Ten on Wednesday

1. Well we are back from our travels, after a week driving around the great state of Missouri. Our first stop was Illinios at my friend Michelle's house. She played host to us Wednesday and Thursday night. She has a big finished basement that we made into our own suit. Zane was ecstatic to see his old pal Jamey and Rowan quickly becaume best friends once again with Ruthie. Here are Zane and Jamey rocking out in the basement. Yes, their house came complete with a disco ball perfect for rocking and dance parties.

2. Michelle and I use to go to the St. Louis zoo about once a week when I lived there. Now neither of us have zoo trips very often. So we were all extremely excited about a day at the zoo Thursday. However, it being my life, we drove into a storm on our way into St. Louis and it rained till about three in the afternoon. Devistating all around. We went to the Science Center, which is free, and had a good time. Followed by pizza, but sad we didn't get to go to the zoo with Michelle and her crew.



These two are too much cuteness. They were fast friends. I can't believe they are both so big.

Zane and I use to come to the Science Center all the time when he was little and after his cardiologist visits. When he was little he was terrified of this dinosaur. This visit Rowan was very concerned about the dinosaur that is laying down and "bleeding." Lots of memories from this place. So bitter sweet to be back.

In very surprising news Zane won in the 'calm off' with Jamey. This fun thing read his brain waves and moved the ball towards the person whose brain waves were less calm. I cannot believe Zane won!



These dinosaurs were always Zane's favorite when he was little. We really never came back much after Rowan was born. It's crazy to see how big Zane has gotten since our last visit.



Little Ro and the T-Rex!



3. After pizza Michelle and I went to meet our friend's new twins. Becky is one of my oldest St. Louis friends and has been through a tough road getting to these precious little girls. Hannah and Ellie are both adorable and mommy is doing great as well. I am so glad I was able to stop by and see all of them while I was in town. I hate that my friends there are starting to have kids now and would want to do mommy stuff now that I am gone. I do love seeing them become mother's and hopefully I'm able to give them some helpful mommy advice along the way. Here are Iam with the proud mamma and both girls.

Love me some baby snuggles!



4. Our wonderful hosts made us ice cream sundaes every night, which was an added bonus to the free lodging. The kids had a great time together, as did the grown ups and we said good bye wishing we were closer to one another or were able to stay longer.



5. Friday morning we headed to the zoo, in stupidily humid St. Louis weather. I had almost forgotten how sticky it can be there. The zoo definitely did not disappoint. We saw all our favorites, Hippos, elephants, penguins, polar bears, lions, tigers, sea lions, and lots of things in between. We road the train all the way around and Zane even got to say "All Aboard" on the last leg of our journey. In surprising news Zane opted not to go to the snake house saying, "I know they are there, I remember, and I've seen them all before." Great news to me who wasn't looking forward to the huge snake house on the hill.

 The hippos were surprisingly active when we were there. Rowan loved them and called hem all RoRo the hippo after the stuffed hippo that is his namesake.

 Zane was happy to see the return of the king cobra statue. It had been taken down to be refinished, I guess, the last time we were there. See his cobra face!

 I seriously have this picture, of Zane outside the penguin house, at every age. This is his favorite place. He is never happier than when he is at the St. Louis zoo, specifically freezing in the penguin exhibit. I love seeing him light up when we are there and it is a place so full of memories for us.

 Rowan loved the penguins this exhibit as well. He got his very only, little hoppy that he names Mr. Elephant Penguin!

 One last shot with his penguin friends.



Family shot on the train. Zane has always wanted to get to say All Aboard, at six he was just the right age to do it!

6. After the zoo we headed to West County to see Great Grandma Baker. Never miss an opportunity to see your grandparent's, or parents for that matter. Georgia was good, though looking older and more frail. She was very happy to see the boys and both of them told her stories of there summer adventures, from swimming, to snake hunts. In sad news Georgia fell in the bathroom on Monday and broke her right arm\wrist. They aren't doing surgery due to her age, so hopefully it can heal up alright with a cast. Prayers for Great Grandma Georgia would be greatly appreciated.



The boys were shockingly well behaved during our lunch date. It had to be the Lord, because these two are rarely shockingly well behaved.

7. Then we headed South to Grammie and Papa's farm. First up Rowan faced his greatest fear, Shy Shy the dog. This was Rowan's Everest and I am so proud to say that he has over come his fear completely. He petted Shy first thing out of the car and even posed for pictures. It was a big step and he was very proud of himself as well.



Side note: How cute is Rowan's STL Zoo shirt? It is an adventure shirt, with a snake AND  penguin. On the back there is a monkey and a lizard. So adorable, terribly over priced, but Rowan and I both love it. Wish it had come in Zane's size.



8. Papa and Uncle JR have the most fun toys. First up the big rig, complete with the air horn. I'm sure the neighbors loved us.



 9. Rowan has been dying to get on another horse and Aunt Trina just so happens to have three! Adeline showed Rowan how to brush them and get them ready to ride. He loved his horsey, whose name escapes me. He gave him pats and brushed his hair.

 The only thing better than a horse ride is a horse ride with Papa!

 Zane got to ride the big horse this time. Don't ask me what that face is. He has to always pose for pictures these days.



10. The other big news was that Zane caught his first catfish. After years of blue gill, this was big news. He was very excited and slightly sad we couldn't eat it.









We had a great visit and loved getting to see everyone. I cannot believe that I have a teenage nephew. This is Clay, he turned thirteen in May. He is almost as tall as I am and I am afraid will have passed me by the next time I see him. He is such a sweet kid and so great with both my boys. I loved getting to catch up with all of them.

Papa has other fun toys as well including an excavator and a track loader. Rowan is into all things constructions so he was in hog heaven. Oh and there are toy CAT machines everywhere. Needless to say Rowan had a great time at Papa's house.

 Lastly, you have to have a group shot. Here are Grammie and Papa with all their Grandkids.

 Cousin pictures are my favorite. They are so much easier when there isn't a baby to hold.

 And then we faced the ten hour drive home all in one day. Rowan doesn't ever watch movies, he just isn't interested in them. He would rather talk continually for ten hours. He napped for maybe an hour and a half, but beyond that it was pure jabber and a constant stream of "Mommy, mommy, mommy." At one point we stopped at a quick shop that happened to have Melissa and Doug toys, this is a genius idea for anyone who owns a quick shop. I frantically got sticker pads and these cool new horse toys to try to keep our kids entertained. We made it home in good time and had lots of laughs thanks to Rowan's random stream of thought! Now we are back home and back to work. Trying to get our house and lives pulled back together. It remains blazing hot in OK so we are a little stir crazy.