Spring wonders

Looking for the moon I believe! Don't really know, just thought it was cute...

A Package for Ava

Even at 4, she's already learned that it's a pretty big deal to get a package in the mail! She tore through it like Christmas morning!

Thank You, Jimmy, Jennifer, AnaGrace, and Sam! She LOVES it!!


I don't really know how you knew...but she's just recently learned about Hello Kitty!



Can't wait to get those flip flops on.



A model? Ava has worn this watch daily!

A day on the tractor...if only I had some hay...

Early summer days here can be gorgeous. We try to take advantage of the lingering spring like temperatures. Since we swapped Ava's bicycle back with Nana and Pawpaw, she was left with her tractor and scooter. She loves the tractor especially...mostly because it's like Pawpaw's, but also I think because it doesn't go too fast and get away from her.







She rides around the car in the garage and makes a loop on the driveway. Usually talking about Pawpaw's tractor the whole time.

"STAYcation" - part three

The Final installment of the Staycation...Our last day of fun. It is bittersweet. I have really enjoyed being able to show off my town but hate that it's almost over! Ya'll will have to come back soon...there is so much left to do!!

Downtown Adventure #1 - The Arch



We parked and walked over to the Arch. We wanted to have a good parking spot so we wouldn't have to move the car for the ball game. And... so we could have the good photo ops of the arch...

On our walk to the riverfront, Ava had the best view!


Stnding by the south leg of the arch...Mel, Tom, Ava, Brooke


Leaning about the building of the Arch...haha


In the elevator pod to take the ride up to the top!!


Looking out the windows at the top...looking toward the stadium...


In line to ride back to the base...I didn't know this about my cousin until today...she is a little claustrophobic and skeptical of heights. I was so proud of her, she didn't let that stop her from experiencing the top of the Arch! {and of course, we have proof that she was there!}



Downtown Adventure #2 - Cardinals Game

Heading to the GAME!! Let's go CARDS!!


We had AWESOME seats...with a perfect view of the arch...



Can't tell you who won the game that day...I think we did...but it doesn't matter, it was a super fun day!!

"STAYcation" - part two

After a quick night's sleep to recover and refresh...we ventured out to the Magic House!


Ava and Brooke have always been much like sisters...well, with an 8 hour drive seperating them anyway...


The girls made bubbles...



Brooke did her best to raise Ava...


We each took turns to photograph our profile...



Brooke showed off her strength-


The girls learned the power and strength of magnets.



WHOA!!!


Such a silly girl...either that, or she was super hot...


Ava wore herself out climbing Jack's beanstalk...


We learned a little about the government...


...especially that they'll let ANYbody be President :)



That must not have been a serious speech!



Exploring the construction site.




Well, that's enough fun for today. We have business to take care of. Tomorrow is packed full of downtown fun including the Arch and a Cardinals baseball game. We can't take them to the ballpark without having Cardinals gear...off to the mall!

A family fun "STAYcation" (Part One)

We were so happy to welcome Tommy, Melonie, and Brooke to spend some fun time with us here in St. Louis. We tried hard to keep them busy but leave enough gound uncovered that they would want to come visit us again! I promised to make the visit fun for everyone...but secretly was looking forward to having some "girl" time with my cousin.


They made me slave away cooking dinner while they played card games...


Day One: We jumped right in for fun times with a trip to Six Flags!

We watched while the dads rode. Ava and Brooke found a sprinkler and ran through the mist. We picked a perfect day to visit. We walked right up to the front of the line on almost every single ride!!


Sweet Cousins...



The girls rode nearly every ride in the Looney Tunes forrest...





Ava rode her very first roller coasters. The first one was the Runaway Mine Train - which she loved all except for the huge hill in the tunnel. Then her second roller coaster was this...The Pandamonium {previously known as the Tony Hawk}

Looked pretty low key...I thought I could try it later...which I did, and regretted it instantly!

Ran through more fountains~



Ava ate lots {well, all actually} of Brooke's cotton candy...



The girls got tattoos...




ALL THE GIRLS :)




We saw a dance party.


Got hugs from Sylvester.




Then, of course we rode the TRAIN!


Looks like we've had an exhausting time?


Brooke tried to teach Ava how to ride with no fear...


Six Flags was a hit! It was the most perfect day to go. The weather was nice, there were minimal lines, and we rode everything we wanted to. We got soaked on Thunder River, laughed a lot about that. Ava's favorite ride was the log flume...she laughed and laughed every time she came down the hill.

Fun Day?? Mission accomplished!!