spring break in KC!

Ga Ga and Papa travel to Arizona over spring break every year and we always love to go meet them to pick them up from the train station.  Sometimes they come into Minneapolis, sometimes Kansas City- and this year it was KC!

We had a half day of school on Friday and the third graders put on skits for the parents!  They had written this story and acted it out.  Andrew was so excited about it!

He was happy because he had the best part! #roar

We were so excited at 11:30 when school got out!  I texted this to my mom to let her know we were on our way!  

That night we took the kids to Dave and Busters.  This was my view when daddy and the kids were playing games.  I got myself an adult beverage and perused Facebook!  #yesplease

They love D&B.  Personally I feel it's a little chaotic, but I enjoyed my alone time while waiting for the food to arrive!  Ha!

Going for a night swim in a hotel is one of their favorite things.  We couldn't wait to meet Papa and Ga Ga the next day!

Kerigan got up super early with her daddy as usual so she wanted to go to the train station to pick up Ga Ga and Papa!  Andrew and I stayed in bed, sorry mom!  Ha! #shesinherpjs

Once we all got up and had breakfast we hit the Legends shopping area.  I could live at this place- love it!  Selfie with my shopping partner!  #shesthebestshopper #shelearnedfromthebest

We love to have dinner at the T-Rex Restaurant!

We always walk around and take pictures and see all the dinosaurs while we wait for the food!

This time Kerigan wanted to Build a Dino.  Andrew has done it the past two times but Kerigan never liked this restaurant before (she was always too scared of the big dinosaurs!  Ha!)  This time she decided she liked them.

She had to pick a pink one, of course.  And this is also the first year she would stand by this dinosaur! #growingup

Another night swim- with Papa and Ga Ga this time!

Worn out!  Ha!

Andrew was mad at us because we wouldn't turn the lights off at bedtime!  He was crowding Papa and Ga Ga in bed!  Ha ha.  He loves to cuddle with Ga Ga.  After a while he went with Kerigan in the roll away bed!

Of course after hotel breakfast we have to do a morning swim too!

I think everyone there thought we were crazy!  Either that or a super fun family- ha ha!  Craig and my mom kept getting into water fights with these squirt guns and once my mom squirted another little boy!  Ooops!  Ha!  Luckily they were nice and were laughing at us.  We like to have a good time wherever we go!

We hate when it's time to check out and leave! :(  Can we just live at the hotel and have fun all the time??  Papa set Kerigan's stuffed animals up like that and she thought it was so funny!

Before heading home we stopped at Crown Center- another favorite!

We weren't planning on seeing this guy- but he was right inside Crown Center!  A fun surprise.

The kids love Legoland.  We had to skip it this time and Andrew was disappointed, but are planning a fun surprise trip this summer to Legoland California and we can't wait!  I'm pretty sure it will top this one!

We love the exhibit at Crown Center- this time it was exploring animals!

The kids always have fun here!

Bear cave!

There are all kind of tunnels and places for them to hide and climb and run!

We love eating at the "train restaurant!"

Who doesn't love a train delivering your food??

Time to head home and back to reality after a short spring break mini vacation!  Until next time KC!

cheers to 40 years!

On March 12 my handsome hubby turned 40!  

The months leading up to this, I knew I wanted to do something special for him because he works so hard and does so much for us!

So I planned a big "Bobcat/Sports" themed surprise party!  I dug through all his old photos and had them blown up, made a banner and lots of Bobcats to decorate with!  I made posters out of his old football and basketball pictures!  I thought this was very appropriate for the Athletic Director of the school!  Ha!

 This all was no easy task, as my mom (aka main source of help!) was out of town and I couldn't tell the kids (I knew they would spoil it!)  Not to mention two weeks before is the week the stomach flu hit us, so I had to figure out how to get all this done amongst taking care of sick kids, myself, and a sick hubby!

Thankfully, I had the help of friends and a great neighbor who let me keep all my craft projects at her house!  We pulled it off and he was totally surprised!  

I hosted it at the Roundhouse, which is the high school gym.  We put this garbage can out so he would walk into the gym to pick it up!  Otherwise I knew he would go to his office first.  This is everyone hiding behind the bleachers waiting to surprise him.  The kids could not wait- they were so excited!

Craig had a large part in the multi-million dollar renovation that took place there last year.  He loves giving tours and telling people about it, so I knew he would enjoy doing this for his family and friends he hadn't seen in a long time.  All his coaches and administrators were also invited.  To get him there I had a friend on the Roundhouse committee set up a "fake" tour with some potential donors!  He totally fell for it.  And it was the only way to get him there and have him not be sitting around in his pajama pants!  Ha ha.

This man is the announcer of all the games and activities for the town and thinks the world of Craig.  He announced Craig when he walked in!  Craig's mom and dad are on the right and our friends little girls are in front, looking like they are part of our family (which they practically are!)  Ha!

I love his smile here.  His siblings, parents, high school friends and many local friends came to join us!

I had some of Craig's favorite foods catered.  He loves to eat, so I knew he would enjoy this!  Ha!

I wish I had taken a picture of all the food but we had stuffed mushrooms, pickle wraps, pizza pinwheels, sandwiches and more... and cake, of course!

Craig's parents and most of his siblings- (minus one brother) it meant so much to him that they all came!

Our families and kids!  It was fun to surprise my kids too- we left the house and they thought we were going to a movie!  Instead we went to our neighbor's house to change clothes and go to the high school to meet all their cousins!  They were thrilled!

Our family

The kids were so excited to surprise daddy and they had so much fun all day!

These are my people.  Couldn't have done this day without them!

Me and my bobcat! Ha!

This is two of Craig's very best high school friends, Tim and Jeremy.  Jeremy drove all the way from Missouri to be here.  They all enjoyed reconnecting!  Both these guys were in our wedding and I don't think we've seen them since.  It was so special that they came.

Andrew and his only 2 boy cousins.  He loves them more than anything!

The kids all had fun playing in the gym!

Kerigan with our friend Emily and cousin Evelyn

My sweeties

This girl adores her Grandma!  In case you couldn't tell!

Here is Craig doing his thing... giving a tour!

The Roundhouse is just gorgeous!

After the party I planned an "after" party at a local restaurant and had our close friends and family join us.  This is Kerigan with two of my sweet friends Heidi and Mandy (Kerigan loves them both!)

Cousin Brooke!

We had such a great day celebrating Craig!  Thanks to everyone who came to the party and helped make his day special!

CHEERS TO 40 YEARS!!!!!