A Kansas Christmas

There's no place like home... for the holidays. See what I just did there? Luckily it has always been easy-breezy to divide the holidays for our families. Rhett has more family together for Thanksgiving in South Carolina and my side has more family together for Christmas. So we saddle up and head "west" to the ice and snow every Christmas. The past few years, my dad has taken on a "computer on a stick" look and although it's nothing like having him home with us, Google Hangouts is the next best thing.

My favorite part about my parents moving from my hometown of Lawrence to Kansas City.... Hold on, I need to address this: yes, if you thought Kansas City was in both Kansas and Missouri, you would be correct. Having spent 16 years of my life in Kansas, I just can't say, "I'm from Missouri." No offense. Anyways, so after my sister and I were finished with high school, my parents moved to Kansas City and the Country Club Plaza is a few minutes away from their home in the Brookside neighborhood. The Plaza is one of Kansas City's most iconic areas with great shopping and even better restaurants. And their restaurant scene gets better and better every time I'm back. We never have enough time to visit all of our favorites.

This year's Christmas at the Plaza highlights included...

My version of the happiest place on earth, Jack Stack BBQ.
That right there is a little something they like to call "cheesy corn bake."
Kansas City-style BBQ, as opposed to other styles, is known for their
thick and sweet sauces. Many locals will tell you that Kansas City's BBQ favorites
(Jack Stack, as well as Gates, Arthur Bryant's, and Oklahoma Joe's)
are all known for a specific type of meat and may go to one place for
their baby back ribs and to another for their burnt ends.

An impromptu wine tasting at a new place called Cooper's Hawk Winery.

No, our expectations weren't high, but unfortunately I would not recommend it.
We all thought the wine was below average and
we didn't learn anything new after trying eight different wines.

A new toy store, ZOOM, is clearly fun for all ages.
Wall to wall and floor to ceiling with toys, but organized well so it's not overwhelming.
Fun to see the toys out there these days that aren't on an i-something.


This was the first time I went home and really thought Kansas City is
giving the foodie hot spots around the country a run for their money.
Amazing burgers, sandwiches and "fire fries" (thin-cut fries tossed in a habanero/chili/garlic oil)
with house-made ketchup and mustard at blanc burgers + bottles.



French onion dumplings at Gram & Dun.
O. M. G.
When we got bumped to the next day at the airport,
my mom picked us up and we went straight back there.
I can't remember ever going to the same restaurant twice in one trip,
let alone on the same day.
Make reservations! They're booked nearly every night.


And of course, the Plaza Lights.
Every year (this was the 83rd annual) there is a huge plaza lighting event
and they'll sell the bulbs as Christmas ornaments afterwards.

Eating, shopping, then more eating (or shopping, eating, then more shopping?) is always fun, but nothing beats being at home with family for the holidays.

We can almost always rely on "extra fridge space" around the holidays.

Rarely so warm we can't do this with leftovers.


We could never be more grateful for video chat.
This year, Google Hangout made it super easy to have
a video call with multiple devices.
Dad and sister on a stick this year.


And with cousins in Chicago, Denver, Austin, and the Carolinas,
it's rare our tiny, little family is in the same place at one time.


But those that are play charades.

Another holiday season tucked snugly under our belts. Thankful year-round for family, friends, work and happiness. I guess I'll take our tree down now? Or make it a Valentine's tree? And St. Patrick's tree?....

By the way, my sister and brother-in-law have one cute nephew, Steele. Exhibit A:

Photo by Sadie

[all other photos: Mrs. WRCIV]