Midwest Trip

The posts have been slow the past few weeks because a) this pregnancy is making me absoutely exhausted 24/7 and b) Carson and I took a little vaca to Kansas and Oklahoma to visit family. We had an absolutely wonderful time with everyone and Carson is still talking about it. It makes us wish we lived closer to our families......maybe someday. We fit in so much while we were home that I have a bunch of pictures (some are courtesy of family members), so I'll try to describe some of our activities below, which are in no particular order.

One day we ventured to Tanganyika Wildlife Park, which was a lot of fun because you actually get to interact with a lot of the animals. Carson loved this since he is so hands-on.

Carson and Tessa petting a baby goat.

Feeding birds

Closeup of my cutie

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Ryan, Mom and Carson; Carson was too enthralled with the animals to look at the camera.

Carson feeding the bunnies; he loves bunny rabbits and often tells me they are his favorite animal. They were so cute, I wanted to bring one home with me!

Feeding Turtles

Looking at the animals.

Carson and his Uncle Ryan

Carson enjoyed having all the dogs and cats to play with at the grandparents' houses. I think he is more of a cat person though because he couldn't get enough of my parents' cat Pumpkin. He followed that poor cat around all over the place. He would also call all the dogs by their names and would tell them to "move please" when he wasn't trying to hug them or pet them.

Carson playing Legos with Aunt Tessa and Eddie

Closeup of Carson chilling before bed at the farm

Carson doing some grocery shopping in Caldwell, OK. This grocery store has mini-carts for the kids to push around. Carson started putting the most random things in the cart; he thought it was so cool.

Carson jumping on the trampoline at Gammy's. He was a little aprehensive at first, but then he grew to love it!

Carson showing Gammy how big the tractor's tires are.

Carson sitting on the tractor with Grandpa Steve.

Carson and his cousin Braxton on the gator.

Carson visited Brenda's 2nd grade classroom one morning, and was a huge hit with the kids. Carson enjoyed playing on the playground with them and eating lunch in the cafeteria.

Doesn't he look thrilled to be surrounded by all the kids, haha, I think he wanted some space!

Carson on the plane ride to Wichita. He got his very own seat and did an excellent job. This was when he was a little nervous about something. Most of the plane rides, he just slept.

Fishing with Grandpa Hillard at the lake behind our house

Following pumpkin......everywhere!

Watching the ducks, I love this picture.

Feeding ducks with Uncle Ryan

Grandpa and Grandma Heffel took us to the Exploration Place, a really cool kid's museum in Wichita, that Carson really enjoyed. He saw snakes and bugs, threw paper airplanes, played in a giant castle, among many other things! My camera ran out of batteries while I was there, so unfortunately I didn't get many pictures.

Looking at snakes

Carson taking his first lawnmower ride with Gpa Heffel

Carson and Gpa Heffel's fish. We told Carson they were catfish, and for the rest of the trip he told everyone he caught "kitties". =)

Fishing again with Gammy in Oklahoma. Carson enjoyed borrowing Braxton's little fishing pool, athough we didn't have any luck that afternoon.