Spring in St.Louis

We spent a beautiful, but quick, weekend in St. Louis last weekend. We arrived on Friday evening. the kids played and we watched the Hawks/Blues game. 

 

 

The next morning, we headed to Grant's Farm for their opening day. On the tram through the park, a photographer from the Post-Dispatch sat in front of us. I really thought it was my our chance to be discovered, but unfortunately we didn't make the paper.

These two loved exploring on their own for the first time.

Feeding the baby goats. Always a bust, but they have fun petting them, at least.

Paige is at such a fun age for this stuff. She was giggling the whole time.

The big goats were a little more eager to eat.

Waiting for the carousel.

I love this shot. I just wish Brooke's head was sticking out a little more.

Her expressions sometimes. She was sad that it was almost over.

Joy.

Watching the animal show.

Snow cones! And for the adults, free beer!

The kids pulled out some of their sweet dance moves for the live band.

Back to the car.

That day, Joel had proposed to Jenn (YAY!!!) and had everyone gather at Fitz's for a surprise dinner. At Joel's suggestion, the big girls joined us. They felt like SUCH big shots, staying out late and sitting at a different table than us. It was really fun that they got to be a part of the night.

The happy couple with two of their biggest fans.

The next day, we had a little family party for Paige's birthday. She was pretty wiped after the hectic weekend, but she made the best of it.

Finally, her own cake!!!

This is the guy you want to have feeding you sweets. No such thing as too much.

Opening gifts. She got a broom set and several accessories sets. She was a happy little girl.

We don't call her Stink Eye for nothing.

It really was SUCH a great weekend. It was so fun to celebrate Joel and Jenn AND Paige. Let the wedding festivities begin!

April Randoms

Whoops...April's almost over and I'm just now posting. Things have been pretty crazy here, but in a good way. Paige has graduated from PT (yay!), so we now have at least one free morning each week. These two usually spend it playing pretty well together.

We went to see "Cinderella After the Ball" at the Mariott theater in Lincolnshire the weekend we got back from spring break. All the kids actually seemed pretty entertained by it. It was a really cute play and as always, well done.

This girls loves drama, er, theater.

Cousin time at Grammie Deb's while I was helping in Brooke's class.

Ozzie's birthday also fell in the midst of all the craziness, so we had to make him his "Pupcakes."

Paige was happy to join in on the action, but not happy that she couldn't eat everything.

It's a little silly, but I kind of love this tradition. Ozzie puts up with a lot so it's nice to give him a little special time.

Brooke and Miles have gotten much more confident on the ice. I think the lessons have been a good thing (although I will not miss them in place of swimming this summer).

Brooke had her first softball practice and team pictures this past week. Matt's her coach, so stay tuned for some fun stories.

Happy April!

Spring Birthday Party

Because everyone's schedules were crazy around Miles', Paige's, and Jamie's birthdays, we did a combined party for the three of them a few weeks back.

A birthday toast.

Cousin fun.

Paige and Grandma Audie in a rousing game of Memory.

Cupcake time!

 

Birthday boy.

Birthday girls.

Presents!

Brooke reading her card to Aunt Jamie. If you haven't noticed, that's one of her favorite things to do at other people's birthdays.

I love this shot!

 Happy birthday, guys!

Miles is 4!

It's hard to believe that this little guy is four already. Between a My Gym party, actual birthday in Florida, and another celebration a couple of weeks later, it can't be said that he didn't celebrate in style.

Miles is such a sweet little guy. He really is sensitive and sweet and seems to be a peacemaker (most of the time...he is only four). He's quick to want to help me or his sisters whenever he can. This is such a cliche mom line, but I think he's going to make some girl very lucky some day.

He's more into sports than Brooke was at his age, although I still wouldn't say that he's super-sporty at the moment. Hockey, baseball and basketball are the sports he talks most about. He also likes golf quite a bit.

He can also be really goofy and silly and loves to laugh and make others laugh. He's pretty quiet in bigger groups, but is happy to show off in a smaller arena.

 He's a pretty good eater. He's also tall - 41" and grew 4" from his 3 to his 4-year check ups. He's a great sleeper, usually sleeping 7-7. He'll fall asleep in the afternoon a couple of times a month.

He's still working hard on improving his speech and has really long days on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but he never complains.

He's such a special, happy little guy and a light in our lives. Happy birthday, Miles!