Kansas Here We Come! New Post #3

The second half of our journey took place in Wichita, Kansas. Grandma Griner and Mike's brother Steve's family live there. On Tuesday, we left MO and headed 5 hours to Kansas. We stayed with Grandma Griner and she made us feel very at home. She has two cats which was fun for the little kids to see, because they have never really been around cats before. We had a great visit! We went shopping, had lots of good food and visit time and even went to the Wichita Zoo, which is really good considering it was only about 50 degrees. Because it was so cool and overcast we had the whole zoo to ourselves. It was great to spend time with Grandma Griner and catch up. She is doing really good and has a fun summer coming up. It was also great to see Steve and Cheryl, Jason and Justin who we have not seen in 7 years. They met Addi and Landon for the first time. Landon was excited to see his only "boy" cousins. The boys have grown up soo much. Uncle Steve is a retired fireman and even took us to see the firetrucks. You can imagine Landon's excitement! It was really fun! We were sad to leave, but happy we were able to come! Thanks again Grandma Griner!! Here are some pics from our visit....

Grandma Griner reading to Addi on the first day we arrived. Grandma had bought the kids some new books and an Easter bunny with candy.


Andi posing with Grandma.


John and Mike getting in some computer time.


Much of our trip this is what we would find Andi doing. She read several books over the week. This was on the way to Kansas from Missouri.


Here are the little ones on our way to Kansas. They were enjoying the trays that Mike built for their car seats. They definetly came in handy.


Mike showing his true tired colors at the mall. The little ones had a great time on the trip, but did not get the best sleep. Hence, neither did we...


Landon and Addi loved playing in these riding toys at the mall.


Landon said he was changing the tire. What an imagination!


Coming out of the rocket!


Landon and Addi loved sitting on these barstools. Landon is doing a little "I love my cars" dance!


Grandma bought the kids a doctor kit from the Disney Store and they LOVE it! They had been pretending to have the doctor tools and now they really have their own. Here they are giving it a try...Guess who is the doctor and who is the patient...




John started working on a thousand piece puzzle the first night we got there. He did finish it as you will see later. Here he is working on it with his cousin Jason.


Uncle Steve was teaching Landon how to use a remote control monster truck. His cousin Justin brought it over. He LOVED it, imagine that!


Uncle Steve is a retired firefighter and so he took us to the firehouse to see the firetrucks. Of course Landon was in heaven, but Addi loved it too. Here, Landon and Addi were checking out the fireman coat room and then we yelled "Fire!!"


Hanging out in the coat room....


Steve's old stomping ground..


The four Griner kids!


Landon and Addi in front of the truck.


On this trip Addi finally began smiling on command! Yeah! It was so funny. I would say "show me your teeth" and if she felt like it she would smile.


Landon driving to the fire!


Landon and Daddy!


Addi showing us her driving skills.


Landon and Addi fiddling with the fire truck, probably not such a good idea.


Andi looking so pretty!


Once again, Andi is reading.... even while standing in the fire station.


Landon and Addi changing tires and getting their hands very black!


Uncle Steve teaching Landon about the truck.


Andi showing us her big, big smile!


All the cousins!!


Some of the fireman group...


Andi and Addi getting in some sister time.


"Look at my greasy hands daddy!"


Addi getting some good time with her oldest brother.


Do you think he loves this day?!?!


Our cousin Justin much more familiar with firetrucks than us!


Addi flashing another great smile behind the wheel.


This has become Addi's trademark Pitiful face!!! It is pitiful huh? She is without a doubt our Whiner Griner!


Addi now upset by he yucky hands!


We went to the zoo on Friday and it was quite chilly. We still had a great time and had the zoo almost to ourselves. Landon was still more interested in the zoo work trucks and golf carts that the workers ride around in than the animals. Here is Andi looking at the penguins.


Addi liked the penguins too.


John, Grandma and Mike take a little rest break.


Feeding the animals. The animals were going crazy too, because with no people at the zoo that day they had not gotten many extra snacks.


Landon and Addi taking a break in the zoo stroller.


Landon checking out this snake, not afraid like his mom.


Grandma keeping the reins on Addi.


This turtle was huge and I thought his face looked funny.


Watching the big turtle.


Kids posing on the seal.


John striking a pose too.


Addi and me trying to get a picture. Not in one of her smiling moods.


Andi relaxing on the bear.


Grandma pushing the stroller in the rain forest.


Addi and I watching th monkeys, my favorite!!


The puzzle that finally got finished the last night we were there.


The Griner family!


Grandma Griner and her grandkids.


Addi checking out the grizzly eat lunch.


Grandma and Addi striking a pose.