We're Not in Kansas Anymore...

I got to spend four days last week with one of my best friends, Tana Chlarson Hall, at her new home in Kansas. Her husband is in the military and was transferred to For Leavenworth a few months ago. Tana and I have been friends since our American Fork Junior High days - we were on the yearbook staff together. We didn't stay in touch after high school, but met up again when Tana was my first mission companion and trainer in the New York Rochester Mission. What a fabulous experience when I was feeling so homesick and nervous about the whole mission experience to have Tana there! I remember President Jensen telling us that he had a hard time separating us when it was time for transfers a couple of months later. He said we were definitely two peas in a pod. What a compliment to be considered similar to Tana! We've stayed in touch since our mission- through all those years we wondered if we would EVER get married and every thing in between. Asher and her son, Maxx, were born just a day apart- which was so much fun to keep in touch about our pregnancies and what was going on and now how the boys are each growing and how they're reaching their developmental milestones.
The greatest thing about Tana is she is not a high maintenance friend. All of my high maintenance friends have fallen to the wayside. Tana and I can go weeks and even months without talking and pick up right where we left off when we do get in touch again. Tana's life is definitely always on the move with Sam being in the military. I have been able to visit them in Korea, North Carolina, and now Kansas. Maybe their next transfer will be somewhere exciting like Germany.
Asher and I had so much fun visiting Tana and her family! Maxx and Asher entertained each other, usually choosing to push a car around as the went from room to room. They each love to "shake their booty" whenever music is on. They also love books and spending time looking at them alone and having them read out loud. We visited some fun places, but Tana and I both agreed that probably the most fun they had was playing at the park and splashing in the puddles on the sidewalk in front of their house. As parents we often try to take our kids to these fabulous places when the greatest amount of fun is just on the other side of the front door- especially for almost-two-year-olds. We can't wait to get out to see them again!

We took the boys to Train Town - Baldwin, Kansas - for a ride on the historic train. There was a tornado in the town the night before, so we were glad the train didn't get swept away!

Asher and Maxx taking it easy on the train ride.

Asher thought the trees and other scenery needed a friendly wave hello.

At the turning back point, we all got off of the train while the engine was switched.

Asher thinks this train-riding business is pretty fun.

Asher and Maxx enjoy the beautiful scenery from their window seats.

Every time the train would blow it's whistle, Asher would put

his hands on this cheeks and make a big, "OH!" sound.

We ate lunch at the coolest train restaurant.

The train travels from the kitchen to your table to bring you your order.

Asher can't wait to eat his lunch that was just delivered by the train.

Enjoying the water fountain show in front of the Crown Center in Kansas City.

The water fountain show was synchronized to music and it was quite mesmerizing.