Zona Rosa

Zona Rosa is a gorgeous outdoor mall. It is huge, probably 4 blocks by 3 blocks long. There are several of my favorite shops, as well as lots of great dinning options. I could spend several days there, and be one happy lady. My incentive for the kids to go with me is that they have a really yummy noodle restaurant, with the best mac 'n cheese. There also is this beautiful fountain that the kids can play in. Ethan is the best big big brother and held Libby in the fountain. That was the only way she would go in.

Last week Shawn started work late so he was able to go play with us there. It was fun, we don't get a lot of family time, so when we get a few hours to ourselves we treasure it! Libby is so in love with her Daddy.

The Fourth

Fireworks...huh? All I care about is this yummy funnel cake!

For the fourth of July we went to Worlds of Fun. We had a blast. The boys were pumped on going on the roller coasters, but after getting there they decided they were not ready for that. So we took turns going on kid rides and letting Mommy and Daddy go on a fun ride. It worked out, everyone was happy. Libby went on her first carousel horse, and thought that was the funnest thing ever. Although she didn't understand that she had to hold on the whole time, don't worry Mama was right there! At ten, which I was surprised we even made it till then, they had a big firework show. But the kids weren't that into it, they were more interested in the funnel cake we were sharing, but who could blame them! I guess if you've seen one firework show, you've seen them all!

Happy Fourth of July

Choo Choo!

The food being delivered to our table by train. Hmmmm, do I need to tip the train??

A friend that I met at church suggested to check out this little hamburger joint, she said its must do! So after looking it up I decided we did have to check it out. This restaurant was really cool, the kids thought it was so fun. After being seated you are instructed to order your food through a phone that is at your table. Then you wait for your food to be delivered...by train! They have a train that goes around the entire restaurant on a track near the ceiling. When the food gets to the right table there is an arm that sticks out and stops the food, and the train keeps going. It probably makes more sense by looking at the pictures (Sorry I know my pictures are not in order! They are backwards, look from the bottom up!). It is such a clever idea. Throughout your meal the trains keep going around the room, delivering food to other tables. Even Libby enjoyed it!

MO

Libby is helping me bake. She loves to be where the action is. We have been doing lots of baking. Chocolate cake, lemon cake, chocolate cookies, and even snickerdoodles! Yummo!
There is a tiny stream that runs next to the apartment. It is filled with tadpoles and frogs!
I brought pictures of cousins and aunts and uncles, etc. to hang on the wall. We love sharing memories (mostly silly ones, the cousins are a pretty entertaining group!) while looking at the pictures.
Here is the pool that we go to almost everyday. Libby hasn't decided if she likes the water or not. She mostly likes to walk around the pool (and make me a nervous wreck!) This pool is fun though because it has a beach front entrance so Libby can sit there and sort of be in the water, but not to deep!

We have been doing a little sight seeing. We visited the Liberty Jail, where Joseph Smith was imprisoned. We went to downtown Kansas City and looked at all the really old buildings, that are amazing. We have found several really cool parks. Hayden's favorite was a park that has a 2o foot penguin and 4 merry go rounds, that he played on until he was sick! Ethan has even joined the eleven year scout group for the summer, and got to go on their camp out with his new friends. We went to St. Joseph and visited a museum about the history of the town, including the pony express and the civil war.

There are still lots left on my to do list. I want to visit the library in downtown, mostly because it is in the coolest building. I want to visit the local farmers market, and maybe find some fun flea markets. So much to do! But it is so hot here (I was hoping to escape the heat, but no such luck!)

I hope you are enjoying your summer, too!!

The dreaded drive

Our journey started bright and early. We were excited to embark on our little adventure. We hadn't seen Shawn in seven weeks, so Dad was a novelty and definitely took the edge off of the drive, just being together was a treasure and made something as boring as a drive fun. The kids were amazing, even if Hayden did ask about a billion times "how much longer" or "are we there yet". We stayed the night somewhere in Texas. Shawn was tempted to drive all the way through, but I wanted the drive to feel like part of our vacation, so we checked ourselves into a hotel. We swam in the hotel pool, and watched TV curled up in bed together. The drive was beautiful, but admittedly I missed a lot of it because I had my nose in a book. We have a tradition to listen to book on tape from the library on a long drive. But since we will be gone for so long I couldn't check out anything, so I actually read a book aloud. It was fun, and really helped to pass the time. My favorite state that we drove through was Kansas. It is flat and one green field after another. I loved all the cute little farm houses, and all the tiny quaint towns, where I am sure you know everyone. I decided in my next life I want to be a farmer. But anyway, we made it to our destination. And was relieved to see that we have a super Target, and a Chipotle close by, I might survive. The drive here was great, but I am glad that the drive home isn't anytime soon! Two days of driving is plenty enough for me!

