Days 1-3: Glimpse of the Road: Kansas City/St. Joseph, MO

So this is it. The official "send-off" on Friday. Living on the road for the next bit. Giving this "full-timing" a real go. 

Kansas City, MO

Our first stop was Kansas City, MO. My dear friend Mariann lives overseas and is rarely in the States. So when she told me she was going to be in KC for a month, I couldn't believe that it was at the same time we were going to be passing through! We met up with her, and met some of her friends from China. I felt like I was teleported to Asia for a brief moment - all three of them were speaking Chinese to each other, and they took about a dozen pictures of Ember and us in front of our RV. Then they came over and grabbed Ember and took turns holding her while the other one took pictures. Mariann said they kept saying "beautiful baby". :) They were fascinated by us, and the feeling was mutual.

We had our first taste of what urban camping would be like in Westport. Parking was a bit of a challenge, and took a little longer than expected, but we found a nice parking lot that housed Harvey just fine. We took Mariann to eat at Harpo's, a place we frequented when we lived in St. Joe. They have a great outdoor seating area with a great vibe, and COLD beer (burgers, beer, and sweet potato fries - who needs anything else?). 

Saint Joseph, MO

After parting ways with Mariann, we headed up to St. Joseph to stay with our friends Meg and Ryan. We got there much later than expected, so we just plugged in and went to bed, deciding to save the visiting for the next morning. 

Good morning! I love waking up next to my beautiful little girl. 

We came inside and greeted our friends with pajamas and morning unkemptness, and joined them for coffee, fruit, and cinnamon bread.  

Our babies met for the first time, and enjoyed playing in the floor together. Fletcher was just a wee one when we met him last summer on our trip up to Iowa, and this was the first time they got to meet Ember. So thankful for good friends that we get to experience all stages of life with! 

We all took an afternoon walk, and Brannon had another chance to try out the hiking pack we're borrowing from his sister and her husband. 

Then we relaxed in the camper for a bit while Meg and Fletcher went to a birthday party. It felt good to take a break and relax as a family - every weekend at home seems to fill up with something demanding our attention. So this felt rejuvenating.

And eventually, Daddy and daughter both fell asleep. (Yes, you can say it..."Aawwwwwww!")

After my sleepyheads woke up, we went to visit our friends Jourdan and Brett and their little girl July. July and Ember are only four days apart. Jourdan and I have frequently texted each other throughout our pregnancy and now through little girl-hood, sharing symptoms and stories. It's nice to have a friend going through similar things at the same time you are.

We sat our girls together on the couch for a little girl photo shoot, in which it was hard to get them to keep their hands to themselves (and protect July from Ember's face-grabbing and flailing arms), and keep them from nose-diving off the couch. (Daddy was kneeling just out of the shot, ready to catch.)

Turns out Ember LOVES other babes. (Still learning how to be gentle though...haha.)

We came back for pizza and beer with Meg and Ryan, and Fletcher and Ember played some more in the floor together before bed.

Happy Father's Day!

We had some good Father's Day snuggles in bed...

...followed by some morning playtime with Fletcher inside while Daddy slept in.

We went out for a Father's Day lunch at IHOP before parting ways and hitting the road again. It was so good to visit with good friends again! 

Now back on the road in Harvey, and it couldn't be a better day! 

Happy Father's Day to the most wonderful man, husband, and daddy I've ever known. I've never loved you more than watching you be the best daddy to our little girl. She is a lucky little girl to have you raising her. We are so thankful for you!