We were in Kansas City this weekend to celebrate two birthdays – my snister’s and Steven’s dad’s. Steven’s dad, David, is turning seventy this year, and his brother, Andrew, had the idea to throw him a surprise party. So we bought flight tickets in April, and told Steven’s dad we were coming for my snister’s birthday.
FRIDAY!
Unfortunately, when it was time to go on Friday, Steven and I were feeling uncomfortable leaving Data. He was having a rough day – not eating much and he peed on the bed (ALL HAIL THE MATTRESS PROTECTOR) – both things our vet told us to watch for as signs he was declining fast. I was worried things were going to go way downhill when we were gone, but they didn’t (he ate and used the litter box). Bobbi took great care of him and sent me lots of updates. Love her!
But I would be lying if I said I was feeling chill Friday night, traveling there. I wasn’t. I was worried about Data.
SATURDAY!
I slept horribly Friday night and woke up feeling sore and achy, and had a headache. Yay! Perfect for a day filled with activities and being social! Excedrin Migraine, a short run, caffeine, and lots of water helped, thankfully. I didn’t want to travel all that way just to miss out on the party!
The “surprise” party for David was at a restaurant he likes around noon. Surprise is in quotes because as we were parking by the restaurant, all of his family who traveled in from out of town walked in front of his car and he saw them. Surprise!
Saturday was my snister, Christina’s, actual birthday (David’s is this upcoming Thursday). So, yay, snister, come celebrate your birthday with me and all my in-laws. And Mom and Dad. Ha. (She was totally fine with it.)
David and Christina
After lunch, we hung at David’s for a bit, then nine of us (from Steven’s family) went to the Indians vs Royals game. The Royals won 7-1, the game was in the shade (it was in the 90s), then in the dark, and I had vegan hot dogs. So, all in all, a good night!
Steven went to get his free popcorn refill and this is what they gave him. Score!
After the game we hung out with all of Steven’s family in their hotel room for a bit.
SUNDAY!
Whenever we visit David, Andrew brings over donuts one morning. So the rest of Steven’s family came over to partake.
Andrew picked me up two vegan donuts from Mud Pie! I’ve already included Mud Pie in my vegan donut tour in January. But I got those donuts in Kansas. These donuts are from Missouri. Do I include them in my tour? Hmm.
We hung out with Steven’s family for a bit, then when they left to drive home, we left to meet my family for lunch at Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop. Everything was amazing, and if you’re ever in Kansas City, go! This was the best food I had all weekend, EVEN BETTER THAN MY BALLPARK HOT DOGS!!!
After our short lunch we went to the airport and went home. Our evening was spent unpacking, playing with the fur babies, and doing a few chores! Data was really purry and happy to see us. I think I spent thirty minutes petting him before I went to bed.
I’m glad I got to see my snis on her birthday again this year, and that we got to do something special for David for his seventieth. I think the last time we were together with David’s brother and his kids and their families was in 2011. So that’s special!
Yum, all that food looks so good! That’s really cool that they have vegan hot dogs at the stadium. I’m not sure ours has any vegan food 🙁 I’m glad Data did ok over the weekend 🙂
Hmm, according to the MLB app, you have veggie burgers, hot dogs, and tacos (at the Nationals stadium). There is also a California roll. Most of the ball parks have decent options now!
I am glad too. I was so worried.
Oh wow, that’s great to know about the food options at Nationals Park! I guess I just don’t expect much and just stop looking at the first veggie burger I find.
I usually stop after I find my hotdogs! Ha! This weekend, my BiL had researched for us and knew to take us to this special grill with a few veggie options. I appreciated that!
Love that you guys celebrate, in person, so many birthdays so often!
I wish I could make it to more of them! They do all the family birthdays and I miss most of them!
As an enthusiastic follower of Vegan Donut Tour 2018 (#VeganDonutTour2018 ?), I think you can definitely count Mud Pie, MO as different than Mud Pie, KS. The point of the tour (or, rather, the point us in the peanut gallery came up with after you announced your goal for the year in the first place) was to eat a vegan donut in every *state*, not from a different *bakery* in every state. I suppose the different bakery part might’ve been implied, but since I don’t remember it being explicitly stated, I think your donut from the weekend definitely counts.
Anyway, now that the important matters are out of the way…
I’m glad you were able to enjoy your weekend away, even if it meant leaving Data at home. I’m sure you have an answer for yourself, but I don’t know what’s easier, honestly: being there while they suffer so you can comfort them, or being away and not having to witness it. I had a hard time picking between the two when we had to put my dog down a few years ago. I HATED leaving home knowing I probably wouldn’t see him again, but I also HATED seeing how bad of shape he was in, and I know it would’ve absolutely wrecked me to be there when it all ended. It wrecked me enough being three hours away! There’s just no easy way to go about it, I guess.
Ha! I love your hashtag! And reasoning behind why I should review them. It’s true that I said different states, not different bakeries! One donut was the same, but one was new.
Oh gosh. It would be really hard to live so far away like that. And yes, to LEAVE and wonder “was that it?!” My parents didn’t actually let me know when my childhood cat died or what happened to her (when I was in college), so I never had to deal with this before. RIP Obi.
I think since I see Data every day now though, I want to be here!
Ugh, I know how that feels, leaving your pet when you know they’re in their end game. I hated every single time I left Dutch near the end, even when it was just to go to work! I just knew he was most comfortable with me, and I wanted to be there every second of the day. It’s so hard! I’m glad Data was in good hands with your friend, though. <3
Also, I agree with Bethany's assessment and you SHOULD count those vegan donuts into your vegan donut tour!
Oh my gosh. Going to work would KILL me. Were you able to talk to your coworkers about it (or did you not want to)? And you went home and saw him at lunch, right? Gosh, I am lucky I work from home a lot. Thanks for pointing out that perspective. And yes! Bobbi loves my cats and I’m so glad I have her!
Ok! I will add it! 🙂
…is that guacamole on your hot dog? I’m…not sure how I feel about that 😉 Was it tasty?
So sad about your kitty. One of my cats died of lymphoma, it is heartbreaking 🙁
Yes! It was amazing. I told my BiL that night that my only regret in life is not getting guac on BOTH hot dogs.
Oh man, I’m sorry 🙁
Totally get why you’d be nervous leaving Data, but so glad it worked out fine, and you had a great weekend with both sides of the family! Happy birthday David and Christina!
I am so glad it worked out too! And glad we don’t have travel plans again until Oct!
I’m glad you were able to have fun (and some good eats) despite the stress of being away from Data. That Thai noodle dish looks so saucy; when I saw it (on IG?), I really wanted some noodles right away.
I love that you got all those vegan donuts (and shared!). That was so nice of Andrew and a really fun tradition.
Ugh, it was SO good. I definitely want to go back there the next time we are in town. YUM NOODLES.
Oh, sorry to be confusing – that huge box of donuts was regular ones! Andrew got me two vegan ones. I wish they had a place that had really good vegan donuts and I would get a huge box to share!!!