Packing up my life

I have a few movies that I like to put on while I am crafting, or just getting something done. At the top of my list are (but is not limied to) Ghost Town, Penelope and Juno, just to name a few. This week I keep thinking of another one of my favorites, which is Spanglish. I love Tea Leoni, and Adam Sandler is so funny, and he cooks. But what I keep thinking about is the part where the crazy Mom (Leoni) is unpacking their things at the summer house that is beach front, and totally amazing. Remember she even goes to a flea market for special finds, just for the summer house. Wouldn't you love to be able to do that? Ummmmm, yes please!

This summer we have a summer home. Unfortunately it is not beach front. But it will be just ours, complete with a stream in the back, and fire flies. Fire flies! I've never seen a fire fly, they seem so magical! Can you actually catch them in mason jars?...I will let you know! The drawback to our summer home is that it is 19 hours away. Gulp. And I am driving! Double gulp! So my problem is space. I have things that I need. Like a high chair, and the pack 'n play, and the stroller, and the Lego box. Ugh, my list goes on and on. And sadly my list does not include a fabulous flea market chandelier. I wish!

Its hard to pack for a whole summer. What will I need? What would you need? What are the basics? What can I do with out. I am not going to eat out every meal. To make mac 'n cheese you need a pot and a colander. And car space is a commodity. I am still trying to convince Shawn that we should save space by leaving clothes behind, and going on a shopping spree when we get there! But I don't think I will win that one.

So, I don't know what will make the cut out of the mountain of stuff I already have piled by the back door. But I will let you know...

My gratitude list

So I know its been awhile since I have posted any adorable pictures of my adorable kids... I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, I am still here. Shawn has been working out of town, trying his hand in a new line of biz, and so I have been a single Mama. To the say the least its been a roller coaster around here, we have ups and downs. I feel kinda bipolar to be honest with ya! And it usually goes hand in hand with how Shawn's days are going. If he is having a good day then I feel good, like I can conquer another day until we see him again. On his bad days I wonder why the heck we are doing this, and I am ready for him to just to come home to me, RIGHT NOW.

The other day I was having a low day, and I sat down to do what I always do when I am having a rough day, I journal. I like to vent out all my feelings, and when I close my book, I always feel better. So as I sat down to whine my heart out, something different happened. I didn't feel like whining, I was sick of my endless whining! Instead I started to make a list of all my favorite parts of my day. And something miraculous happened, I had a change of heart, and realized that I needed to stop focusing on everything that wasn't going my way that day. Because I truly do have SO MANY things to be grateful for. I mean seriously! I do feel so lucky for so many things, and that is what I need to focus on. Not just for the kids, or for Shawn, but for me too.
So I wanted to share a few of my favorite parts of my day:

Ethan bringing Libby into my room in the morning, and listening to him talk to her softly. And the way she is all smiles and giggles in his arms.

Ethan making breakfast for Hayden. He doesn't always do it happily, but he always does it obediently, and that makes me happy.

I love the way Hayden has become our chaplain, he always wants to say the prayers. And he loves to take his turn to read the scriptures to us, with Daddy on speaker phone.

I love how at the bus stop the kids always have to give me and Libby a hug and kiss, and say I love you! before they run off.

I love the way Libby's face lights up every time she sees me, even if its only been a few minutes.

I love that she copies me. She likes to pretend to put on make up, and chap stick.

I love when she pulls herself up and hugs my legs, or will walk around the kitchen attached to my legs!

I love that I get to cuddle on the couch with Hayden and read books after school.

These are just a few of my favorite things. But making this list really helped me put my day back in perspective. My day is way to short, and goes by to fast for me to waste it away being grumpy!

Whats your favorite part of your day!?