Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

This post is late, but I don't care . . .

This past winter, Station Park opened up. I have taken my girls there often and taken many pictures of them there. I think when they are older and see the pictures of themselves little there, they will get a kick out of it. Anyway, this was the first winter there and they had a teeny tiny ice rink outside. My girls begged and begged me to take them ice skating. I am a terrible parent because I waver on what I will and won't pay for. For some unknown reason I would NOT fork over the $3 it cost to go ice skating. I made them earn it. They did extra chores and each earned their money to go skate. They also decided to each bring a friend.

They were so proud of themselves to bring their own purses and pay the man themselves. I could tell they were thinking they were just so cool. Then they begged to go to the new "teenage" store that opened and look at the clothes. They were giggling and silly and pretending to be soooo grown up! It was a good time. I love these preteen days when they are still my little darlings "pretending" to be teenagers . . . I don't know how I'll feel when real teenage years hit and they are shopping there for real!

Above: At the ice rink (left to right) Maura Gardner, Hailey, Maryn Stewart, Aubrey

The girls trying out poses and clothes! Yikes.

Aubrey and Maryn striking their model poses.

The Epic Journey to Kansas City

It has been 10 years since Ben and I have been out to Kansas City to visit my brother Jeff and his wife Angela and their kids. I put it on the top of our priority list and this Spring Break we took the epic journey (by minivan) to Kansas. Of course, I took about a billion pictures of this trip and then I came home and made an entire scrapbook of it, so here are just a few moments from our trip.

This is what the drive looked like most of the time. B-B-B-BORNING. I'm fairly certain that Wyoming must be the most miserable state in the union. Our girls were troupers though. Nothing a few million DVDs, and coloring books can't conquer! 

We stopped in North Platte Nebraska for an overnight pit stop. The girls were thrilled with our "fancy" hotel (The Holiday Inn Express) Fortunately we did get the kids suite and Ashley was particularly happy with the table and chairs that were just her size!

Ben has always dreamed of being on a Harley surrounded by a bunch of beautiful women . . . but I don't think this is what he had in mind. ;) There is a Harley Davidson Factory in Kansas City, so of course, Ben NEEDED to tour it. However the girls weren't old enough to go. So . . .

The girls and I happened upon this remote Doll Museum. It was up a strange road and we just follow homemade signs to get to it. It just might be the most bizarre place I've ever been. It was a little spooky. When we got there, no lights were on but everything was unlocked so we went in. Then, an old (really old) lady came out and welcomed us. I was fully prepared for a chainsaw man to come out of the back too! It was a little crazy. I tried not to show the girls my personal reservations on the place but about half way through Aubrey curled up in a ball on the floor and started crying. When I asked what was wrong she said she was just soooo freaked out there and hated it. I snapped a quick picture (for the memory, or evidence, if needed) and we booked it out of there!!!

Of course the best part of Kansas City is The Place family!!!! We stayed with Jeff and Angela at their house. Every night Angela read to the girls. It was a daily favorite for all of them!! 

 We also traveled to Liberty Jail, where Joseph Smith was imprisoned for a time while he wrote the Doctrine and Covenants. To the right is the jail (but it is too dark to see). Above is a replica of the gold plates.

 Jeff spent a lot of time playing with the kids all together. This picture warms my heart!

 The is "The Man" it is this statue in the middle of no where, in Angela's neighborhood. It is weird and interesting all at the same time. I told the Place children to always think of us when they pass "the man" because he is dreaming of his family in Utah!

 It was unusually HOT for April in Kansas City. It was 90 degrees! Luckily we broke out the slip and slide and let the kids play all day!

Kansas City has an awesome library! This is just the parking structure!!! I love that it is all books!

 On the way home, we stopped at the Omaha zoo. I'd never been to a zoo that fantastic before! It was amazing and made our Hoogle Zoo look pretty weak. It was great!

Hailey had just done a report on Jaguars and was thrilled to be so close to one!!

Aubrey's 7th Birthday

On March 10th, for Aubrey's 7th Birthday, we took her and a bunch of her friend to the new CineMark at Station Park to see the new movie The Lorax! We had a great time!

 The gangs all here. Left to right: Ava Barkdull, Myah Smith, Hailey Powell, Grace Barkdull, Aubrey Powell, Brynna Coles, Bella Anderson, Maryn Stewart

I guess you can't be Aubrey's friend unless you're willing to be a goofball. (birds of a feather . . .) Goofy, goofy girls.