kansas city - part 1

we planned to meet up with ben's sisters in kansas city, mo for christmas this year.  we hadn't been able to meed lida yet, so we were thrilled about that.  (if you haven't read before, she is our new neice adopted from ethiopia.)  i didn't realize that kansas city was such a nice place.  a lot to do, and lots of shopping to do.  too bad i didn't really get to shop, but still had a great time.  :)  we were there from saturday to tuesday.  (we split our traveling up into 2 days.)

austin wasn't so sure about the bigger cousins, but she loved hanging out with josh.  these 2 are about 3 months apart.

a hug from emma...

austin and josh coloring... (i love austin's face in the 2nd photo. ha!! miss attitude.)

finally, we got to meet miss lida biruhtesfa...

is she not gorgeous?!?!?

we ate a late lunch at the cheesecake factory sunday, and then ben, mom, and i separated from the group to take austin to the crayola world.  it was the cutest place ever.  she slept in her stroller for a while, and when she woke up she wasn't fully into it.  maybe 1 day we can go back.  i was overwhelmed by all of the crayola goodies.  i wanted to buy the whole store.  :)

when we got back to the hotel, we had a birthday party for josh, eric, and lida.  it was fun to be able to celebrate birthdays.  we never get to do that together. austin wanted lida to have her own minnie mouse. :)

josh man got some books, and we gave uncle eric a starbucks gift card.

these 2 really enjoyed their ice cream. :)

if aunt mary gave austin attention, josh was never far away. he didn't know what to think about his mama holding someone else.

lida and uncle ben...  she is the best baby!

us with lida...

and as if we hadn't had enough sweets, ben and i enjoyed this when we got back to our room.  yum-o.