Columbia, Here We Come!

Last week was somewhat of a rough week around here. So Scott & I decided since Nate was off school on Friday that we would head out of town for some fun. Somewhere. We weren't sure where, but decided to see if Columbia still had a hotel room available since it was a home game weekend. I think God was shining down on us, because we got one of the last rooms in the city for a much needed getaway. 

We left early Friday morning to get up there in time to do some hiking at Rock Bridge State Park. Here's the crew suiting up. 

Lila riding in the backpack - we joked that Nate rode in there all the time when he was little. But this may be the first real time Lila has been in it. Second children. Who have lots of energy. And are not content riding in something....

We set out on a 1.5 mile hike, but it didn't go exactly how we planned.

But we saw a few flowers...

And had fun just walking around (see? Lila already out of the pack).

We were swarmed by more than a few bugs, which sent Nate into hysterics. Until I pulled the sun shade off of Lila's pack and told him to put it on his head. It was genius. I don't know if it really worked, but he thought it did, so it was a score.

After we roamed the woods for over an hour, we were not able to find what we were looking for...so we turned around and headed back out the way we came (the trail was supposed to be a loop). I mean, who wants to be lost in a bug infested woods with a 2 year old. Um. Not me. So we hiked back out and found the boardwalk. It was much better.

The kids got into better spirits and enjoyed looking at some awesome overhangs and caves.

I think this is when I said give me your best smile. Guess we need to work on that.

The Devil's Icebox. Nate was excited to go down there, but then quickly realized there were bats. We didn't see any but we knew they were there.

We didn't have a flashlight, so we just went in the opening.

Looking up from the cave...

It was nice and cool down there and since we are having an Indian Summer (thankfully!), it felt good.

Photo courtesy of Nate.

We had a great time hiking and I'm glad my family enjoys doing this. It is certainly a good way to wear your kids out:)

After we checked into the hotel, went swimming and cleaned up, we headed out to dinner with Kurt, Reid, Tasha and Jackie at Flat Branch. Lots of fun and I'm so glad everyone was available at the last minute. Jackie, Tasha and I even got to catch up after dinner (without kids!), which was certainly very good for my soul. Hard to believe we've known each other for almost 20 years - good friends are such a blessing.

On Saturday morning, after swimming and a trip to Burger King's massive indoor playground (which was right across from our hotel), we headed to campus for a little Mizzou-rah! I love this picture where Nate is standing so obedient and Lila's looking on as if she's saying "Did you say something Mom?"

My little Tigers! My heart beats a little faster when I'm walking on campus. Weird how a place can do that to you:)

Trying for a picture...

Pretty good...2/3 sort of looking at the camera!

Nate loves a picture nowadays. And I'm glad to take it - he's so handsome:)

Sweet girl, who sometimes will pose for a picture!

Speakers Circle - I explained to them that they could talk about anything they wanted there. I saw many a speech there back in the day!

It was a great weekend and much needed. I feel a little more ready to start the week:)

Tiny Weekend Recap

We had a relaxing weekend around the house. Played outside, watched some football (and baseball), tried not to get eaten by Truman, and enjoyed our street finally being open! I didn't take too many pictures, but for the grandparents, I felt I had to post something today:) 

Happy Monday!

Hiking at Castlewood

Scott ran the Tough Mudder on Saturday, so I decided to take the kids hiking at a nearby State Park. It was the first time we'd been there and I'm not honestly not sure why. It was beautiful and the weather was gorgeous and gave us a small taste of Fall. Both kids were excited about the adventure. 

I couldn't help but think as we were walking that I was really getting back to my roots. My parents took us on a bajillion hikes when I was a kid. It's a comfortable, familiar feeling to be out in the woods, even though I didn't typically like it back then. Or I just liked to be difficult. I know that's hard for y'all to believe now.

I enjoyed the hike so much. Nate was super enthusiastic about it, almost to the point where I was asking myself was this real?

He would have gone much further if we didn't have Lila in tow.

We first had to get good walking sticks for both kids. Divine intervention that we found them both one within the first 2 minutes of the hike so that I didn't have to listen to cries of unfairness that one had one and the other didn't.

We got to the top of a steep hill and had a snack.

A hill in which I carried Lila all the way up. I don't think I'll need the stair master for a few days.

Nate was pointing out flowers and commenting on what rock formations resembled. This was an alligator.

Lila was singing Rock a Bye Baby, only she was making up her own words. We got many a look from passersby. I apologized for disturbing their peace. Only I wasn't totally sorry.

After we completed our hike, the kids played and played at the playground.

They especially loved the tire swing.

Then we walked over to another little path that led to a creek..

where we all felt at home poking sticks in the water.

We had a picnic lunch, then headed back to the city. Castlewood is on the grounds of an old resort area where people used to get out of the city in the summers. I was trying to explain this concept to Nate. He had trouble figuring out why people would come all the way out there to get cool, when they could just go inside in the air conditioning.

Blank stare when I said they probably didn't have air conditioning.

Random 10

1. I think I'm making my own rule about white after Labor Day this year. I think if it's 98 degrees on September 10th that I will continue to wear my favorite white shorts until it is, say below 85 degrees. Fair?

