We (Heart) Kansas City!

This past weekend was another weekend in Kansas City for our family. This seems to be a fairly frequent occurrence for us, but we are definitely not complaining!

About a month ago, Lisa texted me about our family coming to KC for a hockey game. They wanted to purchase the tickets as their gift to the kids for their birthdays. Chris and I love an experience gift, so we thought this was a splendid idea. We made a plan to go to a Valentine's Day hockey game in KC!

Unfortunately, a few days before the game, Brooke came down sick. I was immediately nervous that she was going to be as sick as Bren was last month and didn't know if we'd be able to go to the game. Thankfully, Brooke was only sick for about two days, and we were able to carry on with our plans.

We left home about noon on Friday to make the trip to KC. We arrived in town in time to check in to our hotel and meet Russ, Lisa, and Chloe at a Mexican restaurant for dinner before the hockey game. 

It was cold and there was snow on the ground in KC, but we didn't let that deter us from having a fun night. The game was at the Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, and we were ready for some hockey!

The girls with the KC Mavericks mascot, Mac!

Russ, Chris, Brenson

Brianna, Chloe, Brooke, Brecklyn

Chelle, Lisa, Russ, Chris, Bren

Ready for some action!

Chris and I had never been to a hockey game before, and we were immediately surprised at how fast paced and violent it was. I mean, I know that hockey is known for fights and blood on the ice, but I guess I didn't realize that the entire game was as rough as it is.

The KC Mavericks played the Tulsa Oilers, and we truly had a great time at the game! I'm pretty sure the spectators were every bit as entertaining as the game :-).

The next morning, we decided to meet up with the Earls at about 10:00am downtown to visit the KC Public Library. I had seen photos of the parking garage adjacent to the library and was interested in seeing it in person. We parked in said parking garage and braved the blustery and cold weather to do some sight-seeing.

The parking garage painted like a bookshelf was truly stunning. And, I love that there is snow on the ground in our photos.

The Public Library itself was just as incredible as the painted parking garage next door. Such gorgeous architecture!

The library is located in an old bank building, and it seemed like about half of the library was also a museum that shares the history of downtown and that building specifically. 

The children's area of the library was one of the cutest areas I have ever seen in a library. We had a great time exploring it all. 

In the basement of the building is the Film Vault. It houses thousands of movies and films that cardholders can borrow. The best part, though, was that we were able to see the old bank vault. It was fascinating. 

We spent well over an hour in the library scouting out all the interesting things. It had such an urban and historical vibe - totally different than what we are used to at home! There was a definite population of homeless people in the library (maybe because it was so cold outside?), and there was also a distinct smell where they had gathered. At one point, we walked by them on our way to the bathroom, and Brooke said, "WHAT is that smell???" At another time, I had asked a question to a library employee wearing a hijab. Brecklyn said, "Why was that lady wearing a mask???" It was just such a different experience than what my kids are familiar with.

It was about lunchtime by the time we finished at the library. Chris found a local sandwich shop called "Pigwich" that was about a half a mile away from the library. We decided to walk to it, but entered the front side of the building by mistake into a meat market called Local Pig. The second we walked in, Lisa and I looked at each other . . . that meat market smell is so distinct and it took us right back to Ukraine!

As it turned out, Local Pig and Pigwich are connected and owned by the same proprietor. We were excited to learn that Pigwich had been featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It was the perfect selection for lunch!

And the food? It did not disappoint at all! Lisa and I split this plate and were both plenty full. Delicious!

Before we left the building, we had to stop by the restrooms. The architecture was just beautiful!

We didn't realize it at first, but Local Pig/Pigwich are located in the City Market. The city has poured a lot resources into this area of downtown over the past few decades, and it was really nice. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring City Market. 

I love how you can see part of the skyline in this photo . . . the perfect backdrop!

We enjoyed the fresh produce, vegetables, and shops of all kinds in City Market. What a treasure!

After walking several blocks in City Market, we ended up at the Arabia Steamboat Museum. Chris and I actually visited this museum about 20 years ago during Christmas break. We didn't have time to go into the museum, but the kids enjoyed seeing the water wheel. 

Chloe and Bri

 Another entrance to City Market . . . we loved the urban vibe of it all! This sign says Est. 1857. Wow!

At this point, we were about three quarters of a mile from the parking garage. While we could have easily walked back, we were all cold and decided it would be more fun to ride the electric tram (AKA KC Streetcar) back to our vehicles. 

It is free to ride and stops in several places at City Market as well as the Library. 

