Saturday - movies and the old house

Aunt Chrissy and I took the older 3 kids to see Night at the Museum (the first one was better). Too bad all of the best parts were in the trailers. Then we went to Red Robin for lunch. It is here that I realized why we don't go out to eat as a family a lot. There were 5 of us for lunch and normally Travis and I go out on date nights (just the 2 of us). Can you say "cha ching"?

After the lunch, we drove the long way home past the first house we lived in when we moved to St Louis. My parents rented this house while they looked for a place to buy. I loved this house. We had a dog, a green kitchen, and a basement with a fort of refrig/washer/dryer boxes. It was up on a hill and near a lake that we would go swimming in the summer.

Back yard of rental.



Below is the store on the corner of the rental street. Just like I remember, so I guess somethings don't change.

Then I had to drive past my 2nd grade Elementary School. Ahh! Mrs. Griswold. I remember getting teased in the coat closet (they have those in Missouri) being called Butterball (in reference to my last name - I was a twig).

I also remember hearing my voice recorded on a tape player reading a book for the first time. I remember thinking - is that really me? Good times. What I remember the most about this school I went to for one year - The baseball Cardinals won the World Series - and there was a huge (2-story) Congratulatory sign in the common area in 1982. I also remember the remix of Celebration on the radio. I remember Ozzie Smith doing his famous back flip. Ahh!

This is me by their PTO sign. I am sure if I still lived here, I would be able to park here (My President gig is up June 30th! Then I can go back to being just a parent.).

NAUVOO

We drove 3 hours up to Nauvoo on Thursday and stayed till Friday evening. We drove to Carthage Jail as well. These are just some of the 200 pictures I took of the trip.

Love this shot of Sweetie playing with her pioneer baby doll. Adorable.
Women's Garden at Visitor's Center

RHM being extremely silly. If you only watch one video, watch this one.

Makin' rope - the key principle they taught here was working together. It lasted as long as we were in front of the missionaries. Darn it!

Pioneer Games for children (minus the stir pull - none of that)- we ate lunch here. SO FUN and NO TV! Amazing.

We went to 4 shows in 24 hours. The next 2 videos are from the sunset show - which was my favorite and the kids are still quoting it.

Trumpet mouth piece on a tube and funnel.

Pictures of us at the 4 different shows. Great youth performance group! Apparently, you have to send in a audition tape and have a Stake President interview and recommendation to be in the performance group. It is a summer mission. They wear tags when they don't perform. They sing, they dance, and they even play "The Devil went down to Georgia". Crazy, but true. The brass band was awesome, TOO!

"Old Ladies" with walkers (young men acting silly)

Joseph Smith, Jr. sites (homestead, Red Brick House, and Carthage)

We took 2 amazing "rides" while in Nauvoo. A horse and wagon ride tour that explained everything and lasted 1 hour and an oxen ride that was amazing, but short. We were able to touch the soft skin and fur of the oxen. They were calm animals and so gentle. These were young oxen and still learning voice commands. Duke and Don were their names.

St. Louis Zoo - a great Wednesday

I love this picture. It is such a "picture" and not a true representation of what was going on at the time. Let me explain.
This picture was taken after we waited for Mom and Agent J to get back from buying a hat/ the restroom near the beginning of the zoo adventure (don't get me wrong - we had fun, but any family adventure has its ups and downs). While we waited, RHM wanted to sit in the stroller - Trav wanted him out because we rented the stroller for Sweetie and the blue lunch cooler, not the 5 year old. So, Trav finally got him out and then Sweetie wanted to push the stroller, not ride in it. It was crazy! She made it hard to help her, because she (the non-verbal one) kept screaming anytime Trav put his hands on the handle bars. Then - we were in the rain forest section - on a VERY HUMID day. (I think it has rained everyday we have been here, mostly in the early mornings or evenings). Travis loves the green and the rolling hills here, but HATES, HATES, HATES the humidity. He was sweating down his back at this point (15 minutes into the zoo adventure).
So to re-cap, sweating, fighting, pushing, helping, waiting, arguing and then I say, "Hey, honey! Turn around and smile!"
So, he did. Great husband, I have.

Gotta love the fake lizard scared face. Silly kids. The next little slide show is just for Chrissy, my sister. She loves frogs. She was working this day, but it was fun to take pictures and think of her while looking at frogs. Ribbet.

