I like it.
And when you visit Dan's family around the 4th of July, it's a party. One, because Dan's birthday is July 1st so it really is a celebration. And, two, Kansas has firework stands so people shoot off fireworks in their yards for days on end. The first time we came this time of year was two years ago which was my first exposure to buy-your-own fireworks. This time was Kip's first Kansas summer experience.
We left early Saturday morning and everything was relatively smooth. Waking up early, getting in an Uber, navigating through security at 4:30 am, and waiting at the gate. Kip did really well until we got on the plane and he did NOT like being trapped in the carrier. He had a hard time at take-off and eventually settled but only slept about 20 minutes of that first flight. We had a layover in Nashville but he didn't sleep in the stroller while we waited. The second flight was much better and he fell asleep during take off and only got fussy when we were trying to get off the plane.
Considering how tired he was, he arrived in Kansas in pretty good spirits. Despite his face in the picture below, Kip rallied for lunch at Applebee's with Grandma and Grandpa.
We normally go to the outlet mall after the airport but I was worried Kip would never nap and so we decided to come back into Kansas City on Monday instead. Good choice, Kip fell asleep before we even left the restaurant parking lot and stayed asleep until we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
When we arrived, Kip got reacquainted with Baby, now that he is much more aware of dogs. And fell in love with all the toys Grandma had waiting for him, especially this big dump truck.
SO much space to crawl!!
On Sunday, we celebrated Dan's birthday in the morning with presents and his favorite pull-apart rolls.
And then we headed over to Dan's Aunts' house where Kip was treated to his first water table experience, lots of love and attention, and another dog!
We ate lunch, he took a short nap, and we played some more before heading over to Uncle Willy's place for the big family gathering. By the early afternoon, Kip was extremely overtired and increasingly more clingy to me. He refused to nap so I either held him or put him in the carrier. Lots more family came over, there were two more dogs, and loads of kids. Unfortunately, Kip was pretty overwhelmed and not very social. He did rally a little after he ate 1/3 of the plate of food Dan and I were sharing and we got some nice outdoor time after the deck shaded with the setting sun and he was content to watch the big kids playing with the fireworks out in the yard.
Those nice photos were taken by Dan's cousin Amy (she was our wedding photographer too!)
We didn't get to stay for the fireworks since it was already way past Kip's bedtime and we had an hour ride back home. But considering all the stimulation, Kip was pretty good all day.
Monday morning we headed back into Kansas City. The entire trip, Kip did his best napping in the car. We got Dan some new shoes, had lunch, and then my summer dreams came true and we found shaved ice!!!!!
Remember last summer when I was moaning about how I couldn't find shaved ice in New York?? Well, I knew Kansas had some and my sister-in-law Lauren told us just where to find it. It was blissful, just like I dreamed. And Kip liked it too.
Tuesday morning we packed up and said goodbye.
By that point, Kip was so overtired. I was grateful he fell asleep right after take off and slept for a full hour on the plane. We had a direct flight and he woke up cheerful and flirty. All the passengers around us were waving at him and getting him to smile and interact. He did really well and Dan and I were so relieved because I expected he would be a disaster on that nearly three hour flight. We got back into New York around 3:30 pm and in a taxi home by 4 pm. Kip fell asleep in the cab immediately and fortunately slept the whole hour ride home. We hit a ton of rush hour traffic and it was unbearably hot in the car because the AC hardly worked. Kip snoozed the whole way, red cheeked and sweaty. We got home, fixed a quick dinner, unpacked, bathed Kip, and got him in bed.
We had a wonderful trip and it was great to see family and have Kip bond more with Grandma and Grandpa. But, Dan and I were exhausted by the end. No one slept well so we were grateful we planned the trip next to a holiday for an extra day of rest before going back to work.
We'll see you soon Kansas!! Save me some shaved ice!
so glad you came. Love you all. Grandma Johnson
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