Too much fun and a really long post!

My husband and I and the kids left Friday around lunchtime after my classes for a weekend trip. We had set up the car to be "trip friendly" for the kids which means plenty of toys, books, and the DVD player as back-up. We stopped in Lincoln for a little lunch break. Then, the boys fell asleep right after we ate.

We didn't really stop much and arrived at my grandma's house around 7:00 p.m. My parents had just got there right before us and my brother/sister-in-law/niece had arrived a couple hours before that. We spent the evening relaxing and just spending time with my grandma. She really loves having us over and always cooks way too much food but my husband loves it. We put the boys in pajamas and then the kids (me, my husband, my brother, and sister-in-law) all took a late night trip to Barnes and Noble, probably our favorite place.

We got back and all got into our own pajamas and read and talked and just had an enjoyable family time. We stayed up way too late!

The "little" kids woke up early the next morning and we all had breakfast and talked some more. My parents were taking my grandma furniture shopping around 10:00 so the rest of us headed to Toys R Us. We picked up a couple items but I bought the best item of all! They had autographed copies of my favorite children's author, David Shannon. It just so happened that my youngest ripped the cover off of my favorite David Shannon book last week! So, I took the opportunity to pick up an autographed copy of it! How lucky is that!

At 11:00 a.m. we all met at the restaurant that my grandma picked. It was called Jade...something. It was our whole family, my aunt/uncle and their kids, and my mom's cousin. We ate and talked and my grandma opened her cards. It was so nice to be with family and share and talk and just enjoy each other.

Lunch took awhile since it was a celebration of her 80th birthday. After that, my brother and his family headed out since he had to work on Sunday. My grandma was crying because she was so happy everyone got together and spent time with each other.

We went back to my grandma's house and talked with my aunt/uncle/cousins. We packed up the car to head to our hotel in Kansas City. We said our goodbyes and the minute we got into the car, the boys fell asleep:)

The hotel was about 2 1/2 hours away so the boys slept the whole way (we timed our trip really well) which proved a nice time for my husband and I to talk. Those moments are the best when it is just us and we can share and talk and spend time with just us.

We checked in before dinner and ate at Panera Bread. We were staying at the Hampton Inn which is next to the Outdoor Mall "Legends" and next to the Great Wolf Lodge. If you've ever been there you know that "Legends" is a little overwhelming and very large. We hadn't planned on going shopping. We just wanted to stay in that hotel with the boys; however, we were walking around after dinner and realized they had a BabyGap Outlet....hmmm....how can you not go in! We convinced ourselves we had to go in since we forgot swim trunks for my oldest (for swimming at the hotel). Boy, do I kinda regret going in....

I don't think I'd ever been to an outlet for BabyGap. They had really good deals and the prices were unbelievable (they were doing a President's Week sale). Like shirts for $4 and spring shorts for $5, which if you shop at Gap, that is a good deal! So, we did a little shopping....(I'll save you the description of how awesome the Banana Republic outlet was) I gotta say that I didn't really like outlets before this weekend. I do feel kinda guilty because I shop for my oldest and we don't buy a lot for my youngest since they are both boys and so close together. My husband reminded me that he doesn't care, he is only 1:)

Back at the hotel, my oldest went swimming with daddy while I put our youngest to bed. We were smart and brought the travel crib this time which we forgot on the last trip....not good. We relaxed and spent a nice evening together. The next morning was pretty much the same. They had a good breakfast there and then we walked around Nebraska Furniture Mart. We aren't in the market for furniture and it was really big and very overwhelming, so we left!

My parents were driving through Kansas City on their way home right about then, so they stopped and said hi to the boys and walked around also. My husband wanted a burger for lunch and he suggested a place in that area called "Cheeseburger in Paradise". Okay, I know that you are thinking what I was thinking! It did not sound like a place I wanted to go; however, it was the BEST burger I've ever had. No joke! They even had a lady come around the your table and make animal balloons for the kids. My oldest asked for a dinosaur of course:)

We walked around the outdoor area/mall for a little bit longer to walk off lunch! The boys ran around and burned off some energy. We once again got in the car and they fell asleep on the way home. We ended up getting home around 7:00 p.m., we were sad to miss small group but glad to be home!

It was a such a wonderful weekend with family and some much needed time away. Happy 80th Birthday Grandma! I really loved spending time with everyone and having the boys see their extended family. They are truly loved!