Kansas Trip - Summer 2010

A couple of weeks ago I took the kids on our annual trip to Kansas. We normally go back in June so we can go to the River Festival. This year was no exception. It was also the weekend of my 20 year reunion (can't believe I've been out of high school that long). I was especially excited because two of my sisters (Tracy & Angie) were going to be there with their kids. Zachary, Addison and I flew to Kansas City on a Friday and stayed with Angie, Barry, Cooper and Carson for the weekend. They just moved into this great new house and we had a lot of fun. We went to the neighborhood swimming pool a couple of times and had some of my friends who live in KC stop by throughout the weekend. It was so great seeing everyone. I miss my Kansas friends so much. On Monday, the kids and I drove to Salina. We were all very happy to see my parents. We had a few days before everyone else was supposed to arrive. During that time we went to the Salina Public Library (they have such a great children's area), the new water park and to see my grandmother. Tracy and her boys got to Salina very late Wed. night and Angie and her kids got there on Thursday afternoon. We spent over three hours at the swimming pool that day. I got to see some of my good friends (who were back for the festival as well) and their kids. I wish we had a swimming pool like that here in Gulfport. it has a really big water slide that both Addie & Zach LOVED going down. The kids had so much fun playing together. Thursday night Jason flew into KC and Barry picked him up and brought him to Salina. On Friday, my good friend Kelly took our family picture (just me, Jason and the two kids). I can't wait to see how they turned out. Later that morning we went over to the River Festival. It was super hot but my dad found a shady spot underneath a big tree where we were able to hang out and cool off. It was right next to the Lego tables where the kids had a blast making stuff. That night Jason and I went to dinner with friends at my favorite pizza place, The Scheme. Afterwards we met some of my classmates at a bar for an informal gathering. Saturday we went back to the festival for a bit. Sat. night we went to my 20 year reunion at one of the local restaurants. My friends Kim & Charla organized the whole thing. Kim did such a fantastic job. It was a lot of fun. Most everyone looked the same and have aged very well. On Sunday, Tracy's husband, Jeff, flew in so for a few hours we were all there. It was quite a house full but it was so much fun. We wanted to get a group shot of all of the kids together. It was pretty funny trying to get them all to look at the camera at the same time. Poor little Carson wasn't particularly in the mood for a photo shoot. I never did get that one great shot but I did get a lot of funny ones! I am going to save those picture for a post all its own. It was so great seeing my aunts and uncles and niece and nephews and even a few cousins while I was home. It was especially good to see my parents and my sisters and my grandmother whom I miss so much. I wish I could see my family and friends more often. If anyone wants to come down and visit us you are welcome any time! here are a few pictures from our trip.....