The Land Of Cousins

Also known as Kansas City. Granted we have cousins in many places but recently we were able to tag along w/Daddy on his trip/work meeting to Lenexa. And that always means that Addison and I get lots of cousin bonding while he sits in boring meetings. It's a win win! :D

We started our evening off with just a dinner out with our own little family. It was horrible. Not so much the "family" part of it as much as the "dinner" part. I've officially sworn off Applebee's now. Their food is one level BELOW mediocre, the service was also sub par, and apparently they are making their budget cuts in the way of air conditioning. It also didn't help that Addison decided to throw tantrum after tantrum when the food came. But at least she looked cute before the tantrums came. And at least we weren't too disappointed to leave our nasty meal behind as we followed up with her consequences of hanging out in the car until she was done.

Notice the perspiration? Yeah, it was that hot. Maybe that's why she was minutes away from a meltdown when this picture was taken.

The rest of our stay was quite wonderful. We spent the mornings giving Daddy rides to work and then would jaunt off to Aunt Michelle's house and hang out for the day. We would play, eat lunch, nap, and then rush on to pick Daddy back up from work. We even got to enjoy eating a delish dinner with the Hufford cousins our 2nd night in town. It was so nice of them to throw an impromptu dinner together for us. And it was especially nice that Addison has finally reached the age of playing on her own instead of hovering by me the whole time. It made our visit that much more wonderful! Here is a pic of Daddy, Addison, and Laney (cousin / Addison's twin) hanging out in the basement. Thanks so much for the fun Mark & Maren!

Addison, Daddy, and Laney at Mark & Maren's house.

The following days we even got to take part in Ashlyn's birthday party, a couple of school play dates with Preston's friends at Aunt Michelle's house, a hot and sweaty afternoon at Deanna Rose, followed up with a delicious dinner with Mommy's siblings and all the cousins yet again. It was really a great visit and a nice impromptu trip. Can't wait until another boring work meeting happens again! :D

Enjoying a fun lunch at Aunt Michelle's house.

Posing at the Deanna Rose Farmstead. One word......HOT!

It was pure coincidence they lined themselves up by height. Such happy campers! It was probably for the best that we came 30 minutes before closing time. I think that was about the exact time I could survive before dropping from the immense heat.


This is one of many moments of hand holding and hugging w/her older girl cousins. She very much adores those ladies and the attention they shower her in.


Pointing out the "stinty piggies" at the farmstead. She loves to announce when ANYthing stinks (including Mommy & Daddy). And she has reminded me often of those stinky piggies ever since we got home. Her memory is quite impressive lately.


And last but not least, killing some time at the park while we wait for Dad to finish up at work.