Trip to the Homeland

We just returned from a trip to visit many of our family and friends in Nebraska. Evidently the state knew we were coming, because the weather was positively perfect! Yet somehow the bugs had been informed of our sweet arrival too, because the mosquittos were waiting. I've never seen so many in all my life! I went for a 1/4 mile walk with mom (that is we went out for a walk and turned back after less than a 1/4 mile) and came home with 18 new bites!

But barring the bugginess, we had a wonderful time catching up with family and friends. The First Annual Nebraska Christian Alumni Volleyball and Basketball tournaments were dominated by the Francl presence. We didn't have the chance to win the volleyball tournament, though because one of our key players - Keri - twisted her ankle and it swelled up like a marshmallow in a microwave. Seriously, I've never seen an ankle swell so quickly. But fortunately, by the end of the next day, Keri seemed to be on the mend. We left Skippy (Keegan's dog) happily injury free this trip home, but Keri with her ankle and Ryan and Russ with sore bodies from basketball didn't fare so well.

The 4th of July festivites were wonderful. Kim and Dad set off a lovely display of fireworks on the 2nd for Chase, Mom and me. We had a seance in celebration. In an effort to calm our neurotic dogs, I tried drugging them with sleeping pills. This seemed to calm Fraz just a little, but it practically stoned Brook. She woke up the next morning with droopy eyes, and she didn't fully wake up (poor thing) until around noon. Next time I think only Fraz will get the pills. We decided to leave the dogs at Mom and Dad's and head to the Francl's for the day of the 4th - Ryan had some really loud explosives to try out. Mr. Coffee and the old refriderator didn't fare so well, but the "kids" (aka Ryan, Russ, Chase and the kids) had a great time experiementing with them. We ended the trip with a fine fireworks display put on by the "kids" culminating in a very impressive finish called "the Whole Sheebang."

Thanks to all for a wonderful trip, for arranging your schedules to see us, for feeding us, for putting up with our antics. We love you!