One more little side story - RHM is getting a little jealous when the camera is not pointed at him. His favorite question is - What about me? (sounds like another kid I have, but I digress). Anywho...if you look about at the frog slide show and the fake lizard pictures - you will see the results of his "What about me?" moments.

• I take a picture with Princess and Agent J with the fake lizard and then he chimes in "What about me?" So, I take one with him.
• I get proactive and ask RHM to come take a picture on the green frog, thinking that I am being a good mom and noticing his cry for attention. Then a few minutes later, I take Agent J's and Princess' picture on the blue and orange frogs, and RHM still CRYS OUT(with tears), "What about me?" In my head I want to say, "I already took your picture with a frog, " but I refrain and I take his picture with the orange and blue frogs after I dry his tears.

He must need more attention or he thinks the camera is a new appendage. I have been taking pictures non-stop since the wedding.

Vacations are fun, but I think my boy needs a FULL NIGHT'S SLEEP!

Breakfast with the Papa

and Willy!

We didn't get to spend a lot of time with my Dad. But we did get to meet Willy, the woman in his life. So nice to spend some time together. Family is the best. I just wish the time could go on and on. Miss ya already.

Morgan (my uncle), Willy, and my Dad!

Me and Uncle Morgan. (so cute with Sweetie - he is another big teddy bear)

Papa and Princess. Papa played with RHM all during breakfast and outside in the rocking chairs. Papa is the best. He really loves to have fun with the kids and still play catch up with the adults. Can't wait for the next chance to get together.

City Museum in St. Louis

BEST EVER!

Did you know, there's a BUS on the ROOF?!!

This museum was the best recycled playland ever. Adults and kids alike, can climb on anything. It is indoor and outdoor. Outside there is a firetruck, 2 airplanes, lots rebar ladders, and a dragon slide. The sign at the entrance is the old Capital Building cement cube, but now it has "CITY MUSEUM" plaques screwed over the top of 3 of 4 sides of the cement cube. Everything from this place is parts of the city. Basically, it is made of JUNK! It brings a whole new meaning to "Reuse and Recycle". Everything seems to be cleaned and painted, the only time I was grossed out was walking into the bathroom doors made of large plastic strips from an old commerical freezer. I am sure they were clean - the bathroom smelled like bleach, so made that is what grossed me out - TOO STRONG bleach.

All in all, my kids all asked, "Why do they call this a museum? It is FUN!"

My brother's Wedding!

The wedding in a nutshell was beautiful.

The reception was a HUGE PARTY!

The bride's shoes and her bouquet. Her poor feet.

THE HAPPY COUPLE.

Leslie and Luke

Look at the above picture closely. The ring bearer is clinging to his mommy, Maid of Honor, Melissa and his Aunt Leslie. SO CUTE! He stole the show.

Cousin S, the flower girl and RHM.

Princess and Agent J (notice his new nickname).
My Dad and Willy and my brother, Matt the usher.

Luke, MY BROTHER, and my Mom.

Flower girl dancing after the service. ADORABLE. She is my niece.

My family with the bride and groom.

THIS IS MY WHOLE FAMILY! My mom, my dad, Willy, my siblings, my nieces and my nephew and my family. I LOVED IT! Being together is great.

Look close to the groomsman in the back left of this picture. FUNNY pic!

Me and my honey.

Luke, Dad, and Matt and the flower girl, Cousin S.

MY FAVORITE PICTURE!

Sweetie and Cousin S - DANCING

Matt's beautiful family. LOVE IT!

Sweetie with no tights and Aunt Chrissy's shoes. She had her shoes and tights off in the first hour. Silly baby.

Agent J and RHM at the hotel before the wedding. I think they look like MIB - Men In Black.

THE BOYS!

These guys are cousins and looked great with their matching ties and awesome dance moves. Speaking of dance moves, check out the slide.com show in the sidebar of the dancing and karaoke at the reception. THE PARTY ROCKED! Love that this couple knows how to throw a party.

Believe it or not, Travis loves to karaoke. He is the funny one of the two of us. I just like more attention than him. You won't see me singing - just my honey.

My Uncle Russ and Aunt Jackie. I haven't seen them in years.

Their son, my cousin Evan (14).

More cousins, Susahnah (16), Cathrine (almost 18), and Caroline (12 - no, really).

My brother Matt and me. I am the oldest and I love my brother.

Me and my mom. Great party.

Now, don't forget to check out the dance moves in the side bar. Go on. Check it out. GREAT MOVES.