Warrenton, Missouri

A trip through central Missouri can't be complete without a trip to Shakespeare's Pizza in Columbia.  Kyle treated us to lunch & then proceeded to make Kaden shriek with laughter. 

Good thing we came at the tail end of lunch and the restaurant was near empty because they were a major scene.  :)

Kaden's "big giant" slice of pepperoni

Besides the scenery, one of the best things about going to mom's house is letting Kaden run free around her yard and not worring about having a busy street nearby.

Over the week, we went for several walks up the "big giant" hill to the

main lake in mom's neighborhood.

 Watching the neighbor boys fish and the Canada geese out on the island.

 

Another great thing about going to Warrenton to see mom is that Jennifer & Jeff live there too.  Although we live states apart, we still get to see each other several times a year and pick up right where we left off.  On the first visit, I brought Mr. Owen with me while Kaden napped and stayed with mom.  I had only planned to stay a couple of hours but once the two of us get talking, there's no stopping... so... 9 hours later... it finally dawned on me that I should probably get home and let
Jeff go to bed.

Showing off our new boys.

Owen, 3 months & Brady, 1 month

Both Ava & Kaden enjoying a "potty sucker" the next day; I don't think I need to explain this one...

Luckily both kids figured out the potty training thing just in time for their bothers' arrival.

Because we didn't get to talk enough the previous day, we went back to Jennifer's while mom worked.  This time Kaden got to come along. It was fun to see Kaden actually interact & play with Ava on this trip instead of watching the two of them parallel play as in the past few trips. 

And then I couldn't bring myself to leave at naptime so Kaden snoozed next to Ava in the girls' pink bed.

napping buddies

No matter where it is, going to a park will be a hit with Kaden. 

Mom, Owen, Kaden and I met Drew and checked out the new equipment at the pool park. 

This big, yellow slide has been here since I was in jr. high.

 I thought he might be wary of this BIG slide.  I thought wrong.

He had slid all the way down before I got over there.

 Grandma Cook joining the fun

 Relaxing on mom's porch swing

Kyle joining us in Warrenton along with his roommate, Tamra.

I absolutely love getting to hang out with Kyle.  Just like Kaden getting to go to the park, being around Kyle is a guaranteed good time.  Even running with Kyle is more enjoyable. 

On Thursday morning, Kyle, (Owen) and I walked around the loop and hung out in St. Louis before Ben’s flight arrived. 

 elated to see daddy again

 instructing daddy how to color

Two of Ben’s favorite things to do are playing golf & going fly fishing. 
Lucky for him, he got to do BOTH in Warrenton as I had hauled his golf clubs in the back of our little car when we left the weekend before.  The rain held off both afternoons he played and it was a nice change to play on actual greens with challenging hills.

Jennifer came by mom's house before we left and we all went for a walk to the lake to see Ben fishing.

 Bailey joining our group after a full day of kindergarten.

 The three amigos: Kaden, Ava, and Bailey

Kaden giving Ava a hug.

going to see daddy

 Bailey reeling in Ben's fish

touching the fish; Ava not sure what to think

It was a great trip to Warrenton and I didn't think we stayed long enough.  Maybe we can stay a full week or longer this summer.  Lots more to do now that Kaden is getting bigger.