Trouble times three: Midwest road trip

We just took a big drive down to Wichita, KS and back. There are lots of pictures and stories to post, and I won't try and put them all in order. But, here is what we saw!

Lots of funny roadside gems.

All the kids are great at making an adventure out of anything!

We spent some time in Iowa, visiting the Des Moines sculpture garden and the Iowa capitol. And of course, Kelly, Eli, Todd and Patrick. Missed you Anna!

These first pics were taken at a brunch place we happened upon when a restaurant we wanted to visit in Des Moines was closed. The kids ended up eating super-fancy brunch buffet. We used the opportunity to explain the meaning of the word "serendipity"

Look how tall that Iowa corn is!

Des Moines sculpture garden

Iowa state capitol, which has an incredible library inside

We also stayed in downtown Kansas City. Quinn loved looking out the window at all the tall buildings outside.

We ate at two of the best restaurants in Kansas City. First up was Strouds, which was a childhood favorite of mine. they have the best fried chicken! We celebrated Quinn's birthday early there. Zahra ate three bowls of chicken soup, and Quinn ate chicken, mashed potatoes, cinnamon rolls and soup. Penelope ate a bit of chicken, too, so the dinner was a big success for us!

Moin, Quinn and I also ate Arthur Bryan's barbeque, which has always been my dad's favorite place. In case you can't tell, that is meat, fries, bread and pickles, all wrapped in paper. yum!

The reason for our trip was to see my Aunts Marietta and Diana, who had met in Wichita for Diana's 80th birthday!

Penelope even sang "Let it go" for Diana for her birthday (see picture below) which was a very special moment.

My cousin Sarah organized the event. See below for a picture with all the ladies!

And the men of the group

It was so wonderful to see my Aunts again, and to see them with my mom. What a special treat!

On the way back, we made a quick stop in Lawrence, KS, home of my parents' alma mater. found a great little pool there to swim in, too.

In Independence, MO, we visited the Truman presidential library. Mostly as a treat for Quinn, but we actually all enjoyed it.

The picture below cracks me up. A guard told the kids to be quiet, and he would make President Truman talk. He started playing a tape of Truman's voice, which totally freaked Zahra out.

Zahra in the oval office

Dressing like the president

Making campaign buttons

Quinn kicking butt at Truman trivia

A book where you could write your own thoughts on the use of the atomic bomb

It was a good tourist stop. We've been talking a lot about the next presidential library we will visit. Suggestions?

Finally, our drive back was on Quinn's SEVENTH birthday! Unfortunately, Moin and I got very ill with a stomach bug on the way back and were in really bad shape. Quinn was mostly unaffected, though. He was happy to be able to choose the movies on the drive back (LEGO movie and Monsters University), and to eat at Culvers at the way.

When we got home, we found a really fun surprise. Quinn's friend Perry (a neighbor) made this birthday sign, and his parents left cupcakes in our fridge. So awesome! Especially since Moin and I were having a hard time being celebratory at all at that point.

Luckily my parents were already back in town, so they took Quinn to dinner for his birthday so Moin and I could rest. Honestly, I have no idea what Penelope and Zahra were doing at this point. Taking care of themselves, I guess!

I love that picture of him in his new In-N-Out shirt (gift from my parents) and a presidents book at his birthday dinner.

By the time they got back, we were ready for presents.

Quinn got a robot from my parents, which he loves.