Kansas Part V

Okay, so here is the final of a five part series of our pictures from our trip to Kansas.

Since it was regularly 100 degrees or more during our visit, we found and decided to take the boys to Pump it Up! For those who haven't been in one or don't know anything about it, Pump it Up! is basically an indoor playground with bouncy houses and giant slides. There is a Pump it Up! in Jacksonville so we figured we would look and see if there was a franchise in Wichita. Thank goodness we found it. The boys loved it and helped burn some energy. It was also a lot of fun to see how the boys improved their balance and climbing ability between our initial visit and the time we left after the second visit. They started off needing help climbing up walls and steps, but by the end, were pretty much doing everything themselves.

Here is Christopher going through an obstacle course.

Having fun in a giant bouncy house!

Here is one of those giant slides. It was probably 30 feet high!

Of course, every trip to Wichita would be incomplete without a visit to the Wichita Zoo! This is a different zoo than Tanganyika. More animals, but less access.

Christopher checking out the chimps.

While we were walking through one of the exhibits, our path was blocked by a bird. It was pretty aggressive, so we think there was a nest nearby.

As you can see, the boys weren't too excited about confronting the bird.

Pictures of birds though, are okay for Christopher.

Birds are also okay if they are swimming and on the other side of a rope.

Checking out the elephants.

Christopher enjoying a boat ride at the zoo.

Brown bear, brown bear what do you see?!

As you can see, the boys were a little traumatized by birds. Could be the result of the bird attack on their dad when we visited Tanganyika. See Kansas Part III if you want to see the pictures from that episode.

Christopher might not be too crazy about birds, but he enjoyed the bat cave.

Nathan checking out a big lizard.

Checking out the gorillas!

Christopher enjoying a moment with Papa while at the gorilla exhibit. They were watching a video about gorillas.

Time to feed giraffes. When we arrived, we just missed feeding time and Nathan was devastated. He pretty much pouted the entire visit, which is why there are more pictures of Christopher. Fortunately, before we left the zoo, it was feeding time again, so Nathan got to feed the giraffes...they may now be his favorite animal. Fortunately though, he still seems to like his monkey shirts so we don't have to change all the outfits.

Hanging out at home...here is Christopher playing with Papa. Christopher got quite attached to Papa during our visit, which offered a nice respite for Will from having to carry him all the time like he does at home.

Time to go home. Now that the boys are older, they are able to carry their own suitcases, so we are able to stash some of their toys and treats in them to let them carry. It also helps to burn energy if we have a long enough layover. Unfortunately, on the way home we had a short layover in Atlanta, so when that happens, it can get complicated.

Waiting for the plane.

Well, that was a glimpse of our annual visit to Kansas. Next up, will be some pictures of a trip to Disney when we visited with our cousins who were drove down from Illinois to visit Mickey.