Overnight

We made a last minute decision to go to Wichita for the night this past weekend to attend Marc's cousin's daughter's first birthday party. 

We were looking forward to staying in a hotel and taking Cole swimming. 

We got in town in time to eat supper at N & J's cafe - a Mediterranean restaurant recommended to us by Shandra and Paul. We like going to ethnic restaurants when we get a chance. It was good - think hummus, schwarma, gyros, pita bread, lamb and olives. 

Cole enjoyed some of Marc's kabob. 

Hope was happy for the break from her car seat and wanted some of my lamb gyro with cucumber yogurt sauce. I guess she got some eventually. ;)

We got to use some hotel points for a free night at the Hyatt. 

Swimming!

The water wasn't very warm but Marc and Cole braved it a for a good long while - twice. 

This was Hope's first time swimming. She wasn't sure what to think but lasted a while in the water with her feet dangling in beneath the floaty. I am proud of how she handles new situations. 

Somehow I didn't get a picture of the birthday party that was decorated so craftily! Jordan, the birthday girl, did a great job and handled the large crowd well. 

Our night in the hotel went surprisingly smooth. I was grateful Marc thought to bring the iPad to keep Cole occupied and quiet. But I was impressed with how grown up he's getting - sleeping in a bed with us, attempting to be appropriately quiet when Hope is sleeping, etc. 

Here he is checking out our view of the river in the morning. There are crocodiles in that river...

It was a lot of work and pretty tiring, but I'd do it again!