Eoin Colfer - Author of Artemis Fowl

Yesterday Emily and I went to an author event at the St. Louis County Library.  They were featuring Eoin Colfer the author of the Artemis Fowl books. It was a very fun presentation and I had fun being introduced to a series that I think I would enjoy reading and that Emily already enjoys.  I also got to have fun spending time with my sister and getting to know her a little bit better.

After the presentation we got her book Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian signed.  We were able to snap a quick picture of Mr. Colfer while he signed her book. Thanks Emily for finding something fun for us to do during your visit!

Botanical Gardens

On the last day of Grandma Mary's visit we went to the botanical gardens.  They are having a Chinese lantern festival, and although we didn't see the lanterns lit we were able to see their unique and beautiful artwork. Here's a collage of many of the displays:

Here are some pictures of us enjoying our visit . . . Grandma Mary & Owen riding a sheep statue:

 Me (Jennie) and the kiddos:

MayLynn likes being with her Daddy:

 Family picture Photo-Op:

 Emily posing for an picture

Owen, Bryce, MayLynn, Jennie & Grandma Mary Leaving the Gardens

We enjoyed visiting the gardens, we enjoyed Grandma Mary's visit, and we enjoyed the time outside enjoying the many beauties of nature and art.  Summer time is awesome.

The St. Louis Gateway Arch

This past Tuesday (July 10) we took Grandma Mary and Emily downtown to see the Gateway Arch.  The arch is on the west side of the Mississippi River and was finished in 1965.  It is 630 feet tall, has a visitor's center and museum underneath it, and a tram built inside to carry visitors up to a viewing area inside the very top.  The arch was built to commemorate the Lewis & Clark expedition that left from  St. Louis in 1804 to explore and map a route to the Pacific Ocean.  This expedition is part of the reason why St. Louis is considered the "Gateway to the West."  Here is an amazing picture of the Arch that Emily took:

 Here is the group of us heading back to the car after our visit:

 Our gorgeous photographer:

 Owen playing hide & seek behind the trees:

Family Trip to the Zoo

My Grandma Mary is visiting this week and so to make the most of the visit we all went to the zoo yesterday.  I handed Emily the camera and told her to have fun taking pictures, so here are a few that stood out from the rest:

Owen had fun going face-to-face with a Puffin

 Grandma & I were checking out the Gorillas

 Owen doesn't quite melt in the heat & humidity, but sometimes it looks like it :)

 Bryce got to come with us on this trip too

 MayLynn got to get out of the stroller and air off while we waited for the Sea Lion show

 MayLynn likes going to the zoo with her family

 Owen Loves his Aunt Emily . . .

 . . .  and his little sister

 Grandma Mary got her turn holding MayLynn too

 We had a nice visit at the zoo and we left smiling as much as when we came

And what would be a trip to the zoo without pictures of the animals?  

 Emily found quite a few of them that were up ready for a photo-op.

4th of July Memories

Growing Up . . . .

Riding with the top down

Fry Bread with Honey

Kabobs & Cotton Candy

Baseball Tournaments

Marching with the band

Family & Food

Melodramas & Popcorn

Watermelon & Horseshoes

Fireworks at Recapture Reservoir

With Bryce & Our Family . . . .

Meeting the Family at Grandma Connie's House

Homemade Ice Cream

Family Reunions

Tech Rehearsals

Fireworks from the Roof of the Student Center

Parades & Water Fights

Potluck & Water Balloon Volleyball

Fireworks with Friends & Family