the river so we invited the "cousins" to come and they all had a really fun time. We celebrated with gifts and cake in the evening. The highlight was getting his drivers license on the following tuesday!! Happy 16th Birthday--Brandon!!!!
Brittney, 4th grade
Courtney, 7th grade
Dylan, freshman
Brandon, Sophomore
Kendall & Chelsey
Courtney and Jadyn
Waiting in line to go to their classroom
School started and we had a couple of firsts in our family. Chelsey's 1st day of school in kindergarten and Dylan's first day of high school. Chelsey was a little nervous going to school but she had her good friend Kendall with her so that helped a lot. Most of the kids in her class had gone to preschool but she didn't and so didn't know what to expect. She was excited to come and tell me all about her first day and has been excited everyday since also. She is pretty worn out by the end of the day. It is going to be a big adjustment for me also as I don't have anybody at home anymore. I have had kids home for the past 16 years, now hopefully I can get some long overdue projects done.
Bryan and Brandon arrived home from their missions trip about 3:00 AM July 31, they had a great trip. A few things that they did were help with some painting and other projects at a church, work at the Nashville rescue mission, hand out food to the homeless, and just try to meet people and share Jesus with them wherever they went. It was a growing experience for Brandon and his excitement for Jesus is great!! I sure hope that the light doesn't fade and that he and the whole group are really fired up to share Jesus wherever they are.
Checking out how many lightning bugs they have
Brittney, Jamie, & Chelsey swimming
Courtney going down the slide
Chelsey going off the diving board
Chelsey & Kendall before day camp
Brittney & Jamie before day camp
The kids had a fun time swimming in our pool in the backyard this summer. Well it is actually a cattle tank but it was a lot of fun for them. We also were able to go to some swimming pools in our area (our town is getting a new pool so no pool this summer) a few times. Chelsey was able to go off the diving board with a lifejacket on and she loved that. The kids also loved the tall and fast slide, they would see how far they could skim on the top of the water at the end--Dylan was pretty good!! 
Prayer before they leave
Bryan and Brandon are on their way to Tennesse with a group of 30 from our church and a church in York. They were not exactly sure what they were doing when they left but think they will be working with a homeless shelter, street evangelism, and possibly some contruction projects. It is a very exciting adventure for both of them and hope that they are able to share Christ with many people this week.
