W41 of Y3

Week 2 in the USA!

Since it was so HOT we decided to have our family meal for lunch and go to the amusement park in the evening.  Deciding where to go was the hard part....  our family had so many restaurants on our list to eat at during our time in the USA so we all decided a buffet would be a great way of getting a little bit of all of it!

Whitney's dessert was cracking me up!

Silver Dollar City!!

Group picture before everyone broke off into groups

I got to be in the Whitney group!

Stopping for some ice cream!  (Connor looks like a ghost! lol!)

I got to watch the twins while their parents went on some roller coasters.  It was so hot!  I had to convince them to touch the water fountains but they were very skeptical and hesitant....  that soon changed!

I was totally embarrassed when their parents got off the ride and their girls were soaked head to toe, but they also had grins from ear to ear!

There was a DJ playing music with cool lights.  The younger kids were curious but hesitant to join the dance party.

Then it started "snowing" and they loved it!!

The night ended with a firework display!  Such a fun day!!

The next morning it was time to go back to Kansas City to check into our home for the next couple of weeks

This was our beautiful view from the deck

Our first visitors:  Aunt Shirley and Uncle Phillip!  My favorite Aunt and Uncle drove to KC from Kentucky to see us while we were in town.  I was so happy to spend some time with them and for the kids to get to know them better.  

Eugene's family met us at our favorite KC BBQ restaurant and we all enjoyed a delicious dinner together.  We were so sad to not see Zane (scout camp) or Aly (working) but happy that Leah could come!  

After dinner Tara and Tamara came by to see us right before they started a 25 hour drive to Priest River!  So glad the timing worked out to even get to see them for 10 minutes!

LOVE my sister!!

The first of MANY medical appointments during the next couple of weeks!
Our dentist was one of Jeremy's friends growing up !  

During the next couple of weeks Whitney kept asking if she could go back to the dentist.  That's how fun it was!!  Europe dentists don't have TVs, treasure chests, sunglasses, nice bedside manner, etc...  

Dinner at Jon's house with a couple of Jeremy's childhood friends

It's like they are still 10 years old!

The first of MANY meals from our wish list!  This one was on all of our lists - American breakfast!!!  

One of the kids favorite stores - Pet Land.  We had to stop and play with a puppy!

Next on the list... American haircuts!  The boys only wanted Sports Clips so they could get the VIP treatment.  Why is everything SO MUCH MORE FUN in America???

Bad news:  Our renters invited us to come over today for lunch and swimming in the pool.  Unfortately, the night before our house FLOODED!!!  It was actually worse than the time it flooded when we lived there 4 years ago.  At that time we were told that was a once in 100 years flash flood.  Ummm.........
Needless to say, the lunch/pool party was off.  The kids and I went by anyway to see our home and the neighborhood. 

This creek (and sledding hill) has so many fond memories for us!

Stopped by to see some friends before they left for California the next morning

Aiden and Bry Bry reunited at last!!!  

One of the last pictures taken of these two before we moved 3 years ago!

Oh my.....  an American cinema.  What a difference!!!  

Prairie Fire!  We love this place!!

Cross Buffalo Wild Wings off the list for Connor!!

Visit to our old school! We didn't even realize what a great school Stanley was while we lived here!  

Jeremy picked up two of his friends from the airport who flew in to see him

All the guys went to the Chiefs training camp for the day

The boys got jerseys and footballs signed by their favorite Chiefs players.  It was a dream come true for them!

While the guys were doing that.... Whitney and I had a major shopping day!!!  With a break to get manicures!

Whitney discovered Justice and Claire's for the first time.  Life will never be the same!!

We did pretty good!

One of Whitney's favorite outfits from the day

Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory with our good friends before they left the next day

Friends forever!

Trying to recreate the picture of us in Venice together:

2016

Early morning walks to Starbucks every morning.  Some days I got the kids to come with me.

Finally crossed Chipotle off my list!

I bet Connor $5 he couldn't finish his burrito!! I won!!

We didn't see Jeremy for a few days.  He was staying in a hotel with his friends (Maveriks) who flew to KC for a reunion while we were here.  They had their traditional bowling tournament.

The guys were also celebrating Johnny's bachelor party!  He gets married next week!

While Jeremy was with his friends, and Connor and Aiden were with their friends, Whitney and I hit up one of the public pools!

Cates family dinner!  It was great to see Grandpa and Marge and all of Jeremy's extended family!

The twins table!

The boy's babysitter and cousin

Playing hide and seek! She thinks no one can see her!

Sunday at our old church

Crossing off 2 things at once:  Dinner with the Brown's and Mexican food!!!

Love this family!  

Love this food!!

Sweet Emma opening her bday present

These girls are like sisters to Whitney.  Love them so much!