Weekend Blur

We had an exciting weekend! The boys had a karate tournament this weekend at William Jewel College in Libery, Mo. Since we were planning on being there all Saturday we knew we'd want to stay overnight. Shaun and I decided to go the night before so we wouldn't be rushed getting there, so we spent two nights. Since we were going to be in the area, I brought up the opporunity to have a little fun while we were there. Karate is fun for the boys, and we like to watch it. We had the chance to spend the weekend in KC, so this is what we did:

Friday- left Manhattan at 5:30, ate dinner at a nice restaurant, spent the night at Comfort Suites (N KC/Liberty)

Saturday- breakfast at hotel
drove to downtown KC to Hallmark Crown Center
enjoyed an hour or so at Kaliescope (free place for kids to make fun crafts)
ate lunch at an AWESOME old-style cafe which delivered the lunch by train! This was at the Crown Center. We just happened upon it, now knowing what it was until we sat down and figured it out ourselves. The food was great and it was very fun for us all. The boys had fun watching the train deliver the food and watching the trains and trucks running in the walls!

drove back to Liberty for Karate Tournament. Only were there for five hours this time! The boys did not participate in the sparing competition which saved us a lot of time. Logan got four medals (some silver, some gold) which he later traded a couple in later for a third-place trophy. Shane received a second-place trophy in his first event- Strongest Kick!!! He also recieved medals for the other three events he participated in. We go to one or two tournaments a year. The boys really enjoy doing this.

After the tournament we went to Golden Corral and had a nice meal then the boys and Betsy spent a while at the hotel pool. The boys had lots of fun jumping in. They are definately more confident now than they were a year ago. Swim lessons twice this year seems to have helped. Shaun and I got to watch them jumping in for a while. We were both exausted and retired to bed earlier than everyone else.

Sunday- breakfast at the hotel then drove to Independence for the new Bass Pro Shop (very much like the KCK Cabella's). We took lots of pictures of the boys there, then Shane climbed the rock way (got half way!) and Logan played in the "shooting range" before we had lunch at their fabulous restaurant. Betsy also climbed the rock wall, doing VERY well and almost reached the top. There aren't many good foot holes at the top and she was worn out by then. I couldn't have gotten that high! She did great!

After Bass Pro Shop, we drove downtown again to the Union Station. Betsy went to "Bodies Revealed" a very interesting exhibit of human bodies, showing muscle systems, nervous systems, and blodd systems. I got to see the book she purchased afterward. It was very interesting. As a nurse, she really enjoyed getting to see this exhibit. Shaun, the boys, and I went to Science City (we'd been there once before with Granny and Allie. Was Papa there too?). The boys remembered all their favorite parts and had fun showing their dad around the "city." We stayed there for three hours while Betsy was at her exhibit. We saw the "Train Experience" exhibit, a short movie in the planetarium, and play at Science City. The boys are hoping to go back again soon. I think we could have been there all day, easily.

Then we went home, arriving back in Manhattan around 8:30 pm.

All-in-all a very happy and productive weekend, all about the boys. We all had lots of fun and had a great family weekend. I think those are becoming our favorite things to do! A year and a half ago we'd spent the weekend in Omaha, doing lots of fun activities there. We might have to make this an annual habit- spending two days out of town. It's exhililarating and refreshing! We can't wait for our next trip- to Tennessee for Golda and Jeremy's wedding!

Hopefully I'll post pictures later this week!