Kansas City BBQ

 Our first taste of Kansas City Barbeque was at Arthur Bryant's!  AB's was recommended to us before we arrived and Bryon had done research on great BBQ spots in Kansas City, so, of course, we stopped here first thing.  

 Mural in the entrance-way.  Getting in line to get our grub.

 Bryon got burnt ends with cole slaw and toast.  We had never heard of burnt ends before today.  Needless to say, his plate was empty.  He liked it :)

 My pulled pork and potato salad.  Yum!  And that is from a loyal North Carolina BBQ fan!

Daniel loved my pulled pork.  He ate more of my plate than I did.  Little man after his daddies heart.  I see lots more Kansas City BBQ in our future.

Hotel Life

 At the Holiday Inn Express in Lansing, Kansas.  Our home away from home for the next couple of weeks while we work out the details to move into our house on post.  We had a great time in the hotel.  Breakfast was included each morning, so of course the kids had sugary waffles daily.  The pool was fun and of course Molly loved getting ice from the ice machine.  Why can't we live in a hotel all the time, mom!!

 There was no kitchen in the hotel so we frequented Ihop across the street.  These face pancakes were a fan favorite.

 Daniel creating his pancake face

 Pool time with daddy!  We spent lots of time in the pool.  

 Learning to dance while floating.  

 I'd say she's happy.  

 Even though we didn't have an actual home during this time, we realized even more than ever that home isn't the building you live in but wherever the people you love are.  

 Oops, you caught us!  We accidentally went to Outback and accidentally got a bloomin onion.  Oops :)

The Great Migration West

 Summer visits with our family are over and it's time to head to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas our new home for the next year.  Bryon will be beginning school at the Command and General Staff College in the fall.  Our household goods will be arriving soon from England and whats left we have packed in our uhaul.  

Headed west.  

Movies- check, snacks- check, toys- check

We're off!

 Driving through the Blue Ridge Parkway on our way from North Carolina to Tennessee. 

 Welcome to Tennessee!  Second state in our drive westbound.

Welcome to Kentucky!  State #3 our our journey.

 While in Kentucky, we met up with our friends the Gilleys.  Molly and Aurora, friends from England, were happy to see each other again.

 My friend Nancy and I 

 Mark and Bryon

 Welcome to Illinois!  This is our overnight stop.  We were all tired from a long day of driving and we ran into this lovely storm just as we arrived at the hotel.  

 Day two of our trip starts off making our way from Illinois to Missouri, home of the Gateway Arch.

 We are almost there!  Kansas here we come!

 Here we are!! Welcome to Fort Leavenworth!

 We are home Toto!  Kansas, smack dab in the middle of the USA, our nations heartland, home of the sunflower, buffalo, and tornado :)  Our home for the next year.  Stay tuned for more moving in adventures!

Good times with Grandpa

 Our next stop in Erie, was to Grandpa Mushrush and Gram Marion's house.  Oh and Norton too.  Molly loved going on walks with Grandpa and Norton.  Little did she know, we would be getting our own lab a couple of months later.  Great practice!

 Grandpa surprised us with a trampoline!  All four kids (yes that includes Grandpa and Bryon) had a blast jumping and later that fall, Grandpa drove the trampoline to us in Kansas! 

  Molly and Daniel love playing puzzles on Grandpa's tablet.  I don't think he minded snuggling with his grandkids either. 

Family shot with Great Gram Mushrush. 

 Bryon, Great Gram and Gram Marion

 Looks like someone loves his grandma!  I think the feeling is mutual :)

Group shot at Pymatuning Reservoir while spending the day with Diane and crew.

 Daniel feeding the ducks and fish stale bread.

 Bryon distributing the grub.  

The kids had a great day together.  They really missed seeing their cousins while we were in England.  We can't wait to make lots of new memories with everyone now that we have moved back stateside.  

We love the Alibaruho boys!  

What an awesome day.  I have never seen so many crazy fish and the kids loved dropping the bread in the water and seeing swarms of fish attack it.  Beautiful weather and great company.  Can't beat it.

Erie bound!

Off to Erie, PA we go!  We can't wait to see the rest of our family!  Only 10 hours in the car but we are ready with Leap Frog and Princess movies for the kids and Sunny's Doughnuts for Daddy.  

 Here we are!  First stop Nini and Papa's house! Look who is eagerly awaiting our arrival!

Someone's happy to see us!

Morning girl time with Nini eating breakfast.  

 Playing in the back yard.  I didn't realize Erie got so much sun!!  This was my first trip to PA where there was no snow on the ground.

 Three generations of love.

 Nini and her grandbabies.  

 Blowing bubbles with Papa.

 Goodness Molly! That's huge!

Sticky fun.  Daniel is working hard on his bubbles.

 Cooling off in the kiddie pool.  Not quite warm enough for bathing suits but super fun for splashing!

 Girl time doing nails after Mommy and Nini's morning hitting up garage sells.

 Doing Nini's hair.  Looks like it runs in the family :)

 Diane and the boys came up for a visit.  The cousins had a great time playing together.  Wish we could see these precious boys more often.  Seal my heart they are so precious!

 Most nights Papa and Bryon took the kids to the playground.  Here they are on their way back home.  Looks like the guys are doing all the work!

 Never fun saying "goodbye" but we had a wonderful visit!