Weekend in St. Louis

We planned an overnight trip to St. Louis to get out of town and enjoy some time together, just the 3 of us. Also, Griffin had been asking repeatedly to go to a Cardinals game.....which now he realizes it's not just a quick trip to town that can be accomplished any time he wants.

The weather was beautiful on Saturday and we enjoyed a lap around the zoo before the game. It was fun to see Griffin's excitement when he saw animals that we look at/talk about in his Ranger Rick Jr.  magazine that he gets. A nice day makes for a packed zoo, so pictures aren’t that great. We ran out of time and did not get Griffin on the train but promised to do that first thing on our next trip.

click here and scroll down to see Griffin at this statue
last time we went

this is what the lion was doing

the best part of the St. Louis zoo is the hippo area

this one decided to get in and swim along the glass like they do

here he comes! Griffin was trying to step back

there he goes!

I think this is the elephant that was a baby last time we went

new baby

We took a few minutes to freshen up and change at the hotel, then headed over to the game that evening. Our good friends Josh & Nicole met us there since they had come to town to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Griffin eagerly looked for Fred Bird (the Cardinals mascot) every chance he got and had no trouble staying pretty happy for all 9 innings.

We also had tickets for the game on Sunday afternoon. It was pretty special because a co-worker of mine was there to throw out the first pitch and we got to witness it! Jeff is our Operations Manager and four years after being told he was as good as dead, he is a cancer survivor and one of the most positive and inspirational people you’ll ever meet. (Read his blog here.) Since Drew was heading out for a business trip Monday morning, we had planned on heading home fairly early in order for him to get ready to leave again. I think it was during the 3^rd inning that we made our way out and got on the road. 

free balloons and face (arm) painting in the hotel lobby

had to get Fred Bird of course

there's Jeff and his wife in the white jerseys

worn out! he slept the whole way home

We are looking forward to our next game in July. It is scheduled to be a Run the Bases game for kids, so stay tuned for pics of Drew and Griffin scoring 2 for the home team.

Silver Dollar City 2014

Drew is not a huge fan of Silver Dollar City, or being packed into places with a lot of people......so he was pleased to hear that Shiloh, Griffin, and I were taking our Grandma Delores to the park this past weekend. She had not been there since my mom was a baby and they were just traveling through the Ozarks, "camping every other night in a tent". We rented an Electronic Convenience Vehicle (she took a little convincing of this) for Granny and it turned out to be a good thing for her and our personal entertainment all day. We all had a good time. 

waiting is the worst part!

butterflies are right beside the frogs

Griffin was tall enough for Shiloh's favorite ride.....and I was shocked
that he was excited to give it a try

so far, so good

hard to see, but Grandma Delores, Shiloh, and Griffin took
the teacups for a spin

waiting for the train

Griffin wasn't so sure about his first time on the flooded mine shaft ride

Shiloh wasn't messing around

see the targets?

who cares about a picture, is it over? 

a shot of her in action

 

hold an umbrella AND maneuver #29....pure talent

Bring on little brother......

Griffin has been really obsessed with Mrs. Jessica (head of the daycare) having a baby. For the last however many months, he has learned all about pregnancy and watched a growing baby belly happen before his eyes. (Remember, he goes to daycare 7:30am-6pm, Monday-Friday so he spends A LOT of time with the ladies/kids there). This must be why he is so relaxed and comfortable with the coming of his baby brother. That has been a blessing.

Last night, Griffin was super excited to visit Mrs. Jessica at home and meet Holly for the first time. We were both teary-eyed when he sat down to hold her and immediately started whispering everything he said. I had to ask several times if he was done before he finally let us take her. She got a kiss, hug, head rubs, and her toes counted before it was all said and done. My heart was smiling!!

Let's hope he feels the same about his baby brother!

 

counting toes

 Hopefully, the transition to being a family of four will be no big deal!