Kansas Adventures

Ava and I flew from Utah to Kansas and then Drew drove out and met us there.  It was his parents' 30th wedding anniversary so the whole family came and spent the weekend together.  On Friday, August 5th we took a little road trip around Southeastern Kansas and Southwestern Missouri.  Our first stop was to see Big Brutus.  Apparently it is one of the world's largest coal shovels.  It's not used anymore but there is a visitors center and you can walk around inside of it.  It may not sound like the most exciting tourist destination, but it was actually pretty cool.

 I wish this picture did justice to how massive it really is

 Joshua, Caleb, Isaac, Ava, Emma and Meriah

 This is the inside of Big Brutus.  If you look closely you can see Drew and Andrew all the way across the room from me.  It's MASSIVE! 

 Drew and his siblings have a thing for climbing on things that they shouldn't.  I'm worried about what he's going to encourage our kids to do . . . 

 Ava and her grandma

 Meriah and Ava in the shovel.  

 Drew and Ava on one of the big tracks

Oh, did I mention Drew and his siblings liked to jump off of things as well?  This is Adam jumping between the huge tracks.  Pretty great action shot if I do say so myself!

 Grandma Linda with Calvin and Landyn

After Big Brutus we drove into Missouri and ate at a fabulous restaurant called Lamberts.  We had to wait for over and hour to get in, but it was well worth it.  Wonderful southern soul food, and the best part is they throw rolls at you!  Seriously, if you want a roll you just put your hands in the air and somebody walking around with a tray of rolls throws one to you!  So fun! 

 Linda, Andrew, Adam, Caleb and Joshua

 Drew, Aubrey, Robert, Cathrine, Meriah, James, Emma, Stephanie and Ava (and poor Isaac is somewhere between Robert and I)

After Lamberts we went to the original Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, MO.  It was impressive.  Full of beautiful displays and lots of live (along with stuffed, of course) wildlife.  

As an anniversary gift for Drew's parents we got family pictures taken at a beautiful botanical garden outside of Kansas City on August 6th.   

 Ava and Drew had some fun while they waited between shots

 Our little family

 Linda and Andrew (aka what Drew will look like in 25 years)

Isn't this a sweet picture of Ava?  

The whole Dokos gang (minus Peter who is on a mission in Nicaragua)

We always love our time in Kansas and it was so fun to have the whole family all together at the same time!