Our Nebraska Family

A view from the house...saw the most amazing sunsets while we were there

The house and one of the out buildings (where we set up camp)

When Jay and I met 12.5 years ago, he was living in a town called Kearney, Nebraska and going to school at the University.  Hence his Husker pride.  He would occasionally go to his cousin Dave's place in McCook, where he originally lived and started his schooling.  He would help Dave and his wife Darla with things around the farm.  So it was no question when we learned of our orders to the east coast that we would stop along the way to visit this family that I'd heard so much about but had only exchanged Christmas cards, baby shower and graduation gifts.  We arrived Monday and planned on staying the following day because snow was expected, but turns out the snow missed us and the day was sunny and beautiful...a perfect crisp fall day in the country...and our stay extended two extra days.  We could barely tear ourselves away from the farm.  Dave and Darla and their son, Dylan, were so gracious and welcoming....we felt right at home.  We parked the RV in their large barn and camped out there.  The boys had so much fun doing "farm" stuff and chasing the barn kittens and petting horses and feeding cows....and driving four wheelers.  They were always busy at "Aunt" Darla and "Uncle" Dave's.  The first evening we were there, we got to accompany them in the back of the pick up while they brought bales of hay to the cows via tractor.  The boys thought that was the coolest thing and I knew they were hooked.  One day I decided to ride with Darla in the Polaris Ranger and white-knuckled it the entire time.  She was so cool and calm and I was totally freaking out internally as she would navigate over ridges and hills to herd the cattle into the other field.  I was such a rookie and my inexperience showed!  Embarrassing....

Dave hard at work

Zac could not leave those poor kittens alone!

Scotty driving Darla around in the Ranger

Zac taking dad for a spin

One of the highlights for sure was when Dave and Darla shared their own harvested beef with us.  They fired up the smoker and we had the best steaks we'd had in a long time!  Potatoes from the garden, too.  I could get used to that kind of eating :)

Trev took to Darla immediately

Zac wanting to pet these hungry cows

We headed into the town of McCook, which is about a 30 minute drive from their property and met Donna, Dave's mom (and cousin to Jay's mom Diane) for lunch.  I had only just exchanged letters and Christmas cards with Donna, so it was wonderful to finally meet her as well.  She accompanied us home that night for dinner.

Donna and Jay

The last night we were there, we took the Rupperts out to dinner to thank them and then headed home, put the boys down and curled up in the living room to watch the CMA awards.  Odd to think something so simple would be so fun, but it was.  It was just comfortable and easy going....

Dave and Darla

I fell in love with McCook, Nebraska within those few days and immediately loved the Rupperts, too.  We can't wait to go back and visit again.  Hoping they will pay us a visit in DC and I will show them the big city life for a change :)  Thanks Dave, Darla and Dylan for making memories with us that will last a lifetime! We love you!

Dylan, Jay and Dave like old times

The gang