Park Time- aka Get Your Wiggles Out 'Cause We're Going To Be In The Car ALLL Day!

Our last day in KC we headed to a local park located on the Missouri River.  We wanted the kids to have a chance to get all kinds of wiggles out since they would literally be in the car for the next two days!  My sister and her sweet kiddos joined us as did my brother, and of course, Rebecca and Thomas were there as well!  It was hot, muggy and rather buggy, but we still managed to have fun!

Addie between two of her favorite men!

Cousins touring outer space together!

These two played so sweetly together the entire time!!  Since they are outnumbered, it's a good thing!!

Dad and some of his grandkids!

Girls hanging out where there was a teeny-tiny breeze!

Gasp!  Alden learned here, that babies can be fun!!  He actually enjoyed pushing N around and helped him fall asleep!!

Sunday Funday in KC

Sunday, our last full day in KC, was a blast!  We went to church and since there is no Children's Worship during July, the kids stayed with us....  It gave me a whole new appreciation for Children's Worship!!  After that we headed to my brother's house for left-overs from the party- and there was plenty of yummy KC bbq to go around!  The kids had a blast getting to play with their cousins- they played Wii and in a sprinkler while Rebecca, Annie and I had pedicures- so nice!  After that, my sister and her crew headed home while the rest of us headed for a local community water park.  Both Addie and Alden remembered it from last time- and they couldn't wait to freak out the lifeguards by jumping off the high-dive!!  It was great and I think everyone rested well after such a fun-filled day!

All the big kids playing Wii

My pretty girls!!  Addie was excited to see Rudo in her old swimsuit and promptly gave her her bow since it matched her swimsuit- as you can tell, Rudo LOVES bows!!

The girls getting pampered!

Pretty toes!!

1st thing Alden did- off the high dive!!  He did do it about 10 more times, and earned the respect of the group of high school boys who were doing the same thing!

Addie in mid-flight!  She only went a handful of times- she did enjoy shocking the lifeguards and impressing the same group of high school boys!  Love that the kids are such fish!!

The two big slides!  The kids were still sad that they aren't tall enough...  Maybe in a few years....

The kiddy play area- they did love the slides!  They also loved the lazy river, but I didn't get any pics of that!

Surprise!! Happy 60th Birthday, Dad

My Dad's birthday was in June and he turned 60.  We couldn't all get to KC at that time, so we threw him a surprise party when we could all be there!

Suprise!  Good friends were there- what fun! 

A whole group shot

Just family

Siblings 

The most important part- cake!

Fun with the kids- this is possibly my favorite!!

So sweet!

Not too bad!!  They are a pretty cute crew!

Crown Center- KC Day 2

Early Saturday we headed to Crown Center where there are a ton of fun, and free, things for the kids to do!  We met my sister, Emily, and her 4 kids at Kaleidoscope, a hands-on arts and crafts place sponsored by Hallmark.  The kids had a blast coloring, painting, gluing, and puzzle-making.

I love the concentration

Hard at creating...

The two girls had a blast together!

After our 40 session was over, we had to leave- sadness!  But happily there was a hands-on dinosaur exhibit!  The kids had a blast!!

The two eldest!

Attempt to get a pic with everyone!

Aren't they adorable even though they are trying to be fierce!

It was a super fun afternoon!  The kids had fun together and happy memories were made!

Sailing- KC Day 1

For as long as I can remember, my Dad has been passionate about sailing- and for most of my life, he has owned a sailboat.  We were super excited that the weather looked good for sailing on our first full day in KC- and since Al is smart, and he brought our trailer hitch, we took TWO boats out!!  My Dad, Young, Rebecca, Thomas and Alden started out in my Dad's boat, Mimi Too, while Ian (my brother), Al, Addie and myself took Elf, the smaller boat.  Addie didn't like how our boat tipped when we got wind, so we actually sailed close enough to my Dad's boat and passed her off!  Since everyone was busy either with a child or a boat, sadly, the event was not captured on film, but I promise you, it happened and she was much happier!

PopPop's Helper

Addie happy (for the moment) to be on the little boat....

Sailing by!  Addie is cowering in the front of the boat....

Just after the hand-off, she is SO happy to not be in the little boat that tipped.

He is STILL talking about getting to drive the big boat!!

We all dropped anchor and enjoyed a little swim!

And we made it back!!

St. Louis Arch

On our way to Kansas City, we drove right through St. Louis and decided to stop!  The Austrian in our group had never been, nor had the two shortest of our group!  The kids were so excited when Aunty Becca and Uncle Thomas offered to take them up while Al and I found some lunch.  It was a great little detour!

The Arch from the road

Waiting for their Capsule to take them to the top.

Peaking below

So excited

Excited to be at the top!

Loving it!

Even a quick family pic!

The Zillingers Arrive!!

While in NY, we picked-up Rebecca and Thomas!!  They flew in from Austria and planned to drive with us to KC to celebrate our Dad's 60th birthday!  First we spent 2 days at our house and then headed for Nashville, TN to spend the afternoon and night with our Mom.  

Yay!!  Welcome to America!!  Now that you've been awake for 18 hours, let's drive 8 more!!

Homemade, Authentic Apple Strudel!!

We spent a day at Virginia Beach- yay!! 

Beautiful sunrise across the Blueridge Mountains!

Al got a tour of downtown Nashville!