Thank goodness we're not driving across Kansas anymore!

Wow - I don't know how people live in Western Kansas. There is absolutely nothing to see!

Fred's cousin was getting married near Kansas City and we decided we'd drive out (we're still on a flying strike from our trip to Miami last year where we were stuck in the airport for 2 days without luggage). We stopped in Colorado to visit my sister's family and had fun letting them play with Tad.

The drive from Denver, CO to Hays, KS was the worst part. We made it with just enough time to get cleaned up and go to the rehearsal dinner. We had the perfect housing arrangement for our trip.... the bride & groom's house! They moved out for the wedding & honeymoon & we moved in along with Fred's sister Charlee, her husband & 2 kids.

Saturday we met at Aunt Julee's for breakfast then we ventured out to the Plaza with Charlee's family. The Plaza had a lot of stores but nothing overly exciting. It did get us out of the house while the rest of the family worked on flower arrangements. No time for a nap, we showered and headed out to the wedding. As we drove I questioned whether Fred had mapquested correctly as we turned down several dirt roads. The wedding was held at a reception center in the country. The wedding party was lovely.... the site was also nice..... the wedding planner? .... from heck! There were several run ins between our family members and her, I'll just tell you 2:

1) I asked for a place I could feed my baby. I was told "You can use the smoking patio, nobody smokes." (I ended up using the bride's dressing room.)

2) Fred & I sat at an unlabeled table in the reception, a bunch of the tables had "family table" papers on them. The rest of his family joined us. Soon the psycho lady comes over and tells us we have to move to another table, that one is for the wedding party. Is it just me or don't you think that that's the FIRST table you would label in the room? Of course we moved, but I'm still bugged.

The ceremony was outside at dusk, then they had a nice dinner, dancing, cake, a chocolate fountain inside. We didn't stay too late because of our tired little boy.

Sunday we went with Fred's immediate family to the Renaissance Festival. What a great place for people watching! And evidently dog watching.....

Fred enjoying a smoked Turkey leg.

Monday we had planned to see the Medical School & a couple of museums before the Royals baseball game. Nothing went as planned. It was pouring most of the day. Museums are closed on Mondays. And since we bagged the game we didn't drive out to the school either. We did get a nap and ate at a great BBQ place.

Tuesday it was on the road again. We got a later start than Fred & I usually like (we prefer 6am, but with a baby that's tough, so we left at 8am). Plus we stopped to see the Agriculture Hall of Fame Museum (Random huh?). Which also featured the National Poultry museum. (That's just funny!) It was surprisingly interesting. Then the Wizard of Oz museum - totally not worth the money. They could have done an awesome little place, but it was just every Oz toy ever made in every country. We had to stop and see the largest ball of twine. Then it was back on the rainy road. We drove to the Western border of Kansas then stopped for the night. The next day we drove through Colorado, across Wyoming and home. (Even Wyoming is better than the stretch across Kansas!)

I'm glad we went - not only for time with the family but also to see the area a little bit. I think I could handle it if Fred gets into school there. It is definitely not a one day drive with how boring it is.

Tad did very well sitting in the car for so long. Now the only problem is he thinks he needs to be held when he's not in it. He was spoiled with attention for the whole trip.