Spring Break Trip Part 3: Omaha & Easter

When we told Abby we were going to visit Aunt Karen and Uncle Lance in Omaha she asked, "do we have to get on the highway?" Poor kid. We were all feeling a little worn out but getting to see Karen and her family was worth every mile. We met for dinner at Upstream Brewing Company and then the following morning went to the zoo. It was cold and rainy but fortunately this zoo has a lot of indoor exhibits.

Like here in the Desert Dome.

And in the Cat Complex. Well hello, handsome.

Abby really enjoyed the aquarium, as well.

Abby and Phoebe had a fun time watching the penguins together. Both girls love animals and they became fast friends. 

Creepy but oddly beautiful.

I think we could spend an entire week at this zoo, but since it was such a cold and yucky day we were all ready to head home. I requested that we swing by the Butterfly Pavilion on our way out.

Back at Karen and Lance's we met up with our niece, Alley, who we haven't seen for years. She's graduating from high school next month and heading to the University of Nebraska-Omaha in the fall. It was good to catch up with her! Phoebe's twin sister Zoe wasn't feeling well so Lance had to take her to the doctor. I'm disappointed I didn't get any pictures of her with Abby.

We also got to meet Alley's boyfriend, Alex. They're one adorable couple.

So that sums up our 21 hour whirlwind trip to Omaha. I wish we could have stayed longer. I also wish we could see Karen and Lance more often and be more supportive of their family. Both Phoebe and Zoe have autism and Zoe also has Type 1 diabetes. After this short glimpse into their lives, I've decided Karen and Lance have to be two of the strongest people I know. Each day's challenges and the weight of responsibility they have on their shoulders for sweet Zoe has to be...exhausting. Is that wrong to say? There's just no way to sugarcoat their world. Yet what you sense the most from their home is the deep love they have for their daughters. It's present in every word, every action. It's present in the true selflessness that few of us have had to experience. It's present in their unwavering commitment, day after day, and in the way they advocate and fight for their girls. Karen and Lance, you are truly amazing. We will continue to pray for your family and I am inspired to learn more about autism and how we can better support you. We love you.

The next morning we woke up back at my parents' house and went to church for Easter. Abby and I took our annual mommy/daughter picture -- this year with snow flurries! Our Florida clothes weren't the best attire.

After church we had a lovely Easter brunch. My parents have a great recipe for slow cooker pork topped with pineapple salsa. We also had salad and Panera rolls (from the grocery store freezer section -- who knew?) with honey butter. And homemade carrot cake for dessert. Abby's favorite part of the meal was the pink strawberry flavored milk from nearby Shatto Dairy. I love the nostalgic glass bottles Shatto milk is sold in.

 

After lunch we had a little Easter egg hunt.

Abby ignored my requests for a smile.

The eggs were filled with coins and cute little chicks.

Like mother, like daughter.

The next morning we dragged Abby out of bed at 6:00am for our bright and early flight home. I think we can definitely check this trip off as a success. We were able to visit so many fun places, see everyone we wanted to see, and eat our way through the Midwest. Many thanks to all of our family and friends for the wonderful trip home. Our hearts are full!

Spring Break Trip Part 2: Kansas City

Let's jump back in right where we left off. After lunch in Wichita at La Galette, we said our goodbyes to the Zajkowskis and piled into the car for the drive back to Kansas City. What was next? More food, of course! We met my cousin Leah and her two cute kids, Lily and Landon, for a quick dinner at Joe's Bar-B-Que.

The next morning we woke to find thick, fluffy snowflakes swirling around in the air. Papa went outside to collect a snowball for Abby and she made a tiny little snowman!

He had toothpick arms and heart sprinkles for eyes.

Then it was off to church with my parents.

But we had to take a silly picture first.

After church we checked out Llywelyn's Pub in downtown Lee's Summit. The food was pretty good but they had the slowest. service. ever. 

Abby got a little testy.

Later that afternoon we met up with my Uncle Barry, Aunt Kate and cousin Matt at Panera. The men were thrilled, if you can't tell. Ha!

Then that evening we stopped by Poppy's for ice-cream.

The following day Robert and I were able to get away for a Boulevard Brewery tour. We highly recommend the Smokestack Tour and Tasting: "a 90 minute small group walking tour and guided tasting session that offers a special look at the inspiration, history and processes behind this incredibly acclaimed beer." Our tour guide was both highly informative and humorous. Wouldn't that be such a crazy "job" to have?

The gift shop had all kinds of fun items.

Robert picked up a souvenir Boulevard tulip glass. 

The tour started in the oldest part of the building which was previously used as a laundry facility for the railroad. The founder of Boulevard traveled to Europe, sampling all different kinds of beer. He fell in love with Belgium style ales and shipped over a vintage Bavarian brewhouse (not pictured) in 1988 and the rest is history.

These are the wort boilers where the hops are added. See? I learned something! They passed around hops for us to see and smell.

The rooftop deck had some pretty great views. You can rent out the space for events.

