Thank You, Aksarben Cinema!

Olivia created this amazing thank you card.

We love Aksarben Cinema.

So many fun events and movies have been part of our lives there since the theater opened four years ago. So annually, we thank the Barstows for providing such an amazing facility.

Olivia did the honors this year when it came to creating a nice homemade card. She even made a nice graphic for the back (seen at right - click to enlarge). Thanks, Olivia!

Seeing 'Annie'

Before the movie started, we had a "private screening" session going.

Twice in the past week, we had tried to see "Annie." Both times, we arrived at our favorite movie theater, Aksarben Cinema, to learn it was sold out. So this time, we aimed for a late (9:30 p.m.) showing. That's all it took. When we arrived, we were the only people in the theater. It stayed that way until the previews, when two people came in and sat in the back row.

Overall, the movie was pretty good. Having not seen the 1982 original "Annie," I didn't know what to expect – especially since this is "Black Annie" (as many moviegoers have come to call it). It was fine and I even cracked a few one-liners that had Emily and Lauren in near tears. Lauren and Emily had actually been on their way out, having seen a different movie. But Olivia, Julia and Veronica convinced them to join us.

We also got to see Emily in the Aksarben Cinema promo that ran before the movie:



Afterwards, we had some fun with the bikes outdoors:

Olivia was ready to roll.

Veronica said this reminded her of the other time we rode these bikes.

For a moment, I thought Olivia was going to be able to ride it like an exercise bike.

You wouldn't know it from the look on Veronica's face, but it was pretty cold out.

Julia put on one of her priceless expressions for this photo.

Aksarben Village really does it up nicely for the holidays.

Life Around The Apartment

Veronica was more than happy to pose next to a pie Lauren helped get ready to bake.

She was also ready to be the "first eater."

These are busy times as the days get shorter and it seems the holiday rush is upon us.

For example, last night, we blitzed through the final processing of the Christmas letter, fixed dinner, hustled it down to the main post office, zoomed out to Aksarben Cinema to see a movie and then back home to prepare cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Thankfully, the girls are extremely helpful and handy around the house.

This morning, we were in full-out cleaning mode so they could attend the annual "Christmas Cup of Tea" with Grandma Bep.

The girls did a great job getting their room in order.

In Case You Missed It On Instagram

That's Emily in the yellow sunglasses, "chilling" with co-workers at Aksarben Cinema.

Aksarben Village Construction Update

Lauren posed in front of the construction of the Pacific Life Building.

It wasn't too long ago that we would park at Aksarben Village and walk across a large, empty, grassy lot to get to Aksarben Cinema. Now the grass is gone, a fence has gone up and a mammoth structure is going up.

Lauren and I stopped by to see the progress. The view over the fence (at right) shows construction of the planned Pacific Life building is coming right along.

Here is one of the buildings, as described by the Omaha World-Herald.

And here is a bird's eye view of the planned construction (courtesy of the Omaha World-Herald).

News From SnapChat

Emily was looking good before her interview at Aksarben Cinema.

Congratulations, Emily!

Back to the Future: DJ's Dugout

You probably know by now how fond we are of taking our "Back to the Future" photos around town. If not, here is a post to catch you up.

Today, we were able to check another location off our list. This one involves the DJ's Dugout that went up in Aksarben Village. We took the original photo Sept. 30, 2012.

Take note of the Ponzu Sushi and Grill restaurant in the upper left of the original photo. Many people have wondered what "Ponzu" means. Now we know ... "hidden restaurant."

We wondered why anyone would build a restaurant right in front of Aksarben Cinema.

Now we know the answer: it's a prime location at Aksarben Village.

Fun With Shari

Emily's friend, Shari (center), joined us for an afternoon at Aksarben Cinema.

And later, she and Emily helped Olivia drive the van out of the driveway.

Fun With (A) Photo Booth

This is what happens close to midnight at Aksarben Cinema.

Julia suggested we use a picture of "Boo" for this post about seeing "Monsters Inc."

Lauren and me before the movie.

The girls and I – with Emily's sleepover friend, Shari, in tow – went to Aksarben Cinema tonight to see "Monsters Inc." on the big screen.

Here's a revelation from Olivia: "The movie really goes fast when you fall asleep." And a few people did: Lauren, Olivia, Veronica, me and Emily (who "drifted off," she said). Julia did not. Shari didn't fall asleep either.

