kc ... bbq, petting zoos, and family fun

We got to KC at 6:30 p.m. ... just in time for supper! I was worried that traveling with Alice would make our drive so much slower ... but I estimated that we would arrive in KC at 6:30 ... and we did! I felt pretty good about that.  

This was the first time that my Dad and Step-Mom had been able to meet Allie, so they were pretty excited to see us.  

My Dad holding Alice for the first time.  (He's healing from rotator cuff surgery.)

My Step-Mom, Rose, getting to know Allie.

While Colton went to the restroom ... Grandpa thought he'd try out his game!

On Thursday, my Dad and I went to meet my sister and her family. My older sister had a baby just three weeks after Allie was born. I was pretty excited to meet my nephew, Ethan! I had made him a blanket (like I do for all of my nieces and nephews). I couldn't wait to give it to him. But before we went over to visit, we stopped off for some lunch at Oklahoma Joe's. Delicious! I'm always in the mood for some KC Barbecue!

Meeting Mr. Ethan Brady!

Cole with baby Ethan.

Khloe holds her baby cousin.

Alice meets her cousin, Maddie.

Zion is so good with babies! Allie loved her big cousin.

Alice meets Aunt Dana!

All of the grandkids on the Reynolds' side of the family.  Zion (14), Madison (5), Colton (4 1/2), Khloe (2 1/2), Alice (6 months), Ethan (5 months)

Alice and Ethan ... three weeks a part. I always have the big, chubby babies! Look at her 'ham hocks', as my friend Kelly would say!

Maddie dressed Khloe up like a princess ... Koki loved it!

The blanket I made for Ethan. It got a little wrinkly folded up in my suitcase on the trip. Whoops!

Mom H saved me with this blanket! I can never get my sewing machine to stitch correctly through these fabrics to finish the blanket. That minky is tough to sew! But Mom H taught me how to hand stitch it ... and for that, I am so grateful!

Playing outside in the AMAZING KC weather ... Khloe found some leaves for me.

Cole and Khloe racing outside ... she is pretty fast! 

As per usual, we decided to go to Deanna Rose Farmstead. We do this every summer ... it's free ... it's fun ... and we always have a good time. The kids love to see the animals, and I love that they get to be outside. It had been a cool few days since we had arrived in KC, but this day turned out to get a little hotter than I would have liked! So, we only stayed for a few hours. Just since last summer, they really added to the Farmstead. There were a few more stores for the kids to look at in the town section, and I saw plans to make it even bigger by next summer. Always something new for us to see when we go to Deanna Rose.

At the farm with Grandpa Reynolds!

We headed out on the trail ... 

Our first stop was at the old school house (my personal favorite part).

Trying out the school chairs.

Petting some goats in the barn.

She loved the goats!

Had to stop by the Indian house ... the buffalos wait outside.

Buffalo Colton

Colton liked to drive the tractors around.

Poor little Khloe had legs that were just a bit short ... but she did alright. 

Khloe got to see what it would be like to get a haircut in the 'olden days'. 

A bowl cut?

Maddie got to try, too!

The kids had the best time feeding the goats in the petting area.

Cole feeding the goats.

She might want a goat.

After touring around Deanna Rose, we decided to grab a bite to eat at Red Robin. My kids always love to eat there, and we were all pretty hot and hungry!

Grabbing lunch at Red Robin.

That afternoon, the kids and I went to visit my Aunt Phylis and Uncle Tom. They got to meet Alice, and we chatted for a while. It was a very nice visit, and I'm so glad that we got to stop by. 

Aunt P entertaining Allie.

On Sabbath, we got to see Russell and Amber at church. Colton LOVES Maecy, and he is always talking about their time in the chicken coop ... last summer. It's so funny how shy everyone is when we see them again ... but I'm glad they get to be a part of each other's lives.

Maecy (5), Nolan (3), Colton (4 1/2), Khloe 2 1/2), Alice (6 months)

That afternoon, my sister and her family came over to my Dad's for lunch. It was fun to visit and enjoy each other's company.

I love this picture that my sister took of Zion and Colton ... Cole thinks he is great!

Beautiful sunset in KC.

 On Sunday, we went to another place we always try to go on our Heinrich Summer trips ... the Louisburg Cider Mill! It was a rainy, cool Sunday, but we just had to go ... I love that place! I stock up on my jams and apple butter ... and I get some Apple Cider for Thanksgiving. We enjoyed some apple donuts and cold cider. After our visit to the Cider Mill, we went to Sky Zone. The kids had so much fun jumping their energy out on the trampolines! It's a great place for kids! We grabbed barbecue at a place nearby. It was a busy but fun day!

Grandma and Grandpa Reynolds with the kids at the Cider Mill.

On Monday, we got together with my cousin Kristie and her two girls at my sister's house. It was so nice to see her, as usual. Her kids are so sweet! They are both great with kids. I love to watch them grow each summer. It was nice to chat with her and to have them meet Alice.

Alice really liked Brooke.

BriAnna is always so good with my kids ... I have pictures of her with each of them as babies.

We, also, got a chance to see my Uncle Denny and Aunt Dottie and their grandkids. We visited with them on Tuesday evening.  It's always nice to see family ... especially those you don't get to see very often!

Aunt Dottie with Allie

Uncle Denny with Allie

Until next time! Thanks for letting us visit!

On our last day in KC, I met my sister at the mall. We just took the kids to the carousel and the play place ... I had to go to the Disney Store ... I'm looking for an Elsa doll for Khloe's birthday (they are NOWHERE to be found in Florida), and I found one! Perfect! Then we grabbed lunch at Noodles and Company (I wish we had one in Tampa).

A fun day with Allie.

Riding the carousel with Khloe-girl.

Maddie and Colton on the carousel.

Maddie, Colton, and Khloe in the play area at the mall.

We were supposed take Rose out for her birthday that night, but it stormed so hard ... that we stayed in. Well, it's the thought that counts!

Grandpa and Grandma with my kids! What a nice visit we had!

We had a really nice time in Kansas City! I wish we could see everyone more often. I'm glad we got to meet Ethan and that all of my family got to meet Alice. I always enjoy hanging out with my Dad. It's nice to stay up talking to him at night. We usually have one or two (or more) nights where we stay up late (usually midnight) chatting. I'm glad to have memories like that with him. Until next time!