Eventful, To Say the Least

The week of July 20-24 was quite eventful. Actually, the events started on July 18th, when Emily, Ben, Bluet & Ilona were flying to Missouri from Zurich. Their plane took a detour to London for a few hours, so they missed their connection to St. Louis in Newark. This meant I was all by myself for a night because Scott & the kids left for Georgia the same day. 

I enjoyed my peaceful night, and would have enjoyed it a little more if I'd known what Sunday would bring. Truman was missing the kids...

I woke up bright and early on Sunday, the 19th, and headed to the airport to get the Corse-Collins people. But before I could get there, I got a call that Hamil, Sarah and Thane had been camping on Saturday night and Hamil got bit by a copperhead. Um. So many questions (he's fine now, you can keep reading). Since my kids and Scott were in Georgia, I was available to go wherever. And go wherever I did. To Ste. Genevieve, back to St. Louis, down to Charleston, over to Poplar Bluff where he was in the hospital, twice, and back to St. Louis. In 48 hours.

It was a scary ordeal for all of them, especially Hamil. But after 2 days of pain  / swelling management and making sure there were strong "pulses" in his foot (the doctor was Indian and he for sure said pulses), my mom and I busted him out of the hospital.

Now, the nurses at Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital? They were way haaaapppppyyyyy to see me go. I have the gift to be annoying when I need to be? Or maybe all the time. Who's to say.

I'm happy to report he is doing great now and his inner strength is to be admired. If you know him, you'll be happy to know his commentary through all this was the best I've ever heard. Down right hilarious.

Hamil is so special to me and I am very thankful I was able to be there for him and his family. But, I'll just say THIS IS WHY I CAMP AT THE HILTON.

The rest of the week, I had a hard time focusing on all the things I had planned while my kids were gone. Scott got home on Tuesday, and I spent most of the week thinking about what was really important in life. The kids had a great time at Mimi & Paka's and we really appreciate both of them plus Aunt Amanda loving on them all week. They look so forward to this week every year!

Scott & I did manage to go to a baseball game together while they were gone - Cardinals / Braves. Cardinals won. Enough said.

Water Polo & Last Swim Meet

Sorry, blog, I've neglected you. We are in full summer mode around here. Allow me to catch up. 

During the week of July 13-17, Nate did a water polo camp in the mornings. This meant that he would go to swim team from 8:15-9:15, then go straight to water polo (at the same pool) until 12:00. Truthfully, I'm surprised he even allowed me to sign him up. Truthfully, I'm shocked that he loved it. He is not really into team sports but by the end of the week, he was asking to be goalie. We are very proud of him for trying something new and keeping an open mind. Not to mention powering through 4 hours of being in the water, while it was at least 110 heat index most of the week. Not one complaint! (except when his mother made him wear sunscreen)

We had the pleasure of taking one of Nate's friends C., to swim team every day this summer. My kids absolutely loved when C's mom dropped her off in the mornings. They would get ready early and go sit on the porch to wait for her. Win win! So after the last day of swim practice / last meet, we went to celebrate with C and her mom at Dairy Queen. Why does he look 15??

Including the little sister...which is very hard for Nate to do.

It was an awesome swim team summer and we're all looking forward to joining a new year-round team this fall!

Life Lately

I don't have many pictures from last week because, well, we had a monsoon every day. So we couldn't go to the pool, or even outside. It was a little trying on the nerves:) But we survived. 

One day, in between rain showers, we went on a bike ride since the temperature was cooler. What a difference between last summer and this summer on the bikes - it's actually fairly enjoyable to walk behind while they are riding. 

This one. He sheds white hair all over my house, he bites me, he bothers my old cat, he gets on the counter, he wakes me up at 5:30 AM, and he thinks he needs a bite of whatever we have to eat. But we love him very much and are not sure what we ever did without him. I told the kids Truman is a good lesson for us. We love him unconditionally, no matter what.

This week, Nate is in a water polo camp. I have been so proud of him. He goes to swim team for an hour and then goes to camp for 3 hours. All in the water, either swimming or treading water. And he hasn't complained one time. He normally doesn't really care for team sports but he has kept an open mind and enjoyed water polo! He's in the blue shirt and blue helmet. The helmets are priceless. Truly.

Buddy Holly was playing at the Muny this week and as soon as we got our season tickets, I knew that I would give them to my parents for this show. My Dad loves Buddy Holly and even sends my sister and I an email every February 3rd reminding us that it is "the day the music died" (for those of you that don't know, that's the day Buddy died at 22 years old in a plane crash).

Since Scott & I got rained out for My Fair Lady a few weeks ago, we scored 2 more tickets to Buddy Holly so the 4 of us went! We ate at the BoatHouse before and had the best time. I'm so thankful for my parents. I do not take it for granted that Scott & I both have such fantastically supportive and involved parents. It's truly such an amazing blessing to us and our children.

July 16th is a full circle day for me. It represents birth, marriage and death. It makes me reflect on how the little moments in life matter and each day is a gift. Make it a great one today!