Waiting to ride the KC Streetcar

While riding public transportation is something Lisa and I did a ton while we were growing up, it's not something we have ever done much in the US. And it was definitely a new experience for my suburban children.

Brecklyn and Brooke

Chloe, Brianna, and Bren

Our group enjoying the reprieve from the cold and wind!

We could have ridden on the KC Streetcar all the way to Union Station (which was our original plan), but the weather forecast was calling for snow that evening and we decided we had better head toward home before it got too yucky outside. Riding the Streetcar to Union Station and visiting there (again) is on our list for next time!

Once we got back to the parking garage, we said goodbyes and started for home. Thankfully, we got home before it started snowing. While cutting our trip a little short was not what we wanted, we really had the best time at the hockey game and sight-seeing in the city! We are so thankful for these fun family experiences!

Little Blue Bible Camp, 2023

Once again this year, Brianna and Brenson decided they wanted to be campers at Little Blue Bible Camp. Camp is a week long (from Sunday through Friday), and last year Bri chose to go for two sessions. This year, however, she was content to do just one session since she has several others things going on this summer. Brenson had no desire to do two sessions last summer, and that didn't change this summer! As an added bonus, our friend, Sadie, also went this year. 

We enjoyed taking them up to camp this year (you can read all about it here), and by the time Sunday afternoon rolled around, they were ready to commence their week at camp! Brianna started out in Cabin 4 with Sadie. She was the oldest girl in the cabin, but Cabin 5 was full. However, one girl who was slated to be in Cabin 5 didn't end up coming to camp for the week, so the director of the session gave Bri the option to move to Cabin 5. She was happy with this as Cabin 5 was where all her friends were and moved before Sunday evening was over. 

Bri in her original spot in Cabin 4

Brooke, Brecklyn, and Caroline helping get Sadie settled in Cabin 4

Brenson moving into Cabin 1 for the week

After Bri moved to Cabin 5, Aunt Lisa was her counselor. This made momma happy, and I feel like everything worked out just like it should have. They ended up having a fantastic week, with one of the highlights being Bri's friend, Ashlyn, was baptized!

Chloe, Bri, Walker, Madi, Charlotte, Brayden, Ethan, and Samuel hanging out in the Mess Hall

The Oklahoma Crew!

These six girls have a special friendship, and it makes me so happy for Bri to have a group of girls! It's something I pray that my girls will have because having a group of girl friends in my life has been such a blessing for me!

Lydia, Chloe, Brianna, Ashlyn, Charlotte, and Vaneza

Vaneza had this necklace made and gave each of the girls a piece during the week. So special and fun!

Tia and I went together on Friday morning to pick up the kids. We stopped in Harrisonville for lunch at The Branding Iron (old stomping grounds from when we lived there way back when), then made our way to camp to get the kids. Sadie was so sweet when we pulled up - she'd had a great week and been fine, but when she saw her momma she got emotional. Brianna had a super scratchy voice from staying up all night talking, but it was a sure sign of a good week. On our way out, we stopped to take a pic of the kids with the sign.

Brenson and Brianna - LBBC 2023

There was lots and lots of talking and stories on the drive home, but eventually everyone conked out. Sleep deprivation at camp is no joke! 

We made it home Friday evening just as a storm was rolling in. We watched the amazing lightning, and I couldn't believe I was able to capture this photo!

The rest of the evening was spent at the kitchen table. I had a puzzle going, and Bri and Bren sat there with me for a long time just talking all about their week. Brianna was so emotional about everything (and of course lack of sleep played a big part in that) that she just cried and cried and cried. Everything was ok . . . I just think she was overwhelmed with emotion from the week. I remember that feeling well after camp! We are just grateful beyond words that the kids are able to go and have these experiences. If they're like me, it will be something they remember always.

Who's That Funny Bird?!?

On our way to take Brianna and Brenson to Little Blue Bible Camp outside of Kansas City, Missouri this year, we took the opportunity to do some sightseeing. Last year, we went to KC on Sunday morning to check them into camp on Sunday afternoon (stopping for worship on the way), and it was A LOT. This year, we did things differently!

The session of camp Bri and Bren are attending began on Sunday, July 13th (they're actually still there, and I can't wait to go pick them up tomorrow and hear all about everything). We left our house on Saturday, July 8th to go to Independence, Kansas to visit The Little House on the Prairie Museum. We arrived at the museum (after stopping for lunch at Arby's) around 12:30pm. 

Brooke and Brecklyn were so cute to remember their bonnets from visiting the Ingalls home in Minnesota a few years ago. Brianna - who wore her bonnet all around back then - wanted nothing to do with her bonnet this time :-(.

