stay-cation for two

The boys had the opportunity to stay with my parents for a few days a few weekends ago, so Brian and I took advantage of the alone time and did some of those things that we always say we're going to do but never seem to find the time.  It was a much needed break from our day-to-day.

First up was Laumeier Sculpture Park

He wanted to geocache.  I like the thrill of that for about 10 minutes and then I'm done when we still can't find it after that.  We didn't find it this time - maybe with the boys sometime.

This guy reminds me of something from Dr. Who.  Why do I know that?  Elliott has a slight obsession with it and I feel like I've seen almost every episode and still don't understand what is going on.  Anyone else?  Just me?  Okay, we'll move on.

After spending the afternoon at Laumier we decided to head to Elephant Rocks the next day.
I can't believe we have lived here for over 7 years and haven't explored the state parks AT ALL!!  This was so fun, and I definitely want to bring the boys sometime soon.

Ethan says this picture looks like Brian is holding up a potato.

I really couldn't understand how these rocks (which should really be called boulders because they are extremely huge) just sit in these positions and don't move.  Don't they look like they could just tip over at any moment?  I might have been a teeny bit nervous about that.  I do tend to overthink things, but don't tell me I'm the only one that thinks that.

We exhausted Elephant Rocks in record time for us - we didn't even stop to have a snack!  So we had extra time and decided to hit another park nearby that boasted the highest point of elevation in Missouri.  Now how can you pass that up, right?

I have to say the spot is in a very unassuming place and we almost left without even seeing it.

We also hiked to a waterfall while we were at Taum Sauk Mountain.  I was less than thrilled to run into this guy.  I told him he needed to leave so that I could sit a while.  He did not oblige.  So we shared space for a while until I looked away for a few moments and turned back to find him missing. When there is a creepy creature around, I like to be able to see it and know where it is.  So it was time to move on before the little guy freaked me out by scurrying over my feet or something even worse!

It was really pretty up here.  I guess I don't really think of Missouri as a "mountainous" area, and it's definitely not like when we lived in Tennessee or North Georgia, but it was good.  I would love to come back after a good rain and see the waterfall at its best.

Ahhh...the halfway point of the hike back to the car.  This was the point where the terrain started getting easier and the bugs started backing off a little.  I wish we had a picture of it, but we saw a deer and fawn leaping through the woods as we hiked back down - so pretty!

fun sights at the parade

We were very entertained at the local 4th of July parade a few weeks ago.

The prize for strangest sight last year went to the motorcycle donning the buffalo head that stopped right in front of us and stayed there for the rest of the parade.

I'm not sure anything topped that this year.

Our friend, Cameron, marched with the high school band.

Love the sound of a marching band!

Ethan and his friend made valiant efforts to collect as much candy as possible!

One must always dress to the nines for the parade - especially if you're canine.

Not sure if this is the same one, but my dad had a motorcycle hearse in our hometown parade a few years ago so we were excited to see this here too.

Oh YES!  Kelsey spotted the boys as the swim team float went by and threw two heaping handfuls of candy right to them.  They were in Heaven!!  Such a sweet girl!

So this was for one of the area beauty colleges.  Notice the hairdos on the mannequin heads - I'm guessing that appeals to someone but I'm not sure I want that look for myself :)

What parade is complete without an Elvis?

And there are those Junior Wolves!  Elliott was pretty excited to get to walk in the parade with some of his teammates this year.

Not sure what to say about this.  I just don't think I get it.

ethan at the bat

Another baseball season under our belts.  Or under Ethan's belt I should say.

He played in a neighboring city league this summer and loved it.  Once again we were blessed with a great team with great coaches, players and parents.  

Some of my favorite shots from the season are below.

And he even had a little fan club during one game.

Grandma and Gideon drove all the way over here just to watch him play.

What a lucky guy!

carter in the house!

While Amber and Rob took our boys to Six Flags a few weeks ago, Brian and I got to hang out with Carter.  We definitely do not get to see our nephews nearly as much as we would like, so we take full advantage of the time we do get.  Can't wait to see him again soon!

teeth....or no teeth

I'm pretty sure the Tooth Fairy would be broke by now if she still visited our house....I think Elliott has lost more teeth in the past couple of months than in his entire lifetime!

Sometimes he pulls one out everyday.  I'm not sure how he's going to eat anything soon.  He's very proud of how many he has lost so quickly though, so I guess it doesn't bother him.

go cards!

We've been fortunate to see two Cardinals games so far this summer.

We love it every time we go.

The past two times we've been given really great tickets, so we are feeling very spoiled!

St. Louis is celebrating its 250th birthday this year, and there are these cakes all over the city, so we try to hunt them down and get pictures of them.

So far we've only got two though.

It's been a very busy summer.

air show

Went to see the Blue Angels at the air show in May.

It's so incredible the control they have over those huge aircraft.

Such talent.

Seriously it seemed like if they were just to sneeze or something that disaster would ensue.

It's that precise - or it seems so from the ground

Brian took this cool picture.

It's one of my favorites of all time.

Good job, honey.

So incredible.

These guys did not disappoint.

I highly recommend seeing them in action if you ever get the chance.

and just like that...we have a middle schooler

I knew the day would come sooner than I thought it should.

I knew it would be exciting yet sad at the same time.

I knew that, for him, it would only be exciting.

He has graduated from elementary school.

He is a middle schooler now.

Grandma and Grandpa came for the graduation ceremony.

And it won't be long before he will be looking down at me.

Someone please give me my baby boy back!

Love him.

He preferred no pictures.

No such luck.

The very last day of elementary school.

(A long time coming, too, since we didn't get out until June 6th!)

Fifth Grade Clap Out.

On the last day of school, right before dismissal, the 5th graders get to parade through our school as the other students, teachers and parents line the halls and clap them out one last time.

It's possible I shed a tear or two.

It's possible that lots of the girls were crying.

It's possible that our guy was only happy about the entire situation.

Don't let him fool you.

He had a great time with great teachers and great friends the past 6 years.

He will miss it.

But he is so ready for middle school.

the real world

Elliott's 5th grade class got to spend the morning at the JA Biztown near us.

It's put on by Junior Achievement, and the kids have been working on this for months.

They applied for the jobs they wanted, learned to balance a checkbook, learned the responsibilities for the jobs they were given, etc.

Elliott spent the morning as the CFO of the news station.

Such an appropriate position for him - working with money, everything is orderly, he gets to be the boss.

Love his bow tie?

Here he is in his "office".

So fun to watch him work!

And I had my own gig. (And so did Brian - at City Hall - but I have no pictures)

I was the adult at Build-a-Bear.  The kids could use the money they earned at their jobs to buy things during their breaks.  So some of them came and stuffed a bear.  All of the bears that were stuffed went to a charity - pretty cool.

Loved this day!

camp adventures

Unexpectedly at the last minute I ended up helping at camp the week that Elliott was there.  He was happy that it was only for half the week and I totally acted like I didn't know him.  But I was able to get some fun pictures while I was there.

The Blob.

My kids' favorite part of camp.

The scene the next morning after the faculty hunt.

It was pouring, so all of the kids' shoes and socks were soaked and muddy and left outside.

Not sure we could fit anymore wet clothes or towels on this line!

Lots of games

Awesome worship times!

Ethan went to camp the next week.

I didn't stay so these are the only pictures I have.

He had lots of friends there, and they had a blast!