A visit with the Kansas Pates

For the past few months we have been planning a trip to Kansas for the last week in April.  Primarily to walk in a 5k for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), but also to spend some time with family.   My niece, Holly, has Type I diabetes and was diagnosed at a really early age.  Holly is a sweet, beautiful and caring little girl. We love spending time with her and our nephew, Sam.  They are two really amazing kids, and I often seek advice from Jolyn on parenting.  As a bonus, Eric's mom and dad also made the trip from Albuquerque so it was really a family affair.

We left late on Thursday so that the kids would hopefully sleep in the car.  Unfortunately neither one of my kids likes to be in a car.  I always assumed that all babies sleep in cars but they don't!  After an hour of intense wailing, Ansley finally fell asleep outside of Sanger, TX.  Liam followed suit, but woke several times during the drive because of the strobing effect of the lights on the interstate.  And when he woke up he was none too pleasant.  We finally got to Wichita a little after 1 a.m.  Ryan and Jolyn recently moved into a new house so it was a little odd to be wandering on a side of town that we were not familiar with.  Fortunately we easily found their new home and after settling the kids we promptly fell asleep.  Except for Liam, who ended up in our bed for like the first time ever.  And because we were all so tired, none of us woke each other up.  A true first.

The next day we took it easy.  We flew kites, took naps, went for a walk and to the neighborhood Barnes and Noble, and had a nice dinner and a movie.  On Saturday came the walk.  Jolyn had "Holly's Hooligans" shirts made for everyone on the team.  Even little Ansley! We met at a local park and the walk began.  Because we had so many little people on our team, we ended our walk about a mile into it.  The local JDRF had bounce houses, food and music for the participants so we had a nice time hanging out before Ansley determined that she had had enough excitement.  After a nap from practically everyone in the household (even Liam slept 3 hours), a nice long walk with Jolyn to catch up, and visiting with several particularly cute Weimaraner puppies, we returned home.  We had a little birthday party for Liam with Famous Dave's BBQ and lots of good wine for the adults. Liam even had his first glass of "wine."  It was really purple Kool-Aid.  I am sure child protective services will be called when Liam tells them that his family gives him wine and coffee (hot chocolate). 

We returned on Sunday morning and had to add an hour and a half to our trip because of all the stops.  Even though driving at night is painful, there are definitely benefits.  Visiting with family is always bittersweet, because we have a great time but always hate to leave.  Fortunately it won't be long until we are all together again!

Becky bought all three kids these great kites and it ended up being the perfect day for flying them.  Ryan and Jolyn's new backyard is massive.  In fact it is larger than some parks I know of. 

Two of the kites got tangled mid-air and flew as a group.  Impressed?  Well I don't get out that much. 

Sweet Sam getting hugs from Grandma Becky.  I think I have a dozen pictures of Sam since he was a baby getting cuddles from Grandma.  Liam and Holly are too full of energy to stop!

Group family shot the day of the walk.

The morning started out a little chilly so we bundled Ansley up with coats and blankets.  Fortunately she slept through a portion of the walk.

Holly and two of her besties. They have all known each other since they were babies.  It is hard to see from this picture, but all three of them held hands during the walk. So cute!

After the walk we played on the new playgroup equipment.

Saturday night and a Cars birthday cake.  If we had a theme for this year and Liam's likes it would be Cars and pirates. Most of his gifts were one of the two.

LOVE this hat from Ron and Becky.  He was the proud recipient of lots of pirate themed clothing.  I think Eric wishes that it came in a larger size!