Penguin Park!

After the temple we headed over to spend some time at Penguin Park before dinner.  It was a hot day, but all of the kids found fun things to do!  There was a fun merry-go-round hat, huge kangaroo, jungle gym, elephants, penguin and more.  If the weather was cooler the kids would have stayed there all day!  I'm glad the kids were able to run and play outside!

Kansas City Temple!

After visiting Liberty we headed back into town and went by to visit the temple.  It was hot and bright, but we didn't let that stop us from enjoying the grounds.  While we were walking Sandra asked me to take her picture, and asked if we could do our family pictures at the temple.  Well, sounds good to me.  So here are some beautiful photos of the temple, and my amazing family!

 Family photo 2018

Mhari and Clark

The photo genius of the day... Sandra 12 years old

Grandma and Grandpa

  
Mhari 10 years old

Talmage 15 years old 

 Clark 8 years old

 Hanging out in the heat!

Grant 14 years old

 Lorna 6 years old!

 Hunny and Me :)

Independence and Liberty!

Tuesday was our sightseeing day with the kids.  We visited Independence, MO and Liberty Jail.  It was neat to watch the videos and let the kids get to experience some fun pioneer stuff!  It was a nice day!

Driving a horse and carriage - Mhari and Lorna

Clark getting "water" from the well :)

Time to ride the pony!

 Little log cabin

Liberty Jail.  It was very peaceful there and I really enjoyed hearing the stories from the missionaries.

Wishing Watermelon

After dinner at Fritz's we went back to our rental house and got out the watermelon for dessert!  Jeff didn't realize I had brought it so that made it even a better surprise!  Jeff's been having watermelon for his birthday cake for a long time now!  I'm glad he likes his birthday tradition!

Welcome to 39!  We love you!!

Little Lorna wanted a picture with the elephant side table... silly girl!

Vacation!

Jeff and I wanted to attend the National Bison Convention being held in Kansas City, MO.  We decided to turn it into a family trip.  We were able to have Jeff's parents come along too!  They got to play with the kids while we were busy with conference stuff.  The first night we got there we went out to eat for Jeff's birthday.  We found this place called Fritz's Express.  They have model trains in the restaurant that deliver your food to you.  It was really fun to watch!  The kids had a great time.  The food was OK, the big show was the model trains ;).  The kids got some paper train hats so that was fun!  The little ones enjoyed posing with the train engine outside the restaurant.  Fun times!

 Lorna enjoyed her hat... and hiding in it!

SeaQuest Birthday Fun!

With Grandma Whitmer in town, we decided to go enjoy the SeaQuest Aquarium.  It's always nice to have a good reason to use our passes anyway :).  It's a pretty small space so it makes it nice to walk and see everything in just a few hours.  The kids love all of the animals!  I love watching them love the animals ;)

One of the kids favorites... Chinese chickens! 

Capybara .... Rodents of Unusual Size

The tortoise out on a walk!  I almost tripped over it because it just walked right up behind us!

  

Sea horses!  This was the first time they had been there!

 Petting leopard sharks 

Petting the manta rays... what they look like when they poke their heads out of the water :)

So glad Grandma Whitmer got to share this with the kids!

The fun tunnel at the manta ray aquarium.  Lorna is too tall!