Kansas Trip {Part Three}

Okay, you guys, let's get real! This Kansas Trip was a whole month ago! With my "pregnancy brain" I can't even remember what I had for dinner last night, so I'm not about to try and remember every specific detail about our fun trip to the Kansas City Zoo. 

I can tell you a few things though.. So here they are:

+It was like 75 degrees and sunny on the day we decided to go to the zoo and it felt like summer! (Let's be honest, living in Idaho that's the closest I've been to summer since August.)

+Both babies had a blast! I don't think either had much of a morning nap, and they were still happy! 

+Speaking of no naps, Abbi gave up and fell asleep in her stroller half way through our day and she was OUT! Loud sounds, the sun in her eyes, stinky animals, nothing could wake her up! We gave her about 20 minutes to sleep and then I took her out of her stroller and woke her up. Let's just say I wasn't exactly her 'best friend' after that...

+ Hailey loved the penguins and Abbi loved the Lemurs. I think she stayed at their exhibit for 10 minutes just watching as each one leaped from branch to branch. {And can I just say I had this theme song running through my head the whole time. Drew had never heard of this show,  please tell me I'm not the only one?!?!} 

+We had an absolute blast! I wish we lived closer to Lindsay and Hailey, we could make this a daily thing and I don't think any of us would/could get sick of it. 

Thanks for the fun time Grandma, Lindsay and Hailey! We can't wait until the next time we can get together! 

Kansas Trip {Part Two}

We didn't waste any time that next morning! 

We woke up bright and early! {thank you time difference and a stubborn toddler who doesn't know how to "sleep in"} After breakfast, we all got ready and headed out for an afternoon of fun! First stop was Panera Bread. I feel as though I missed out! Pregnancy food aversion and nausea were acting up and I didn't really get to enjoy my lunch! 

Next time, Panera, next time. 

After lunch, we ventured into an older part of Kansas City to the children's museum. The neighborhood seemed a little bit questionable, but the museum itself was so fun! Obviously, well used and so so enjoyable! 

The museum had a bunch of different rooms all with different themes! It was so fun! As we started to leave each room, Abbi would have an absolute meltdown. She was having so much fun and didn't want to leave. Then, we would show her the next room and her face would light up! It didn't matter what was in the room, it was the coolest thing she had ever seen! 

One of her favorite rooms was the little shop they had full of recycled materials. They were selling things like toilet paper rolls, cardboard, old pieces of metal, aluminum cans, etc for dirt cheap. Essentially, it was a room full of garbage for sale and Abbi couldn't get enough. I think she is going to be a creative little booger when she gets older and she she didn't get that from me. Trust me. 

Can I just take a moment to say something and get it off my chest?! I have made an executive decision {meaning, Drew has no say in the matter whatsoever}

Starting yesterday, any extra money we have is going into a "project adopt an African baby fund!" 

Seriously, at the children's museum they had a room full of dolls. Abbi quickly chose the cutest little baby doll and wouldn't put it down. I died and couldn't even handle how cute it was! I feel the same way Abbi. One day, one day. 

We had such a fun time at the children's museum! If only Kansas was 30 minutes away instead of 16 hours, we would be there every single day!

Kansas Trip {Part One}

One year ago, my sister gave birth to a sweet baby girl. Hailey Rae Simmons was born and there was nothing I wanted more than to pack my bags, fly on a plane and cuddle my new baby niece. My mom was flying out and she offered to let me and 6 months old Abbi tag along. We were so excited! But the day before we were supposed to leave, Abbi had a fever spike and she started coughing. I took her to the doctor the and she had an ear infection and he wanted us to go to the hospital and get tested for RSV. To the hospital we went and our poor baby did in fact have RSV. I called my Mom and canceled our trip... 

{We were SOOO disappointed}

fast forward a year...

My Mom was flying out to Kansas for Hailey's first birthday and invited us to come with her! YAY!
{We were stoked!}

I told Abbigail she wasn't allowed to get sick or else I would ground her for life! Luckily, she listened.