July 4th: Then & Now

We had a most relaxing July 4th weekend. Scott was off work, so we grilled out every night, went to the pool in the afternoons, and had lots of good rest time. On Saturday, we went over to Forest Park for the annual VP Parade. The parade is usually downtown, but last year and this year, it was in Forest Park. The Arch is under construction, so it's been temporarily relocated. I really really hope they move it back downtown next year! 

We were super smart and used our Zoo membership to park for free in their lot. Then we made the short walk to our watching spot. It's probably one of the only times our parking plan worked to perfection! 

Before posting pictures of our day, I wanted to reach back a little bit. We've been to the parade every year since we moved to St. Louis (starting in 2008, we moved right after July 4th in 2007). Lila and I didn't go last year, but Nate & Scott still represented. I decided to pull the pictures of each of the kid's first year at the parade. 

Waiting for the train to go to the parade in 2008. It's hard to imagine that Nate fit in that backpack. 

I mean. I can't even. Where did the time go??

Lila's first parade in 2011. I do love me some patriotic wear. And all I remember about this year was that she was broken out SO bad. I'm glad the eczema days are behind us for the most part.

And finally this year, 2015. Nate was not.into.the.pictures. He is so my child though. My parents have a few, or a thousand pictures of me like this when I was younger.

Lila was trying really hard to make him smile. It only worked slightly.

She was trying to smile for both of them:)

I love red white & blue!

We were positioned at the end of the parade route, so the kids & Scott played cards while waiting.

We had a little bit of shade under this tree, which was nice. Yes, Nate's flag is in his mouth. There's always an imaginary saga going on with him. It keeps him entertained though, so I'm not complaining.

Lila was very into the parade this year and wanted to go right down by the road when the big floats passed. She also elbowed her way in there with the other kids and got plenty of candy, beads, balls, etc...whatever they were giving away. She is not afraid to speak up for what she wants and this takes me out of my comfort zone!

My favorite parade entry is always the giant Schnucks shopping cart!

We were right by the Boathouse, so we left the parade a little early and snagged a table there for lunch. I felt like we were getting away with something because when we left, it was on its way to being very packed.

No personality. None at all.

We hope you had a wonderful holiday!

Summer Loves

A few months ago, I decided I wanted to get on the train that involves wearing a band on your wrist to track steps, activities, calories, etc...so I told Scott that is what I wanted for my birthday. He very much appreciates not so subtle hints. Really, he does.

He chose the vivo fit 2 and granted I've only had a few days, but I already love it. I find it so fun to look at all my stats throughout the day! It even beeps at you if you haven't moved in a while. I think I will like that sometimes and sometimes not. Didn't like it so much when I laid down on the couch yesterday for 10 minutes because I felt like we'd run a marathon for the previously 7 days while Scott was working overnights. They are hard on all of us!

Photo Credit: Best Buy

I read about these t-shirts on a blog I frequent and I ordered one because apparently I wear my t-shirts out in the summer. Because last year's shirts are almost in threads. Well, I've already ordered a second one. They are Halogen Relaxed Slub Tees and you can find them at Nordstrom or here. 

Photo credit: Nordstrom

I love a history book. Especially about a woman. My mom gave me this book for my birthday and I can't put it down. I haven't read many accounts of the Civil War strictly from the Confederate side and it's very interesting. Especially since Mrs. Varina Davis didn't really agree with all her husband's politics. 

Photo credit: Amazon

June Birthdays

June is another month that has a cluster of birthdays for our family. Our nephews, Noah, Levi and Thane all have birthdays in June! We sadly had to wish Noah & Levi a Happy Birthday from afar but are so thankful for both of them and look forward to seeing all that they will accomplish in this next year! 

We did get to go south and celebrate with Thane's 3rd birthday with him. Before the big party, we went to Mrs. Barbara's to swim. Here we are in the car while Mom went inside the gas station to get me a diet coke. The Motley Crew. 

Thane has a fishing party and it was a hit with all the kids! Nate was actually the only kid that caught a fish and he was very excited!

Lila was all about the birthday party. All about it. Sweet cousins.

Sarah & Hamil always throw fabulous parties. They have the best backdrop for a big party and I absolutely love seeing kids running around the yard. It brings back so many memories of having parties at my Nana & Grandpa's when I was young.

Happy Birthday Noah, Levi & Thane!

Nate the Swimmer

Nate had his first swim meet of the season last week. A thunderstorm erupted right after he swam the butterfly, so we were all a little sad when it got called off. Thankfully, they were able to reschedule it for this Tuesday, so he got to finish all the races. 

He'll probably shoot me for this picture when he gets around to reading the blog in a few years. But I think he's so handsome. And I'm so proud of the swimmer he is becoming. 

Scott & I have been talking to Nate a lot lately about having a competitive nature at the appropriate moments. Competition is a natural part of life and always trying your very best is an important quality to possess in life. For this particular round of races, we told him that we'd like to see him "GET AFTER IT" and swim like someone was chasing him.

I didn't know if he would do it. He's sometimes prefers perfect technique than speed. But by golly, he did it. And it was so exciting to see! We were so very proud of his efforts at swim team.