Worlds of Fun!!

Ah yes.... we took the kids on a mini-summer vacation - to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, MO. What a treat! I'd been there as a kid and remember enjoying it so very much, and Kurt had been there, too, many years ago. Earlier in the summer we thought about what we wanted to do as a family, and this was definitely one thing that was a "must do". So we got a package deal to watch a Kansas City Royals game, and then day passes at Worlds of Fun. The game was, well, more for older kids. Nate, Ben and Karis really didn't get into it much at all. And it was a terribly long and drawn out game, so we decided to set a time and leave at that point, regardless of where the game was at. It was a good decision - we were able to make it back to our hotel and get a good night's sleep, all rested up for the BIG day! And I have to say, we picked a GREAT time to be at WOF. It was mid-week (so no long lines!), and although the weather was hot, it wasn't unbearable. The kids loved Camp Snoopy - a section of the park geared for younger kids. Then we ventured out to the other part of the park to take in the water rides, and a couple of bigger-kid rides. Kuddos to Nate, though, because he went with Kurt on this ride called the Mamba - and it was a doozie! I couldn't believe he went on it. Kurt even admitted afterward that HE was scared! Poor Nate suffered through that entire ride... but he made it, and we kept congratulating him and telling him how cool it was that he did. A ride ALL the kids wanted to go on over and over was the log ride. They just loved it! We even started making faces and posing for the camera that takes your picture as you head down the final descent. What fun! But the water ride that got us the most wet was undoubtedly the Fury of the Nile. Everyone who rides that one comes out wet - and most people are completely drenched. With it being such a hot day, we didn't mind. And the kids wanted to go again, although Kurt and I decided one experience was enough. :) Anyway, I could go on and on about each ride, which kid loved it, and all the other fun activities and things we took in - but I'll spare you the lengthy details. We just know it was a perfect time to take the kids. They had an absolute blast, and we made some great memories we'll always remember!

Enjoy the pics...

At the Royals game


This was the kids' first taste of cotton candy (I know, what kind of parents ARE we?!). Well, Karis LOVED it, but the boys... didn't like it at all.


Say cheese! (Yes, we're all just a wee bit tired at this point.)


And now to Worlds of Fun.... The kids with Snoopy


Karis loved this ride! It was called Woodstock's Airmail, and you were taken up high, then bounced down and back up again, then down, then up... well, you get the picture.


This isn't us in the pic, but shows what the Fury of the Nile ride was:


Ben taking a drive...


And Nate takes a turn, too...


Even mom gets in on the fun. :)


I can't tell you how many times the kids rode this caterpillar ride. It was their favorite ride in Camp Snoopy. And look - behind the kids ride you see a tall rollercoaster.... that's one of the "lower" peaks of the Mamba.


And my favorite picture for last. In addition to all the rides, there were also carnival games at WOF. We didn't really do those, as the rides were more fun. :) But the kids saw the prize for this one game and reallllllllllly wanted us to win it. So Kurt took a shot. He gave it his best, but sadly, we didn't win any prizes. Even so, I still wanted to get a picture of Karis standing next to the grand prize. Can you even imagine if Kurt HAD won this? What in the world would we do with it? It's quite hilarious...