Table Rock Reunion

After leaving KC, we started our four-hour drive down to Table Rock Lake for a family reunion with Sean's family.  They have it every year over Labor Day weekend, and this is the first time we've gone in seven years...long overdue! 

Carter reading the new robot book that Aunt Christy got him.  It is a great book--thanks, Sister! 

 Davis resting up on the drive down.

 Sean was the driver extraordinaire for most of our trip.  I loved it!

 Davis made himself a little snack area out of the stairs in our cabin.  

Great-Grandma Ioma and Davis bonded over some watermelon.  

 Five of the 17 cousins, plus Aunt Pam!

 Cousin Hannah and Carter snuggling.  I cannot tell you how much fun the boys had playing with all of their cousins; 13 of the 17 made it to the reunion and our boys were showered with attention the whole weekend. It was awesome to see them have such a blast together.  We are so lucky to have such amazing kids in our family.  The big ones look after the little ones like they are all brothers & sisters.  Kudos to Pam & Todd, Kris & Peter, Marc & Cindy and Mike & Cheri for raising some awesome kids!

 The pool was a hit...especially the water slide!

 Carter made a new BFF--his cousin, Leah!  These two hit it off and he is still talking about her.  He told me "Mommy, I love you and Daddy, and Davis, and everyone else in our family-and especially Leah."

 Davis and some of the big boys at dinner on our last night.

 Having fun in the cabin! (Photos courtesy of Carter.)

 Grandpa Dan being silly!

 Beilman Campfire on our last night.

 Davis opted for a spot near the Smores.  :-)

 Jace & Carter getting ready to settle in for the night in Grandma Pat & Grandpa Dan's new RV.  It was like a rolling hotel suite!

 Jace with Uncle Sean & Grandpa Dan

Sean with his mom.

We had a lot of fun and are planning to make this trip every other Summer.  It was great to see everyone and catch up.  We miss you all!

Brinley & BBQ

We left Colorado without a charger for our camera, so I have no pics of the boys meeting our sweet niece, Brinley, for the first time.  Luckily, we were able to see her twice during our three days in KC!!  After buying a replacement charger, we were able to get some photos of Brin at the Smokehouse for a family dinner.  

She loves Aunt Christy!

Josh with his sweet girl and Uncle Sean.   

 

Aunt Christy and Grampy

 The whole gang, sans Josh.  We love Kansas City BBQ!

Davis was very concerned when Brinley would cry.  BTW, she was the best-behaved of all three grand kids during our family photo shoot before dinner.  Go figure!

My wonderful mother & me.  Sure wish we lived closer!

Some of my faves from our family photos.  Brinley is such a sweet baby!  I am so happy for Josh & Natalie, and what amazing parents they are to this little girl!  Can't wait to hold her again...

Kansas City Zoo

Our second day in KC was spend at the zoo!  It has been over 15 years since I visited the zoo and I loved all the updates.  The KC Zoo is quite a bit bigger than the Denver Zoo, has a train and trams that run throughout the property, and a "Sky Ride" (a ski lift for you Colorado folks) that gives you an aerial view of some of the larger exhibits.  Plus, we were able to get 50% off the price of admission by showing our Denver Zoo membership card...can't beat that! 

The coolest exhibit was by far, the polar bear.  He swam right up to the glass and pushed off, giving us an awesome view of his huge paws and sweet face.  So, so cool.

 The carousel was also a big hit...

...especially the MU Tiger!

 Couldn't pass up a ride on the train!

 It was all fun and games until Mimi fell down in one of the Africa exhibits.  She hobbled back to civilization and I got her an ice pack for her banged-up knee.  We decided that it was time to go home at that point.  The 100 degree weather didn't help, either.  We got Icees to go & hit the road!

Good Times in KC

We started our 10-day Missouri vacation in Kansas City, to visit Mimi, Grampy and the rest of the Milne crew!  Our first outing was to Fritz's in Crown Center.  It is a train-themed restaurant with train tracks along the ceiling that allow little electric trains to deliver the food right to your table--how cool is that?!  The boys had a blast and I kept wondering how we have gone this long without knowing about Fritz's...now we know!

Watching anxiously to see if the next train down the track would be our train.  

Making the next lunch delivery...

Here it is!! 

 Playing at the dinosaur exhibit.

 Kansas City's newest attraction--Sea Life Aquarium!

We had fun exploring the sea creatures and the boys had fun running and trying to get lost at every possible moment.  "Busy" does not begin to describe these two!!!

We ended the day with some frozen custard from Sheridan's.  A KC favorite--yummy!!!

(I think he likes it.)