We just returned late Sunday night from our annual summer vacation to visit our families. This year we decided to combine our trips in hopes of cutting down on our time in the car. As I started reviewing our pictures and thinking through everything, I realized so many elements of this trip were much like the one we took 4 years ago in
2009. Our first and last stops were in Kansas and we even experienced similar activities. Why mess with a good thing?! (Note: you may need to click on the collages for an enlarged view. I was trying my best to condense things.)
On our way out to Denver we spent the night at the Lobmeyer Seed Farm. We checked out the goings on and took advantage of some photo ops. During our 2009 trip, Ari would have been a couple months shy of turning 3. This year, Asher is just about 2 and a half.
2013
Ari & Asher - 2009 & 2013
That evening we drove into Garden City and visited the Finney County Fair. This was a first for the kids and me. Even though it was small, we all had a great time and learned a lot about the farming world. The kids even had their first funnel cake!
The evening we arrived in Denver we spent catching up with most of my extended family. I guess I was caught up in talking as I have no pictures from this event! The next morning we opted for swimming at a local indoor pool/water park. Our original plan was to play in the Platte River, but the day ended up being cool and rainy. The next day was sunny and hot and we were able to make it out to Heritage Square for some amusement park fun. With the kids being older we were able to ride most of the rides and stayed well into the afternoon. We were exhausted!
Heritage Square - 2013
First Visit to Heritage Square - 2010
The following day we met up with a friend of mine who lived next door through our school years. The last time we saw her was on our trip 4 years ago! In addition to her oldest son, who is Ari's age, she now has another son just a few weeks younger than Asher! We met up at the
Colorado Railroad Museum where the kids were able to run around and play on real trains. Their favorite was one where you could ring the bell. The cabin space was really tight, but they didn't seem to mind. Asher's favorite part was coming out onto the steps and yelling "All da board! Da train is leaving da station!" With all the kids getting along and playing so well, my friend and I were able to sit in the shade and catch up. What a fun time!
2013
2009
By the last full day of our stay in Denver, the kids were a mess emotionally. We decided it was best to just hang around my parents house and let everyone rest for the next leg of our journey. We did venture out that evening for dinner to celebrate my mom and sister getting raises.
2013
Ari & Asher 2009 & 2013
Dinners out with my family, Keenan's Aunt Sue and Asher snuggling Grandpa
Early the next morning we loaded up and drove to Wichita to visit Keenan's family. Our first full day there we took the kids to their friend Ivan's petting zoo. (Another Deja Vu from
2010!) The kids loved riding the pony and playing with the piglets, bunnies, ducks and chickens and their cousins too. We're so glad we made it out that morning because the rest of our visit was quite rainy. I still can't believe what a wet summer they are having!
Our last day we spent at Brent and
Kelsey's new house in the country. The cousins had lots of fun playing together while the grown-ups chatted. There was finally a break in the rain and the kids were able to collect some eggs and play with the chickens. Some friends came over for dinner and the adults were outnumbered 10-6 by all the kiddos!
We had originally planned to stay until the next morning, but instead we drove home that night. We had some things to take care of back at home that were causing Keenan stress and lack of sleep. We're slowly getting back into our routine and gearing up for school to start in just a few short weeks! Hooray for summer!
