The Bowin's: Thomas, Zach's 9 month, MO vacation!

Hey All! We know it has been a little while since we posted, but such is life. Rather than try to give you a big sweeping recap of the past 2 weeks of our life, we will just let the pictures do the talking. Enjoy!

First, we have a few pics from our trip to Fremont to see the Thomas the Train. Very exciting for a certain little boy.

Our first glimpse of Thomas on his way into the station.

The accordion player, who entertained us while we waited for the train. Yes, Thomas fans...he did play the "Thomas and Friends" theme song.

The 3 amigos on the train. Sure daddy has a cheesy grin, but the look of pure excitement on Alex's face more than makes up for it.

The boys, watching the world go by at the speed of Thomas (about 4 miles per hour).

Thomas, up close and personal.

Sir Topham Hatt (pr. Top-um Hat), not so up close and personal.

Alex, who just realized there was a baseball field nearby.

Watching Thomas arrive from another run.

Now, on to our vacation pictures. Things happened to fall into place that Elly and Noah were available to get together, so we got together with the whole crew in Blue Springs. Its not very often the cousins get to hang out together, so it was nice to see the boys get to play together for a while.

Traveled 390 miles, played with trains. The boy(s) know what he(they) like(s).

More trains. Lots of trains.

Did I mention he likes trains?

Don't forget about me!! I'm still cute too, right?

The official Zach 9 month old picture. I'm sure that facial expression means something, but I don't know what.

Alex and Grandpa at the zoo.

Alex checking out the wildlife.

Thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Frank, the gang got to spend a day out on Lake Jacomo on a pontoon boat. It was a very relaxing day, just hanging out and floating around.

Zach, playing with Alex's fishing pole.

Alex, "fishing" (no hook, no bait) with mommy's help. Soon after this picture was taken, the fishing pole found its way to the bottom of the lake (yep...it is still there).

Zach swimming with Aunt Elly's help. His little outfit is even less comfortable than it looks. Think a chunk of foam on your chest, and thin foam pillow under your head, and long, nasty, thong-like strap connecting the two. Just lovely.

Zach, enjoying his post swim crackers a little too much.

Alex, re-hydrating after a long morning of avoiding getting wet at all costs.

Nap time on the pontoon boat.

A life vest makes a good pillow.

Zach in his outfit-de-comfort. This was the only time he wasn't really crying about his outfit.

The whole gang.

Zach, helping grandpa pick his next fishing lure.

Andy spitting lake water at me (yes, collective "eeeeewwww")...after this I threatened to have him walk back to Ord.

While we were boating, we had some company......at first there was only one raccoon......

Then two raccoons....and the crackers we didn't quite get to the shore.

The raccoon....trying to get close enough to reach the crackers.....

We also got a chance to swing downtown to Crown Center, a little indoor shopping area in downtown Kansas City with some neat little shops and restaurants, including a Fritz's, a restaurant where your food is delivered by an elaborate series of trains attached to the ceiling.

Alex and Noah outside of Fritz's....aka "The Train Restaurant".....

Zach eating his lunch (fruit and fries). :)

Alex eating his lunch (grilled cheese and fries).

This is just a quick video of the train delivery apparatus. Yeah, the restaurant is about as loud as this video.

Saturday evening, the boys were playing in a pool in the front driveway, and we were able to snap a few pictures and a video as a water fight ensued.

The crew - (if you notice, Dan is getting Sarah with a water gun - Go Dan!)

Silly boys!

Noah, Alex, and Ruby share the pool. We got a kick out of Alex's "plumber butt" - - - his pullup was SOAKED!! He got his clothes off soon after this (Noah had just stripped)......