saint louis

We went on a quick trip to St. Louis for my dad’s birthday. We were there for less than 48 hours. It was A fun-filled trip filled with visits to all our favorite restaurants – Dominics, Ragazzis, and Mortons. Our family visits are usually focused around the meals. Of course this trip didn’t disappoint.

We walked most everywhere and the weather agreed with us!

Saturday morning we got up quite early and headed over to visit Madison. She has only been on campus for 3 days, but she looks quite settled in. She showed us around and seems the perfect mix of nervous and excited. Her school is located right in the heart of downtown St. Louis and the campus is beautiful.

We left campus and met the rest of my family at the zoo. We watched the sea lion show and took a quick ride on the train.

We spent the rest of the afternoon splashing around in my dad and Melissa’s backyard. We had a lovely time and hope my dad had a great birthday weekend!

st louis

We went for a super quick trip to St. Louis. In August. August, friends. The love for my family can never be doubted. We flew in Saturday morning. Flew home Sunday afternoon. Total stay about 30 hours and worth every minute. Even if it was August in St. Louis.

First stop: lunch at Rigazzi’s. St. Louis style pizza and fishbowls. Life is good, good, good.

The oldest cousins, Madison and Annabelle. Madison showed Annabelle pictures of her boyfriend on her phone and Annabelle thinks she is just the coolest.

Annabelle and Auntie Becky

So much love for Auntie Becky and Lily

Obligatory silly face

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing games. I was undefeated at Guess Who so they decided to play with out me. Sore losers!

We spent our evening at the Cardinals Game. We got to enjoy a suite with lots of food, drinks, and the dessert cart. It’s certainly not a bad way to watch a baseball game. And oh yeah, air conditioning. I’m so much more agreeable and pleasant to be around with air conditioning.

The legendary dessert cart. It’s pretty fantastic.

The girls have been very patient and have always wanted a Fred Bird from the Build a Bear at Busch Stadium. They were so thankful and so very happy!

Gwyneth named hers Freddy and Annabelle named hers Ferris Bueller. Fab names.

Becky’s family left earlier the next day but we had time to grab a quick lunch with them.

Packing up and heading out:

Strawberry Margaritas…a little throw back to our Mexico trip.

After lunch we took a brewery tour. In all the years I lived in St. Louis I had never been so this was a fun, first for me.

Fast trip, but as always lots of fun!

arch

Today was our last day in St Louis and everyone was quite sad to say goodbye. I didn’t see Gwyneth Grace much this weekend as she stayed close to Eliana and even slept in her hotel room with her. I had a fabulous Maeva filled weekend as her and Annabelle are inseparable as well.

I adore all my nieces and I love being able to visit with them.

We had brunch/lunch all together and then went to visit the arch. Unfortunately our flight left earlier than everyone else’s so we couldn’t join them for the ride to the top of the Arch, but it was well worth the trip and to watch the movie of how the Arch was built. If I’m not mistaken this is the same video I watched every single year on field trips when I was growing up. Oh, the St. Louis memories….

The mustache crew:

Birthday presents from the cousins

The girls at the Arch:

How sweet is this baby????

Our flight left right on time and we were all set to arrive home when we hit weather trouble. Lots and lots of weather trouble. Our flight was diverted to Colorado Springs where we waited…and waited…and waited….and then waited some more. Finally they gave us an opportunity to get off the plane and look for a ride home. At this point it was late and our closest ride option was 1 1/2 hours away. So, we tried to find a shuttle….all sold out. So, we tried to find a rental car….all sold out. So, we hopped in a cab! Our friendly cabbie took us from the airport in Colorado Springs to the airport in Denver to get our cars and we finally made it home some time around midnight. Phew!!! B’s big luncheon is tomorrow and he would not have graduated if we didn’t make it home. Nothing like cutting it close…