::kansas city::

In early November we got to go to Kansas City to see Kelly's family and to be present for baby Gray's blessing. We were pretty excited to go, considering it has been years since we've been back there. We're quite fond of Kansas City and there have been many things we've missed about it over the years.
The bummer was that it was seriously a whirlwind trip. We got there saturday afternoon and left monday morning.
So it was tough to squeeze in all we were hoping and wanting to do.

But of course, most importantly, we got to see family. Kelly and Lechelle had a nice little open house before the blessing with lots of yummy food. We got to hang out together for a bit there, and then go to church. The blessing was so nice and their ward seems great.
Before church we took a couple of photos, but Boston was NOT wanting to cooperate. Cute, but cranky!



This was the very cutest one:

And then the whole group of us Hendricks.

Some cute kids in there!

Besides the family time, we got to go and eat some of our favorite foods at our favorite places. The Taqueria Mexico was still there, just the same as when we left it.


And still delicious. Sandy loved digging into the rice and beans.

We also went to our favorite sandwich place--Planet Sub. Twice. And it was just so stinking good.
The funniest thing is that we started taking Max to Planet Sub (regularly) back when he was about Sandy's age. He would eat a little bite of the kid's sandwich and then be done.
Well Mr. Sand the crazy eater chowed the whole peanut butter and jelly sandwich and then asked for MORE!


I think he may have the potential to grow up to be a competitive eater. YIKES. I better watch out.

So it was a fun quick trip. Wish it could've been longer, truly it only seemed like we saw Kelly & Lechelle for a few minutes. But we can do it again soon! We're always up for more Planet Sub.

::kris's 30th::

Since we were up in Maine getting rained on during Kris's official birthday, we couldn't do any of our traditional celebrating. And since Kris's parents were coming at the end of the week, I was mean and made him wait for his cake and presents until they arrived.
They got here on thursday afternoon and we waited patiently for Kris to get home from work so we could start having fun.
We went to have dinner at a Hibachi grill that we've had our eye on for a while. We were so excited to get to go!

It's so fun having family in town. Max loves it.

Our chef was very dramatic and fun and we liked him even though he kept missing when he tried to throw things up into the top of his hat.
I think Max wasn't too sure about the fire at first, but after a while he got into it and kept giving the chef the thumbs up.

He told Kris later in the bathroom that he had figured it out. The chef was a robot. That's how he could put his hand in the fire and not get hurt. And really, it may have been true.

I got shrimp and yes it was delicious!

After dinner we headed home for cake and presents.
I made a delicious coconut layer cake with coconut filling and chocolate frosting. And yum it was good. Even though it was a little lopsided, and I was afraid that the filling was going to squeeze out all over because it was such a warm day it was so yummy! It's totally worth the extra time it takes to make it from scratch. I highly recommend the recipe.

Mmmm, that makes me want some now. Good thing there's still a little left over.

We had fun eating and hanging out and Kris got to play with his presents.

How fun to have visitors for a birthday party! And how crazy that he turned 30. Yikes!