Kansas City Temple

We have loved having another temple only a few hours away.  So on day two of our trip to Kansas City, the couples took turns going to the temple while the other watched the kids.

When it was our turn we went to the park.

Miriam had her first try on a merry-go-round (I don't see them at any parks where we live).  She only lasted a few turns and then wanted off.

But this kid loves swings.  I must say I'm pretty impressed at how high she gets while swinging on her tummy.

When it got too hot at the park, we went to Target and bummed around.  

Trying on hats.

One of Miriam's favorite songs is "I Love to See the Temple."  As crazy as it is sometimes to bring them with us, I'm glad they get the opportunity to see the temple and feel the spirit there.

Let me in!!

 

We ended the day with a stop at Costco (another place that we don't have at home).  

This is why parents spoil their children.  When they get so excited and cute about a big stuffed animal, all reason goes out the window (like where am I gonna put that GIANT toy??)  Luckily we had a little sense of mind and decided against it for now.  But this cute face might get her one by her birthday :-)

All of the playing this weekend was hard work.  Miriam couldn't even stay awake to finish coloring!

Schlitterbahn

Have I mentioned that I love having my sister Jody back in Arkansas? 

(Maybe once or twice).

It's been really nice to do things together more often.

Like one week Jody and I went to the Taste of Home Cooking School.  

The school was just okay, but the company was great.

We were also able to plan a short overnight trip to Kansas City (about 4 hours away).

Miriam did great on the drive up.

Our first day there we went to the local waterpark, Schlitterbahn.

I have to admit that I was a little nervous.  Although it was sunny outside, the temperature was in the low 70s and it was really windy.  Being in the water felt really cold.  Now Jody and I's Canadian blood could hack it.  But the hubbies and kids were a little less--resilient :-)

Luckily there was a kiddie pool that was heated.  At the end of the day, Miriam said the "warm water" was her favorite part.

The girls loved hanging out with Uncle Cace and cousin Gemma all day.

We took turns throughout the day watching kids and riding rides.  

Jody and I enjoyed a nice float on the "Torrent River."

Jody experimenting with our new waterproof camera.  What a goofball.

We had so much fun, we decided to go back and get the hubbies and kids.

I can't say Miriam was loving it.  In fact, she was whimpering and whining almost the whole time.  

Eliza was okay, until she got tipped over.  I was videoing Miriam when a big wave came and tipped over Stan and Eliza's tube.  Watch the video to the end and you can see how much Eliza liked that.

I think Eliza was a little worn out after no nap and being tipped over in the river.  

But she pressed on and still enjoyed the day.

This kid is so chill.

What a couple of cute ladies!

Stan caught a shot of Jody and I going up the conveyor belt on a ride.  We had a blast doing all the slides.  Because the weather wasn't terribly warm, the park was pretty empty and we didn't wait for any rides.

And we ended the day with a sunburn and funnel cakes.  You can ask Stan why he thought he didn't need sunblock while spending ALL day at a waterpark!

Happy Birthday Gemma!

We have loved having Jody and Cace back in Arkansas.  We especially have loved getting to know their daughter, Gemma.

Eliza gets ecstatic when she even hears Gemma's name and Miriam is such a good "little mommy" to Gemma.

We didn't even know they had the same pajamas.  So cute!

Gemma had her first birthday.  Jody did a great job with her party and her and Rebecca made the cake.

Gemma was kind enough to share licks of the frosting with Miriam.

  Less than two minutes later Gemma had demolished the cake (thankfully she didn't EAT all of it).  

This girl is impressive.  Nothing slows her down.  She was walking at 10 months and tore through the cake like it was a sand castle.  Watch out Momma!

Swing Set

Stan and I had decided that we wanted to get a swing set for the girls this Spring.  

So of course I started looking on Craigslist.

I found a great deal, it seemed too good to be true.  

It was.

A brand new, still in the boxes, swing set for more than half the retail price.

We picked it up, the guy seemed nice.  We peeked in both boxes and saw swing set parts.

We were good.

I started doing inventory once I had the boxes at home.  

Box 1 of 2, check.

Box 2 of 2--what???

It was the same exact parts!!

Long story short, someone had bought the set online, found the second box a duplicate and returned it.  The returned, mislabeled box never got opened and ended up the hands of whomever I bought it from.  He claimed ignorance of the mistake, and I kind of believe him (the box didn't look like it had been opened).  I wasn't going to hassle him for a return, it's Craigslist after all.

So I got in touch with the manufacturer.  Since I wasn't the original owner (darn that whole honesty thing), they wouldn't just correct the problem free of charge.  They would charge me a small amount for a replacement box, if we could drive to Pittsburg, KS (1 1/2 hours away) to pick it up. 

No problem.

But wait, they can't break a set so they would have to wait around for a box 2 to become available.  A return or damaged package, etc.  The nice man assured me this was their busiest season and they should have one soon.  

So I waited, and called, and checked in almost every week, meanwhile the boxes we had were taking up valuable garage space.

FINALLY 2 months later (this all started back at the end of February), they got our box!!

Stan picked it up and with the first nice weather Saturday, the work began.

Thanks to our good friend Mark MacCabe and my father for helping Stan get it assembled.

I spent the day before sorting the hardware and parts into piles.  It was a good thing because Saturday it took them 11 hours start to finish.

(Word of advice, buy a swing set used, already mostly assembled).

But doesn't it look pretty?  They really did a great job.

And now for what the real judges thought??

They loved it!!

Front view:

Back view:

Eliza doesn't want to stop swinging and Miriam wants to go out every chance she gets.  She also loves to show it to anyone who comes by.

Thanks Daddy for a wonderful Mother's Day gift.

Happy kids=Happy mom!