2. Kittens bite. And scratch. A lot. I find the need to tell the checker at Target that we have a kitten.

3. Lila still wakes up very early. I thought when we moved our wake-up time up due to Nate's new early school time that we would all just get up at the same time. Nope, she's decided she needs to be the first one up. By at least 30 minutes. And she's more in your face first thing in the morning than my other early riser used to be. Sigh.

4. Nate & I have been reading A-Z Mysteries at night. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about what's going to happen next. Multiple times a day.

5. This house buying business is not for the faint of heart.

6. We might have to implement the snap instead of clap (or yell) rule during football Saturdays. Scott.

7. I have to go to Connecticut this week. I've never been there. New state is always welcomed.

8. "I'm not bossy. I just know what you are supposed to be doing." Was this quote written for me or what? Stole it from JE:)

9. If this street / sidewalk project doesn't get done soon, I'm going to...well, I'm not sure I have any choices about what I'm gonna do. But I can tell you my politeness with the man in the white truck that stops by to give me updates (why me?)(don't answer that) is waning. Would you believe it if I told you that they poured the entire street's sidewalk but left the 4 panels in front of my house dirt????? Lord, have mercy. On the man in the white truck.

10. Poor poor Kitty P. Truman wants to play so bad that he gets a running start and jumps on her. I try to stifle my laughter as she shoots daggers at me. Poor poor Kitty P:)

More Good Reads

I'm a little bit shocked that I've been able to keep up the reading gig. I'd like to say I read a little each day. But I don't. I am the knock a book out when I'm traveling kind of girl. So I thought I would share what's been on my reading list lately. 

I have to admit I was not super excited about this book when my book club picked it. Once again, it didn't seem like something I would choose to read. And once again, I was wrong. I really enjoyed the story. It got off to a slow, sad start for me, but I persevered and ended up being very taken with the story line. It's a long read, but an interesting one. 

Photo credit: Amazon

This next one was by the same author that wrote "Devil in the White City." Which I loved. He's got a very interesting writing style, alternating between 2 stories about real life events. The wording is heavy in places and I don't consider it a light read, but I would recommend it - especially if you like history. Which I do.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Oh my word. First let me say I'm not finished with this book yet. I just started it. But I don't want to put it down! I was waiting on dinner to be finished up one night when I decided to just read the first couple pages to see if I was going to like it. Well let's just say, Nate had to come remind me it was dinner time! I think I'm gonna love it. And it's written about a town in way SE Missouri so the town names are familiar. I never thought I'd be reading about Hayti in a novel:)

Photo Credit: Amazon

All reviews are my own and not solicited. 

A Case of the 2's

Oh my. This little one has been more of a spitfire than usual lately. I admit I haven't feel the stress of her being 2 years old like I did with Nate. She's typically very easy going, as long as it's going her way:) No really, she's pretty much go with the flow and in general very happy to just live life. 

So a few weeks ago, I realized I was having to do some work on her behavior. And after getting over being slightly exhausted by this new activity for my schedule, I told myself that at least she waited until 2 years 9 months. Almost out of her 2's. I can make it.

Of course, her 3's will probably be worse. If this fang picture is any sign of things to come...

But we'll keep loving on her, even when she's got a case of the 2's. Because she's so cute and sweet when she wants to be:)

Street Construction

If you've been around me in the last couple months for more than 2.5 minutes, you've heard me complain about the repaving of our street:) This process started in mid-July with the cutting down of three very old trees in our front yard view (1 was on our lot, and 2 were on the lot next door). It was a disaster. And we were sad. And mad that we were losing the tree. I called the city 3 times in 24 hours. The branches from our tree were all the way up to our house and stayed there overnight. And then they broke one of the railroad ties from our retaining wall. And then the sight of them was just more than I could bear. I'm pretty sure they blocked my number down at city hall. 

So fast forward almost 6 weeks and here is where we are today...new road as of last week, but sidewalks are now busted up, waiting for a new pour. 

It feels like a war zone. It's fun trekking the kids over mounds of dirt. That you know is being trekked right into your house. I used to have a rule that we took our shoes off at the front door (their spouses will thank me one day:)). Now, they both can be seen sitting down on the porch to take them off before going in.

See my van across the street over there? Yes, that's where I've had to park for too many days to count. Trying to get children, let alone groceries, from all the way over there has been a chore. Neighbor next door tries to park in his driveway now and get out before the worker men get here in the morning. That's too much stress for me. Considering I work at home.

So as we speak, they are out there pouring the sidewalks. At least I hope they are. We are so ready for this to be done and I feel sorry for the people that are one street over who are next! All I have to say is that this new road and new sidewalks better help sell our house! We've certainly put in our time:)

Peach Mafia Dinner

The Florida Peach family visited the Missouri Peach family this weekend and we were so happy to see them! Amy & Jason threw a mafia-style dinner party which was so yummy! I took a few pictures on my phone so we would have some evidence of the festivities. 

Jane, Steve and Cindi (Jason & Robert's mom, Amy's parents)

The kids played and had a great time - my kids never want to leave the Peach house:)

Maisie, Megan, Lila, Nate & Avery (missing Jack!)

Scott and one half of the Peach twins...

The twins & Scott...so happy that they all still keep this friendship going.

Dinner was fabulous and the weather was perfect to sit outside. Amy & Jason always out-do themselves when feeding a crowd!

Jason doesn't always communicate everything so I was surprised and excited to see Christos show up! It was great to catch up with him.

Thanks Peach fam for a wonderful dinner!