Then it was time for the tasting. I wish I could remember all of the combinations because they really were incredible. I am now a huge fan of goat cheese atop apricots, especially with their Long Strange Tripel. The caramel of the toffee was to die for paired with the IPA. Then we had a little salt with the salami followed by a cocoa cookie and Dark Truth Stout pairing. Delicious. Robert and I were in a happy, happy place.

The only problem? I made the mistake of having a salad for lunch. By the time we each sipped our pint of Tank 7 throughout the tour -- which has a pretty high alcohol content -- and then finished our samples, we needed some more food in our stomachs STAT. Originally we were going to check out an Italian restaurant the Zajkowskis had raved about but we decided we didn't want to drive. Our tour guide recommended a little hole in the wall South American restaurant within walking distance that apparently quite a few of the Royals players frequent. We had some delicious empanadas, happy conversation, and then we were good to to go. But first: say hello to the bear that was staring at me while I ate. Ha!

The next day we decided to explore downtown Kansas City. Robert has been wanting to check out the National WWI Museum and Memorial so we dropped him off there. He said it was fantastic.

My parents and I wanted to take Abby to the art museum but sadly it was closed. So instead, we drove to the downtown public library to see the giant books. I just love this!

Abby worked on the "puter" with Papa. (Other cute mispronunciations I want to remember: hummus is "tummus" and ukulele is "uku-larry.")

I got just a little misty eyed remembering the full two years of Goodnight, Moon I heard Robert reading every night.

She asked me to take this picture.

Such a beautiful library.

I think the following destination might have been the most memorable event of the entire trip for Abby: Kaleidoscope. I used to love going here as a little girl. It's basically creative arts heaven with supplies provided by Hallmark. And it's all free! Let me show you...

The sessions are 40 minutes long and they encourage you to let your kids create their art any way they wish, with no prompting or suggestions.

Abby turned the crank and cut her artwork into a puzzle.

This black light area was really cool.

Melted crayon art!

We all had a blast! Several days after our trip to Kaleidoscope Abby was still talking about it and telling Robert that he needs to go with her next time.

Later that evening we drove out to Lawrence, KS to visit my friend Carol. Carol and I have been friends since 1995 when we met in high school as horn players. She is now an amazing mom to SIX kids. The oldest, Lily, turns 9 next month. I really don't know how she does it. Not only that, but her kids are the most well-behaved, considerate, polite little humans I have ever met. At the dinner table I watched each of them devour big plates of vegetables and they took turns talking, never interrupting one other.

Carol and Josh live out in the country so the kids have a lot of room to run around and play. They also do quite a bit of gardening and include the kids in the work. Abby had a blast on this swing. All of Carol's kids let Abby go first and then waited patiently for their turn. 

Carol and Josh built this zip line fairly recently. It starts out pretty high up in the tree and zooms down the hill into a pile of hay bales. They thought Abby might be too young to ride it but once she saw the big kids go, there was no turning back. My stomach dropped just a bit seeing her up on that platform and I prayed she didn't let go as I waited at the end of the line. She had a HUGE smile on her face that I missed with my camera since I was holding out my arms to catch her. Our adventurous little girl!

It's beautiful, right? Beautiful land, beautiful friends.

The following day we had more family to visit in Cameron, MO where most of my dad's family still lives. Growing up, I spent every holiday in Cameron seeing both sets of grandparents and my many aunts, uncles, and cousins. They are the sweetest memories. On this visit we stopped by my Grandma and Grandpa Earley's house. My littlest cousins (so Abby's second cousins, I think?) -- Lillian and Adalynn -- arrived first and the girls had a fun time coloring together.

Then Grandpa Earley took Abby out on the tractor.

She could hardly contain her excitement.

Back inside we saw my Aunt MaryAnn.

My Aunt Denise.

And Aunt Laure finally got to meet Abby.

Uncle Mike taught Abby how to hide from the camera.

Abby with her Great-Grandma Earley.

It was a short but sweet visit. I really loved growing up in such a large family so I hope Abby can continue having opportunities to see her aunts, uncles and cousins.

The following morning I slipped away to meet my friend Jenny for coffee. Jenny and I met at Wichita State as music majors and lived together as roommates my senior year. She continues to be a close friend and it always feels like we can pick up right where we left off, even if we haven't seen each other for years. You know, the best kind of friend.

I was a little hungry and forgot to document before eating.

That evening we had yet more family to see. We ate ridiculous amounts of queso and tortillas at a Mexican restaurant with my Aunt Roberta and her daughter (my cousin), Robin... 

...and Uncle John.

The following morning we swung by my friend Kelli's house and Abby bounced on the trampoline with her new friend Hannah. I met Kelli the same year I met Carol in high school as -- you guessed it -- horn players. Apparently my closest, longest lasting friendships are all with horn players. The most important and impactful decision I ever made in my life was the instrument I chose in the 5th grade. That's just crazy.

The final part of this trilogy is our quick trip to Omaha and then Easter back in Lee's Summit. More soon!