Natalia Visits with Ayden, and Boys: April 11-18

 Natalia was here for a week, from Saturday 4/11 to Saturday 4/18.  We had great weather and tried to do something everyday she was here.  

Saturday she came in late but we still got together at our house. Sunday we went to church, and then a visit to Mormon Trail Visitors Center and the Winter Quarters Temple and cemetery, followed by Sunday dinner at our house and then a visit to a neighborhood park.  

Monday we visited Lauritzen Garden.  We went all the way to the end, which I had never done before.  Six trolls line the path.  I visited the Lithuanian Sculpture Garden.  There are many other statues.  Workers were very busy as they are grooming and planting in preparation for summer.  Later Charity's boys came over and the girls went to Miranda's for a sleep over make up party.

Tuesday we visited Gene Leahy Park to the archway park and then the kids walked over to go down the slides.  I walked a bit further and went to the sculpture garden and later through the underpass and saw the Gene Leahy Park dog park and visited the visitor center.  I did not make it to the Heartland Park and pier.  We went to the movie to see the new Mario and then had dinner at Charity's.

Wednesday was our fist zoo day.  Sheri paid for a train ride and a merry-go-round ride.  We also saw the aquarium and the orangutan and ape houses.  Charity came over and Riley and I watched bird videos.  We went to American Heroes Park and I walked the history trail.

Thursday we visited the Omaha Childrens Museum.  It is larger than the Modesto Childrens Museum.  Kids especially liked the imaginative play store, train track, water way, the balls shooting out through vacuums, make up, and many other games.  Thursday night was movie night and we watched the original Mario.  The women, Sheri and all three daughters, went out to eat.  

Friday was a second trip to the zoo.  We saw the alligator swamps under the desert dome, and then also toured the Lied rain forest.  Friday night we swam at the Lied Activity Center and then celebrated Grandson's birthday with dinner and cake and pie.  

Saturday Natalia had an early flight.  She spent the morning packing.  Charity and kids came over to make sure we said goodbye well.  Miranda also came over.

Lauritzen Garden April 2026

 It was still early in the year, but we had lots of fun at Lauritzen Garden.  We saw all the trolls, played at the playground, and the water park, and saw the Missouri River.  We saw Fuji Mountain, lots of daffodils, the trolls, a Lithuanian wooden sculpture garden, and lots of statues.

Fuji Mountain replica

Missouri

Trolls at Lauritzen Garden

 There are six trolls at Lauritzen Garden.  If the stuck to there schedule the left this past week.  You have to walk all the way to the end of the trail at Lauritzen to see all six trolls.  They were created by Thomas Dambo of recycled materials.  The trolls are subtitled "Save the Humans". They each teach people about how to care for the environment.  

In the Conservatory at Lauritzen Garden

The Conservatory is that area under glass by the main entrance.  It has different types of habitat, including desert. It also has ponds and water features.

We had cholla outside out neighborhood in Kingman.

Sonoran desert

Welcome to Omaha/Bellevue: First Visit to Lauritzen Garden.

 Lauritzen Garden is opposite side of the freeway fro Doorly Zoo.  Consequently is is also very close to Charity's home.  We went for story time, so the admission was free.  The story was fun, and the gardens are spectacular.  There was no way to see the entire garden.  Currently they have an exhibit of topiaries--plants molded to look like animals.  We saw flamingoes, a lion, fish and a wolf.  I would guess we got through about half a quarter of the park.  I really enjoyed watching the model trains as several different trains went around the many tracks.