Girls Weekend

For the second year in a row, my friends from college and I went on a trip over MLK weekend. It is a nice tradition, and I hope it continues for many years. Last year, we traveled to Chicago for the inaugural trip with lots of shopping and Wicked. This year we decided on something a little less intense. Our friend, Kristen, moved home to Kansas after several years in Nashville. She is the most thoughtful friend I know. All through college she visited our homes and families, so we were excited to travel to her home and meet her family. Betsy, Emily, Jenny and I left Nashville at 6 on Friday night and flew to Kansas City. (For those on the trip last year, we made it through security without any excitement). Kristen picked us up at the airport. It was very foggy, so we were not able to see much of the city. However, one of the first things we noticed was some interesting art leaving the airport. As the trip continued, we learned Kansas City has some very strange art. We stayed at the Sheraton Suites on the Plaza. Friday night we enjoyed hanging out at the hotel.

Saturday morning we went to Panera for breakfast! YUM!! I love their Cinnamon Crunch bagels. After breakfast, we walked through the Plaza and went in several shops. None of us spent as much money as we did last year. The weather was very nice and bearable. We went to lunch at Winstead's, a local diner. We enjoyed burgers, fries, and onion rings. Next, we traveled to the Crown Center. Hallmark's headquarters are in Kansas City, located next to the Crown Center. The rest of the day was spent driving and enjoying the sights of Kansas City. The city is known as "The City of Fountains." With the fountains being turned off, we decided the city was better named "The City of Statues." We enjoyed taking MANY pictures with statues. Saturday night we had dinner with Kristen's family. They bought BBQ for us, and we had fun spending time with her nephews and the rest of the family.

On Sunday, we went to church at Overland Park Church of Christ and watched Kristen teach. After worship, we had lunch at a local pizza joint. Then back to the Plaza for more pictures with statues and shopping. We saw the movie "Leap Year." It was such a cute movie and a fun one to see with a bunch of my girlfriends. We went back to the hotel and relived our college years. It was fun to reminisce and laugh about things we had not thought about in several years. Later that night, we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner.

We left early Monday morning. It was a great, relaxing weekend spent with some of my closest friends. Thanks girls for all the fun!! I can't wait for our trip next year...Hot Springs here we come!!