Wichita weekend with FHSU friends

Once every year or so, we try to coordinate a get-together with a group of our college friends from FHSU. We've met in many different locations over the years, but this year the majority voted on Wichita. Most of us got hotel rooms at the same place and we all came together for a weekend of relaxation, catching up, meeting new family members and reliving the good ole' days. We all hit the pool first thing when we arrived, and our HUGE group of about 36 people pretty much filled up that pool! Our kids all got along as though they've been hanging out forever, and it was the perfect day to be chilling in the water!

Chris photo bombing with Sarah, Amber & Jacque.

 Layne, Jason & Zane.

 After pool time, we ordered a bunch of cheap pizzas and we'd all brought along side dishes, and we settled in for a very low-key dinner in the hotel meeting room.

 After it had cooled off a bit, we headed over to the Sedgwick County Park and enjoyed their AWESOME playground--very impressive. The kids were in heaven!

 Ash spinning around in the cups.

 Brynn, Asher & Carter.

 The whole gang...look at all those kids!!

 Ash & his buddy, Sarah.

 The next morning, most of the group met at the Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard. Some of our other friends from FHSU actually own the park, so it was fun to meet up with them as well!

First stop...feeding the giraffes! We love how interactive this park is...there is nothing quite like looking at some of these animals face to face or feeding them snacks.

 Incredible!!

 Happy guys!

 Caden, Asher & Carter checking out the monkeys.

 Feeding the lorakeets...Carter was pretty brave about it, but he did not love them climbing all over his arms...a little too close for comfort sometimes ;).

 Amber & Abby watching from the outside.

 Petting the kangaroos...lots of them even had babies in their pouches.

He'd get down right in their faces and "talk" to them...hilarious!

The Haines kids feeding a rhino!

Feeding the turtles some lettuce.

This was probably the kids' favorite part--the lemur island. I can't help but think of the movie Madagascar every time I see these little guys. They are so friendly!

Beth's new friend :).

Once again, having a full-fledged conversation with the wild animals. He fits right in.

Our last stop was the white tigers...Asher checking them out with Sarah & Brynn.

Our friend Matt, who owns the park showing us the honey badger he took to the Letterman Show a few months back!