Nebraska and all its wonder

We had such a great time on our trip to Nebraska, visiting Grandma, Grandpa and all our Heier family. We also had some time to see all that is Nebraska. And while I can't believe we did not get a single picture of Bruce in a cornfield (which frankly would be like a picture of Bruce in front of a Starbucks in Northern Virginia), we did get a lot of fun photos of other fun Nebraska landscapes, including pics from the Nebraska State Fair. Enjoy!

Deanna's cement chicken!

Ok, this one needs some explanation. Wayne, Nebraska (Robb's hometown) is the site of the "internationally famous" Wayne Chicken Show (http://www.chickenshow.com). We even saw it on the CNN Bottom line before. The Chicken Show is famous for its Cluck Off competition, where contestants compete for the best Chicken impersonation, and the winner of which used to go on the Johnny Carson Show (Carson himself being from Norfolk, Nebraska). The Chicken Show also includes a Cement Chicken Auction, which I have wanted to partake in for the past couple years, but could not figure out how to get a 50 lb chicken on the plane ride home. Well, this year Uncle Darrel and Aunt Betty made a bid and bought me my very own cement chichken, whohoo! Pictured below. Despite Robb's protesting, I've got a prominent spot picked out in our living room. Can't wait to get it home!

Bruce wants a Runza!

Runza (http://www.runza.com/about) is a restaurant that started in Lincoln, Nebraska (with franchises in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and Iowa). They have their own unique "sandwich" called a Runza that consists of ground beef, cabbage, and spices wrapped completely in a dough bun. Pictured here is Bruce reaching for his first Runza.

Let's go to the Fair!

During our trip we went to The Nebraska State Fair in Lincoln, Nebraska (possibly the last time it will be held in Lincoln as it moves to Grand Island next year). We took a lot of photos at the Fair, mainly because Deanna had the camera and had never been to a real State Fair. I learned so much!

Lena, Brett, Robb and Bruce at the Fair

Bruce and Lena at the Fair

Bruce sees his first tractor!

Bruce (and Deanna's) first Combine

($250K, at least, for one of these puppies; it was huge!)

Prize-winning Vegetables

Bruce with a giant pumpkin

Oh, and did I mention The Fair Food...

Pop Pop and his hot beef Sundae

What is a hot beef sundae you ask? Well, you take a scoop of mashed potatoes covered in hot brown gravy with yummy roast beef, and sprinkle it with cheese and a cherry tomato on top

Robb couldn't resist the Fried Twinkie (none for Bruce yet)

Bruce's first encounter with farm life

Bruce sees his first cow

First baby goat

First baby piglet (just 1 day old)

And so many side shows....

The Frog Jumping Show

The racing pigs (Deanna's favorite)

Brett with the Budweiser Clydesdale horses

(this one was named Duke)

High School band on parade

and Carnival rides

(pictured: Grandpa Heier and Uncle Kevin holding Brett)

All in all, a great adventure of a day!

Can't wait to go back :)