August 2009

Although it is coming to an end, this summer has truly been amazing. I am so in love with my family I can't stand it.

Photo for this month's masthead was taken by a very dear friend's 15 yr old cousin while visiting with them in Florida. She is super talented if you ask me... I have a bunch of really amazing photos from last week. Some I took, some she took. Maybe I'll get to that on Monday!

mg

An appology to my brother

I wrote last week that posting would be light. Then I went ahead and scheduled a few posts to make myself feel better. It was like I was there all long. Little did I know last week that this week would find me even busier. So now my blog has suffered and so have you dear readers. I know you miss me! I miss you!

Anywho, let me start with an apology. I deleted a comment made by my own brother last week on this post. I didn't do it out of spite or dislike... totally the opposite... He had told my secret. I wasn't just busy last week. We were out of town. In Florida to be exact (more on this later...).

Over the (almost) 4 years this blog has been around, (omg has it really been that long?!?) I have taken certain measures to make sure my family is protected. I use our first names, but have never used a last name of ANYONE I have blogged about. I also have protected our address and specific location. I don't know if you have noticed, but I have not posted a photo of the exterior of our new home, or given any physical landmarks by which to identify it. I do not blog about employers or schools or daycares or babysitters. All things I do to keep my family safe. I also know that I could do more. Some people don't show thier children's faces, or use their full or real names. But I want this to be about our family. It is my record so I share as much as I am comfortable.

With that being said, there still might be a creep out there who has figured out something about our lives, and if they knew we were out of town might take that time to steal our stuff. How likely is that? Not very. Am I going to take the chance? No way.

So I apologize to my brother. Your comment was appreciated. Sorry I deleted it. I still love you.

Once I have dug out from under all my laundry I will post the highlights from our trip. We hung out at the pool, built sand castles on the beach and attended a beautiful beach wedding. It was a fantastic trip. So much so, I cried on the flight home b/c I wasn't really ready to come back.

I leave you with a sneak peek. I want to cry just looking at this photo. (I blame that on the hypnotic effect of the ocean and third trimester hormones...)


mg

Grant's Farm

As if going to the transportation museum hadn't filled our quota of STL tourist attractions we also spent a day at Grant's Farm with Maw Maw and Paw Paw.

Even though it is pretty close to home this was Madeline's first trip to Grant's Farm. I hadn't been there in at least 3 years and Kevin hadn't been in he thinks is at least 10. When you don't have kids to take there isn't really any reason to go. (Well there is the free samples of Anheuser-Busch products, but that isn't really our thing, you know?)

We saw a TON of animals in the deer park including European Red Deer with huge (three foot) antlers and American Bison. They were all pretty close to the road too, so Madeline got a huge kick out of that.

Madeline, riding the tram through the deer park.

Then we fed the goats. We stayed on the outside of their pen because those suckers are aggressive! Although her face is a little mis-leading in this photo Madeline thought feeding goats a baby bottle was one of the coolest things ever!

Those goats slurped that milk down in no time flat!

Then it was off to the carousel, which is new to the Farm. Madeline has been on the one at the Zoo but never tires of riding around in circles.

Just look at that happy face!

Thank you Maw Maw and Paw Paw for a wonderful day out!

mg

Transportation

I grew up in St. Louis. It wasn't until last week that I was told that I am slacking in my STL tourism duties by having NEVER visited the museum of transportation.

Granny and Poppy took Madeline and I for a visit. It was a pretty cool place it turns out.



Madeline's favorite was the train. Mainly b/c it moves and that is just plain exciting.

mg

tube socks

Madeline with a pair of Kev's socks. If you remember we promised never to put our child in tube socks. To be fair, she did this to herself.

Slim down

This week is going to be super busy for us. All good stuff, promise. But that means that posting will be sparse. Just a warning. I have set a couple of drafts to auto post, but if those don't work I should be back full force with a lot to talk about come Monday!

mg

4th of July

Weeks later....

but here none the less. I am doing a bit of catch up and honestly there just hasn't been much going on around here.

Although rain delayed we took in the fourth of July parade. Kevin and Madeline spent most of their time under the umbrella or...




in the back of our Sister in law to be's car. Madeline found at least 30 minutes worth of entertainment out of the bungie cords in the back of the SUV. She hung them from a hook on the tailgate and made snakes out of them. Oh to be young and so easily entertained!

mg