Before falling asleep, we were looking for the other large pop that we bought before the movie. No one seemed to have it, but they all said Lauren had it. Lauren didn't have it. So I went down to the front (there were only four other people in the theater watching with us) and asked loudly, "Where is the other pop?" Finally, someone told me, "Hey, Dad. There's still a pop out on the counter in the lobby." Yep, Lauren had left it there when she went to the restroom. I had forgotten that she left it there.

Lauren slept across three seats in the back row.

Fish Faces!

Veronica (left) and Julia posed for "fish faces" for a special
"Finding Nemo" promotion for Aksarben Cinema.

Harry Potter Night

I helped Aksarben Cinema with media relations
for its Harry Potter premier night.

Justin Bieber Fever

We learned today that 40 minutes of new footage
is being added to "Never Say Never" this weekend.

Snow Day = Afternoon Movie

Veronica isn't sleeping – just trying to avoid the flash.
For the second straight day, the girls didn't have school. A slow-moving storm dumped about nine inches of snow between Sunday and Monday, which meant neighborhood streets were slow to be cleared.

So instead of picking up the girls after school, I got to pick them up at noon. We had lunch (Jack's pizza – remind me to get TWO pepperoni pizzas next time), then headed down to Aksarben Cinema to see "Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader." This was actually our second straight Tuesday afternoon movie experience. (Last week, we saw "Yogi Bear.")

I've never seen any of the "Narnia" movies. So I was a little lost. (I'm guessing a couple of the other girls were as well.) But there was action, some cool special effects – and it was in 3D. So there you go. Did I mention Tuesdays are also $1 popcorn and $1 pop days? That was probably the best part. (Thanks, Grandma YD, for helping with that part.)

TRON: Legacy

Veronica looks a bit starstruck in her 3D glasses.
We wanted to take in a movie this weekend at Aksarben Cinema. But having already seen "Tangled," our options were a bit limited. So I decided we would watch the original "Tron" and then go see "TRON: Legacy" on Christmas Eve.

"Tron" is not exactly the most viewer-friendly movie. I think I had to see it three or four times to understand exactly what was going on. So it's no surprise that Emily and Julia were asking questions about it throughout. But that was OK. I wanted to make sure they got the gist of it and got the back story before seeing "TRON: Legacy."

The girls seemed to enjoy the sequel – particularly the futuristic look that comes with having a movie in 3D. Some highlights included: Veronica falling asleep, Lauren spectacularly dropping the pop and ice and one of the guys behind us saying, "that was the worst movie I've seen" as the credits rolled.

The girls also were the only ones in the theater who chuckled at the line, "now that's a really big door."

First Trip To Aksarben Cinema

Lauren looks right at home on this video game.
So the girls have been asking me whether the new Aksarben Cinema was open. I told them it opened while I was in Spain, but that we would try and hit a movie when I returned.

True to my word, we saw "Tangled" and loved it. And we loved the new theater, too. It's all digital and the sound system is terrific. Plus, concession stand prices are not out of sight and there's even some variety to the offerings (flatbread sandwiches and mini hot dogs immediately come to mind).

We'll surely be back very soon. "Gulliver's Travels" looks promising.

This 3-D stand-up in the lobby attracted Veronica's attention.

What did Emily do to Justin's face?

Getting Ready For Aksarben Cinema

Bridget was on KMTV News at Midday to talk about
the Aksarben Cinema Holiday Market.
Omaha's newest movie theater opens its doors a week from today. Today was a chance for the media to look things over and get a sneak peek at what the public will see. I won't be around for the actual opening, but I've been given an opportunity to pitch in with the public relations.

Owner Bill Barstow shows off the spacious lobby.

After the media tour, we had a lunch meeting at Anthony's.

Getting the Aksarben Cinema booth ready for the Holiday Market.

Jon and Bridget with a sentry at the door.

Touring Aksarben Cinema

Jon and I try out the seats in one of the theaters.
Did you know theaters have a choice as to which movie trailers to show you? Did you know two weekends before Christmas is the second slowest weekend of the year for theaters?

These facts – and the location of all the restrooms – are just some of the things I learned during my late afternoon tour of the new Aksarben Cinema. Located in Aksarben Cinema, the 10-screen, all-digital complex opens Dec. 10.

Owner Bill Barstow and my sister, Bridget, enjoy the view.