The Magic House

The thing I love to do the MOST in St. Louis is visit the Magic House (also known as the Children's museum). It is simply awesome, and is even reasonable in price! Grandma and I took the kids Tuesday afternoon. Aside from the fact that it was very crowded, it was wonderful. I am pretty sure they would have stayed there all day if we let them.

On the way into the Magic House was the largest sand castle I have ever seen. They also had a "beach" they had created for kids to play in the sand. That was funny to me because the beach is no big deal to us not too far from the ocean. But for the Midwestern children, it was a fun treat.

Inside, there were many science experiments and fun things to see. Both kids loved the 3-story slide and didn't mind climbing the stairs over and over to keep going down it.

Here are some pictures of some of the science things they did:

We all (except Abigail who refused to participate) love the magic ball that made our hair stand straight up. As a matter of fact, all the employees wear a picture of themself on a button with their hair up!



The best part of the museum is the pretend town. I have never seen anything like it. There is a grocery store (which Abigail stayed in for half an hour at least) fully stocked with play food, cash registers, and more. There was also a house, a bank, a construction zone, the electric company, a restaurant, a TV studio, and an "outside" section for fishing and a tree house. It was really simply amazing.

Just plain and simple... we had fun!

Grandpa Wally's 79th Birthday

Monday night of our stay in St. Louis, my cousin, Steven, his wife, Kendra, and their 3 boys (Kenny, Mike, and Nick) came over to visit and play with A.J. and Abigail. They had a wonderful time. I wish we lived closer to spend more time together.

Here is a picture of all 5 kids playing together and a video clip of them playing football. Watch the clip closely. My family is into football, and theirs is Nascar. A.J. wanted to play football running a traditional football field direction. However, Nick had a different plan -- going left in a circle like a true Nascar man! At least they were having fun.

We also decided to surprise Grandpa Wally for his 79th birthday. The kids helped blow out the candles! Now, wouldn't you just love a piece of cake that 5 children who had been playing football just blew on???

Visit with Aunt Bea

While on our trip, we were able to make a very special visit. My grandfather's aunt lives in St. Louis and is 93 years old (although you could never tell). She is very special to my mom and to me. We haven't seen her since I was in high school, and of course, she has never met my children. She is their great, great, great aunt! Or as Abigail was calling her... her best, best, best aunt! We love our Aunt Bea!

(Here is a representation of 5 generations: Aunt Bea, Grandpa Wally, Grandma, Me, and A.J. and Abigail).

St. Louis Zoo

One of our favorite places to visit when we go to St. Louis is the St. Louis Zoo. It is the world's largest free zoo. Or at least they say it is free. Once you get in for free, then you pay for EVERYthing you do. Thank you Grandma for funding this fun treat!

We, of course, saw lots of amazing animals, rode the train, and got lost in the zoo. I won't bore you with all the animal pictures, but here are a few of the Grandmas and the kids. I couldn't take too many because Abigail wasn't in a picture mood!




Grandma's favorite thing in the zoo is always the penguin house. As a matter of fact, that is how we got lost -- looking for the penguin house! Here are a few pictures of us inside the house and what A.J. thought about it (the video):

Nashville Stop

On the way to St. Louis, we stopped off with Pa at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Pa was there for a convention, and we were able to stay the night in his room. I had never been there before and was blown away at its beauty. Here are a few pictures. All of these pictures are inside the hotel. Truly... amazing.




While there, we took a boat ride through the hotel (pictures below) and saw a light show around the fountain (sorry... no pictures... dead batteries).

We also walked over to Opry Mills mall to eat at Aquarium Restaurant. An employee at the hotel told us it was about a block and a half walk. She was wrong! It was a block and half to the BACK of the parking lot. So, then we walked across the massive parking lot and through the mall. We were worn out. The poor kids had blisters on their feet! Here are some pictures from the restaurant (which was amazing... check out the website).


One last picture... and I call this "NO RED DYE." We have found out the hard way that Abigail cannot handle anything with red dye in it, even as simple as licorice. At the restaurant, she was crazy... climbing over the booth and more. So... lesson learned (AGAIN) -- no red dye!

On the Road Again

We are off...again! Allan is going to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi on a mission trip with the Master Builder's group from our church. My dad is off to Nashville for a convention. So, Mom and I decided to hit the road, too. We are heading to St. Louis to visit my grandparents and cousins. I am sure there will be lots of pictures to share when we get back. Pray for safe travels!

Family Garden

Allan has always taken pride in his garden each summer. This year, since we are in this house for the first time for the full garden season, he has done an excellent job of producing lots of tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and zucchini.

Since some of those are already finished for the season, he took the kids out to plant a new crop - beans. He did a wonderful job of incorporating the children into the lesson of garden.

(By the way.. the annoying noise in the background of the video clip is the city mosquito truck spraying the neighborhood. I hate hearing it, but I am sure glad they do it!).

Here are a few pictures, too. Take a look at Abigail giving Daddy advice from the vegetable book. There is just one problem... the book is upside down!