Magic House

While we were in MO we went to the Magic House with my dad. We had so much fun! The boys loved the HUGE sand castle, playing in the imaginary play centers, watching the ball in the window sculpture, rolling balls in all sorts of mazes, going down the 2 story slide, pretend fishing with magnetic fish, etc... But my favorite part was reliving my childhood and going to the static ball and having a button made of me and Colton with our hair sticking up all over! :) Mom and Dad's company is doing work on more exciting features to the Magic House, so we look forward to visiting again next time we are in town!

My High School Buddies

What fun it is to get together with my high school buddies about once a year. Oh how I wish it were more often! While I was in MO we were able to get together one evening and eat at the Spaghetti Factory in Chesterfield Valley or "the valley" (how trendy did I feel? :)) The table was so cozy and able to fit us all in so we could enjoy great conversation! Thank girls, for always having a listening ear even when we don't talk as often as we would like. The toasted ravioli was fantastic and something I can't find anywhere else! After dinner we headed to a 24 hour Starbucks and I had a yummy carmel apple spice. Now I have a craving, but will make it at home for a fraction of the cost! You all look fantastic for 30 somethings! :) Diane, I missed you! Congratulations on the birth of precious Isaac! I know he is well cared forby Mommy and Daddy and 3 doting sisters! Sharon, I missed you too! When will we ever get together? We only live an hour away! :) Thanks for a fun evening, girls!

"Friends are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them..."

It is innate, I tell you...

For those who know me well, you know how I hate violence of any kind and have tried so hard to keep guns out of our lives... We never even owned a water gun until recently! Well, I have come to the conclusion that it is totally innate for boys to have a fascination with guns. They make them out of sticks, their fingers, legos, etc... There is no stopping them. So, I just have to embrace them for who they are and teach them to protect each other and always think safety first! :) Here we had just finished dressing up for an old fashioned picture in downtown St. Charles, MO! They were so patient getting all dressed up and kept saying, "When are we going to get the guns?" They wanted me to be dressed up like Ma from Little House on the Prairie. Quite fitting I suppose! :)

Thank you God for little boys and the joy they bring to our lives!

A Star is born...

Griffin Rockstar Allen was born on Saturday, July 12, at 6:32 p.m.  at 8.2 lbs. and 21 in. and we are all in love!  He is the 4th (hee hee) cutest baby I have ever seen and is so sweet and happy and content!  God blessed us with 2 extra weeks with him since he was born 2 weeks early.  I was able to be at the hospital when he was born and treasured those 1st moments with him and trying to wrap my brain around that fact that my little sis is now a proud momma of a little boy!  :)  The boys got to visit him in the hospital on Sunday and Monday are are quite smitten, especially Andrew, who wants to hold him bunches.  I have been thoroughly enjoying my role as Auntie Sara with lots of snuggle time with him at the hospital and at their home.  I thank God for allowing us to be here for this special time!  I wish Tom could have been here.  Hope you enjoy the pics, honey!  :)  Cassie and Matt are doing well and Cassie is recovering MUCH faster than me, for that I praise God!

Thanks, Cass, for allowing me to be a part of this amazing experience!  You ROCK!  :)

A good day fishing!

At age 2 Opa takes the boys out to learn how to fish.  Andrew and Braden are already fisherman.  :)  This was a special outing since it was Colton's 1st time!  Andrew got to cast and fish the whole time by himself.  He refused to bait his own hook with worms (I don't blame him!) but he would bait the corn.  Braden had trouble being patient and ended up putting a HUGE knot in his line.  Colton was in awe of the whole experience and jumped right in.  Thankfully Colton caught one!!!  Braden learned how to cast all by himself and caught at least one of his 4 fish all by himself.  We neglected to tell him how to throw a fish back in the water and heaved the poor thing back into the water like a baseball.  After catching his breath and gathering his senses, Opa gave Braden a lesson in how to properly put fish back in the water.  After waiting so patiently, Andrew ended up catching 2 fish all by himself!  Since Opa has a broken ankle, I was trying to be as helpful as possible.  It was truly a challenge to take the boys fishing!  Dad and I had to just stop and crack up at all the craziness that was going on.  At one point we looked over and Colton had sat on the fishing pole that Braden got a knot in.  He had worm guts all over his shorts and was caught in the shorts by the hook.  Another time we looked over and Colon had taken the knotted fishing pole and was "fishing" by slapping into the murky water!  Andrew and Braden each caught a fish all by themselves at the end of the evening!  A great way to end the day.  

So sorry you were in pain with your ankle, Dad, but it sure was great to see you laugh!  The boys loved their good day fishing with you!  Thanks!  :)

Gateway to the West

We had a great visit to the St. Louis Arch!  Gramby, Pa Pa, Aunt Tammy, the boys, and I had a wonderful morning seeing the awesome sights from way high up in the sky!  The ride to the top and back down again is always so fun.  It feels like you are in an egg like Mork from the Mork and Mindy show.  :)  Am I showing my age?  It was a perfect time to go without lines and a beautiful day for a picnic on the lawn!  We liked looking at the New Busch Stadium, being able to see Illinois, seeing a helicopter, and hootin' and hollerin' during the ride up and down!  :)

Fancy meeting you here?

What a wonderful surprise to meet the Jermstads at Ted Drews in St. Louis, MO!  We enjoy our times together in TX and it was so funny to think that the kids probably didn't even realize they were playing together in a different state!  A very yummy frozen custard treat was had by all!  We took over the place with the 7 kiddos and my boys had a lot of spills, but we had a fun time.  It was great to get hugs from our TX friends!  Can't wait to see you guys soon!  :)