We packed our bags and even though we were a little nervous to leave Daddy and fly on a big airplane, we headed to the airport! Our flight from Twin Falls to Salt Lake City was only about a half an hour. Abbigail did SO well! We read books, said 'hi' to just about everyone on the plane twenty times and ate snacks. The only time she cried was on the descent. I was one proud Mama.

My Mom was waiting for us at the Salt Lake airport. We were so excited to see Grandma! It was so helpful to have her to help with Abbi while on the airplanes and throughout our vacation. Our flight from Salt Lake to Kansas was a little over two hours. I was nervous because Abbigail doesn't usually cuddle or fall asleep in my arms. Our flight was from 8:30-11:00 PM. She surprised me and after a 15 minute fight to stay awake she gave in and fell asleep. I just laid her down on the two seats next to me and she slept for the whole flight! I was so relieved. 

^^ Oh yeah, and as always, Bubble Guppies saved us during her fussy times! ^^

After a long, long evening of flying, we arrived in Kansas about 11:30, but after getting our luggage, waiting for a rental car, and driving to Lindsay's house, we didn't make it to bed until about 1:30 AM. We were exhausted and slept great!

TO BE CONTINUED....

Oregon Coast: Part 2.

The moment we pulled up to the beach house, I opened the car door and could immediately smell and hear the ocean. I knew I was in my happy place. I am familiar with the Oregon Coast. I went often growing up and I have loved it for some time. 

The beach house my parents' rented was perfect. It was only a minute walk to the beach and it was a dream. There were basically two houses attached. Some slept in the larger house, and we (along with my younger siblings and Grandma) slept in the smaller house. But, we spent the day with everyone else and hung out in the big house. It was a big group of people and quite the party!

Not too long after we arrived, we all put on our matching shirts (parents made for the trip) and headed over to the beach to take pictures! Oh the weather was PERFECT! (all weekend actually.) If you're familiar with the coast at all, you know usually the weathers requires long pants, and sweatshirts. It was 75 degrees and sunny! You couldn't have asked for better weather!

As soon as Abbi saw the ocean, she started pointing saying "wow" and "ooooh". She LOVED it (from a distance.) She never did warm up to the temperature of the ocean. We took our traditional siblings jumping picture, introduced Abbigail to the ocean and soaked it all in.

Oh it was wonderful! After spending a little time at the beach, we headed into Tillamook. In Tillamook, we went to the farmers market and the Tillamook Cheese Factory. It was so much fun! I love going to farmers markets! They are always so colorful and full of personality! I just adore them!

... and I just adore the Cheese Factory as well! I've been quite a few times before this, and Drew and I went when we were on our honeymoon. ( actually this trip brought back a lot of memories from our honeymoon!) At the Cheese Factory, we went on the tour, sampled cheese, at incredible ice cream, and ate lunch at the cute cafe there. {my camera died right as we arrived, so all the pictures from here were from my sister's iphone. Thanks Savannah!

The next day we spent a lot of time at the beach! It was so perfect! The weather was warm enough we could put our swimsuits on and play in the water! So awesome! Again, Abbi didn't like the water, but she LOVED the sand and searching for cool rocks! So she had a good time..

After the beach, some of us went to go see a lighthouse! It was a smaller lighthouse, but still so fun to visit! We also went on a little hike to go see the "Octopus Tree". That was fun too! Except, on the way back down, Abbi tripped and got her first fat lip. Poor girl! She is really tough, and didn't cry for too long, but her lip was fat for a couple days!

After our fun day, we went back to the beach house, ate some dinner and sat on the deck where we had an awesome view of the beach. My Dad played some guitar and Abbigail danced! She loves music!

The next morning we packed up our bags and got ready for our long drive back home! We tried to get one last family picture before we left, but Abbi wouldn't exactly cooperate. So we blew bubbles at her... and it still didn't work. Little Stinker! 

We had SOOOO much fun at the Oregon Coast! A little vacation was just what we were needing and it was perfect! Thanks Mom & Dad! You guys are the best! Can't wait till we can see you again!