Brianna, Brecklyn, Brooke, and Bren inside a replica of the Ingalls Family cabin

Brecklyn and Brooke in the doorway of the cabin

Lovely grounds!

A replica of a covered wagon used by the Ingalls Family

Post Office

One room schoolhouse

The kids were amazed by the one room schoolhouse!

Bren and Daddy

Of course, the kids enjoyed watching the farm animals.

This is something we've been wanting to do for a while, so we were happy to finally get there!

Once we left the Little House on Prairie Museum, we drove to Lawrence, Kansas (about 2 1/2 hours) where we had a hotel reserved for the night. Of course, being home to the University of Kansas, Lawrence provided many, many opportunities for us to see the KU Jayhawk. After we had seen several, Brecklyn said, "Who's that funny bird we keep seeing?" 😂 I couldn't wait to text my parents and tell them what she said!

This year, Sadie is also going to LBBC, so the S family met us in Lawrence for dinner. We checked into our hotel, then walked about a mile to a ramen restaurant where we met up with them. After dinner, we took the opportunity to walk around Lawrence and enjoy photo ops with the "funny bird".

Funny bird or funny children?!?

Miss C has always been Bri's baby!

As we were walking around (seeing all kinds of crazy things because it was Saturday night in a college town), we spotted an ice cream shop. Chris and Ross took the kids to get ice cream, while Tia and I went to the store next door to buy specialized *non-alcoholic* drinks. We got several varieties of root beer and cream soda to try. 

Then, we met up with our cute kids and husbands enjoying ice cream. 

Bren, Bri, Brooke, and Caroline

Sadie and Brecklyn

Ross and Chris

We're not sure what exactly happened while we were gone, but apparently Ross took up smoking 😂.

Once we finished with ice cream, we parted ways for the evening.

Walking back to our hotel in Lawrence, Kansas

The next morning (Sunday), we all went to Bible class and worship in Olathe, Kansas. We ate lunch at a yummy Italian restaurant with the Halls before we all caravanned out to Little Blue to get our kids dropped off at camp. I'll do a separate post all about camp in a few days. 

We drove back to Olathe for worship that evening after getting the kids settled. Chris had made plans to work in his office in Overland Park on Monday and Tuesday, so we checked into a hotel near his office in OP. 

On Monday morning, Chris took an Uber to work from our hotel so we could have the van for the day. Brooke, Brecklyn, and I met Ross, Tia, and Caroline at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead for a day of adventure. 

Brecklyn admiring the windmill

Brecklyn, Brooke, and Caroline with the teepee

The animals are always a favorite!

Learning to work inside the teepee!

The grounds were so interesting!

Our favorite part of the day was when we were able to pet and feed the goats. Brooke definitely found a new friend!

Caroline was pretty unsure at first, but she warmed-up eventually.

Brecklyn couldn't get enough of the goats!

The goat in the photo below loved Brooke and followed her all around . . .

. . . and kept eating her shirt!

We were even able to take a little hayride. I was laughing because I wondered what people thought of Ross with two women and three children, haha.

Watching a blacksmith work

The girls were able to hold some of the blacksmith's work.

Before we ended our visit, we walked around a lovely botanical garden on the grounds. 

Ross, Tia, and Caroline headed back to Oklahoma once we left the Children's Farmstead, while Brooke, Brecklyn, and I went back to our hotel. We had a little rest time, then Chris got back to the hotel from work. We decided to take the girls to The Plaza area of KCMO to sightsee and eat at Chuy's. 

It was a perfect evening for walking around, so we parked the van and enjoyed exploring.

The girls weren't sure what to think of all the fountains. So many questions, haha!

The beautiful KC Plaza

Brooke and Brecklyn

So many pretty sites!

It honestly felt really strange to be there with only two children, but I was determined to make the best of our time :-).

💜💜💜

Chris went into the office again on Tuesday morning, but the girls and I were pretty tuckered out from all the sightseeing and running around we had been doing over the past several days. We slept in a bit, then the girls decided they wanted to go swimming before we had to check out of our hotel. They had a blast swimming and were sad when they had to get out so we could get checked out on time.

Once we got everything packed up and checked out, we went to eat lunch. Then, it was time to pick up Daddy from work so we could drive home that afternoon. 

It feels like we just got home from KC (because it's kind of true!), but I am heading back tomorrow with Tia to pick the kids up from camp. I can't wait to hear all about their week! I hope they've been having as much fun as us!