CrAzY hAiR dAy 2o11

CuTe. FuNnY. sWeEt.

Meramac Caverns and our brief connection with Billy the Kis

(Tate is laughing because I bought a huge amount of fudge..... I actually have never bought fudge before so I didn't know that 2 pounds is enough to feed an army. Now I know!! Lol)

Meramac Caverns was the hide out of Billy the Kid. It is long and deep, but he knew a good way in and another way out. He was one hard outlaw to catch! This cavern wasn't discovered until Billy the Kid made it known so the formations are beautiful and fairly untouched.

It was a great outing. We walked in the cave and Eric said, "This smells like America." It sure did. The midwest has a feel and smell all its own. I will miss this area and glad that we have been able to explore it before my parents move. Yee-haw!!

DAYS OF SCHOOL LEFT!!!! BUT WHO IS COUNTING....

YIPEE!!!!

The happiest place on the earth

Disneyland has been advertising this title for as long as I can remember, but I beg to differ. We LOVE the City Museum (dare I say) more than Disney. Maybe if we gave Disney a fair shot, but things keep happening that keep us again so...... our fav is this amazing place. Actually it is a parents dream and nightmare all wrapped up in one. The creator(s) are genius. The sad part of this description is that you can capture the place with words or even pictures. You have to go there to see what I am talking about and to experience it yourself. We have been many times over the years and it just keeps getting better, a tad safer and more fun. I guess the nice thing about St. Louis is that it is the city to fly into before venturing to Nauvoo so we might have the chance to go there again after my parents move (bitter sweet...). Rather than posting a million pics (which I definitely do have), Eric was kind enough to make us a quick video of our days excursion. Here goes......

All aboard the choo choo train (I 've got songs in my head...)

We ventured to the Missouri Transportation Museum and what a treat it was. They are even expanding it, but I am not sure we will ever get back there.... We missed several of the activities of the museum, but there was so much to see that I don't feel like we missed anything at all. They have a very impressive car museum and outside they have trains of all kinds, some even dating back to the late 1800's. We climbed on and through steam engines, passenger cars, cabooses, milk cars etc. Some of the trains had been used in films and were from all parts of the country and world.

I love the midwest and I love even more having my children see and touch a little bit of history. We are fortunate to live in DC where history is around every corner, but the Bible belt, aka, the heartland of America is refreshing and different. I don't want to live there, but I enjoy visiting. My parents will be moving to Utah in the next year and I will miss this area. I have come to really love it and look forward to our visits. I am happy that they will be in Utah, but will miss Illinois. I didn't even need to live there to feel apart of my parent's life and home. Their home and yard are beautiful and they have taken great care to make it so. I took some additional pics of some of the things I love in their home and the fun we have in the evenings.

I am blessed.

I do go on these trips!!.....

This car was used in the World's Fair in NY.

A clothing designer designed this car as a gift for someone. It is beautiful.

Hey Boris! My mom wanted me to take this pic for Tia.... because it is Russian and say's "Boris" on it.

Steve McQueen's motorcycle in The Great Escape. Pretty sweet!

Dean Martin's Ghia and my personal fav. Only 26 made. Nice!!


The American Graffiti car. In perfect shape!

The first "real" RV.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles.. oh my!!

There were rows and rows of trains......

I love my parent's art wall. Notice the flowers on the left bottom with the blue background? I painted that in 6th grade. (o;

This piece of furniture has been around for as long as I can remember. I think it is pretty and I LOVE all the items from Mexico. We will probably fight over those statues at the top one day and I have every intention of getting them!

This was mine and Tia's doll cradle. I am sure it was made for us by someone. I need to ask. Finn found it to be a nice place to hide and play on my old phone. He stayed there a long time. The boys even built a fort around him so he could just chill. Funny!!

A sticker villain.

A sticker mouse/villain. See that little cupboard on the left. That was mine and Tia's as well. I love that my parent's have my old toys, books etc. Dayna STOLE a lot of our childhood books, but I will get those too! (o;

And speaking of history, our very own Abraham Lincoln!!!!!

Wise words

At Last (Can't you just hear Etta James right now....)

We love St. Louis and even more going to Grandma and Grandpa's house and hanging out. Everyday was filled with fun and excitement. Our schedule went a little like this:

Sunday: Went on a family hike around a nature preserve
Monday: Missouri Botanical Gardens
Tuesday: The Magic House
Wednesday: The Transportation Museum (Eric gets here in the pm)
Thursday: The City Museum
Friday: Meramac Caverns and TORNADO
Saturday: Drive to Chicago so we can get home. Eat some yummy local food and play a round of mini-golf.

I like to veg a little on our vacations, but in St. Louis we go go go. There is so much to do and see, it would be a crime to stay in and do nothing. We enjoy our evenings of Chicken Foot, ice cream and hanging out, but the days are planned and ready. I am going to post Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for today. I have lots a great pics and limited time..... Finn no longer has a morning babysitter and he does not nap so my day is dedicated to him. I love it, but I miss my free time.... My poor little blog has suffered, but life is good and we are busy!

Oh, and only 19 more days of school left (including today!!!) Yipeee!!!!!

Watershed Nature Center

Tate found a goose egg. Some goon told him that they hatch in water...... Someone needs to study up! I am afraid this little one was a goner.

Missouri Botanical Gardens

My weary travelers... Lol!!

Gabe spent some serious time in their outdoor kitchen. He made it his own!!

Now this is my kind of planter box!!

I LOVE these sculptures! They are so cute and functional!!

This garden looks like an outdoor garden in Spain. Sigh.....

The Magic House

Tate has the perfect hair for this!!

I love how Finn is looking up at Tate with such love and adoration. Very sweet!!

They love the bubble room. Really fun!!

The Magic House has added a nice outdoor garden with a couple of water features. Of course Finn fell in or rather was helped in by Gabe. Oh boys.... (o;

Life is good!!