St. Louis

We had been planning on traveling and camping with some friends in Nauvoo over Memorial Day weekend, but that was right in the midst of Thunderstorm/Tornado time around these parts and so we looked at the forecast and decided camping was not for us.  Because I couldn't bring myself to use our free hotel stays (we had some from a credit card) in Nauvoo when we can easily day-trip there, we headed off to St. Louis for the weekend instead.  Our friends have promised to forgive us someday, although I am not sure they will ever trust us again.  Usually I am dependable, but apparently not after performance week, and not in the middle of a Thunderstorm.

Driving in the car:

While our kids were excited when we said we were driving to St. Louis, they were downright ecstatic when we mentioned we would be staying in a hotel... and for three nights!  Seriously, they actually cheered in the car.  They love hotels.  In fact, early on in our schooling Ellie once told Justin to get a job so she could stay in a hotel.  Needless to say, they were very happy to lounge in bed and watch..... Full House.

First stop: Food.  I love eating out.  What can I say... Libbi did have her part in raising me.  So, it is not an exaggeration to say that our trip was planned quite a bit around food.  This was at an Italian Place recommended in an article I read about St. Louis.  Pretty sure they don't usually have kids in there, let alone four. Luckily, Spencer was hungry enough he stopped yelling when the food came.

When I was taking Ellie's picture, Spencer screamed in anguish.  When I turned back to him, he did this:

First stop, Magic House:

Justin picked BBQ for his food choice, and we got a recommendation from our friend's the Ebberts.  Unfortunately we didn't take all their good advice, so we ended up standing in line for a bit.  At one point Grant had a top hat with Pappy's Restaurant stickers all over it pulled over his head while he wildly danced (that boy has got some moves). The owner took video and said he was going to put it on facebook, so if you ever see a viral video of a crazy boy dancing... that's our Grantster.

The Arch:

Ice cream.  I just love Grant's face here.  Who knows what made him mad, but he is quite the character right now.

Swimming in the pool.  Luckily, Spencer was a little frightened and I had to stay out with him.

Sunday we went to see the St. Louis Temple.

Watching TV in the morning.  They look grumpy here, which is funny.  Because this was one of their favorite activities.  Grant and Meg also fought over the Gideon Bible the entire time we were there.

The St. Louis Zoo.  When we finally left, we had barely made it into the car when there was a massive downpour.  Very lucky timing for us.  The kids loved telling me they knew exactly when we should leave.  They were tired and I wanted to see a few more things, but they were right.  It was time to go.

Lucky Lilacs

This year we had official glasses for Lucky Lilacs.  We also had friends over.  Ellie told me she liked it better because it seemed more like Grandma Becky's, but that she still liked Grandma Becky's best.  I apparently missed getting a picture of Meg on my lap, and Spencer apparently finds Lucky Lilacs to be quite suspicious.

Random Happenings in May

Meg reads to and tends Spencer for me.  She is such a little mother.  In fact, Grant sometimes refers to me as his "other mother" and to her as "mother."  She is a big time help with Spencer and I will miss her when she goes to school next year.

For a little while we took Spencer's binky away.  He took to sucking on this rubber duck instead.  I'm sure we'll get back to taking it away some time soon.  When he stops yelling at me about it. You know, when he's forty or something.

Everybody walking home from dropping off Ellie.  While picturesque, we didn't get far before Spencer had to go back in the stroller.  He doesn't really walk forward.  He wanders backward, goes into the trees and just plain stops.  We would never get home if we went according to his timetable.

Eating dirt:

Crazy day at school:

Pants that don't quite fit:

Around the house:

Furious that I took away the stamp pad he was eating.  Blue.  In case you didn't notice.

Helping plant our garden.  Oh, tomatoes.  How I love you!  Grow soon!

Caterpillars into Butterflies.... Justin and I were just as interested as anybody else.  They came out of their slumber when my mom came in town.  We never actually saw one exit.  Poof! And they were there.

80 cent ice cream.  Divine.

Dinner out to avoid the craziness at home.  At least I didn't have to sweep the floor.

Ellie wanted to make her own slide for her microscope so Justin took one for the team and stabbed himself to get a blood sample.  The kids were fascinated that Dad's blood looked that cool.