The Big Apple

My mom and I visited Emily in NYC this weekend. As always, we had a fantastic time. We visited some sites as well as shopped til we dropped. Emily took us to a park that just opened called the Highline - it is located in the Meat Packing District and is built on top of an old elevated railroad bridge. It is amazing and the flowers are gorgeous.

Emily & I at the Highline.

Some shots of the beautiful flowers at the Highline.

We went to see Jersey Boys on Broadway and I will use my favorie word to describe the experience - FABULOUS. I loved every minute of it and didn't want it to end. Here we are at Bimbleman's in the Carlyle Hotel before the show.

On Saturday night, we went to the MET and viewed some "art." Not sure I would call it art, but whatever! After wandering around the galleries, we went to the roof for cocktail hour. Mom overlooking the city.

Emily & I on the MET roof.

I was sad to leave Emily and NYC, but was very happy to get home to the boys. We went out for Mexican last night and Nate showed us his new "recipe" AKA rice on tortilla chips. Hey, whatever it takes to get him to eat something.

Nate is getting so big! Too big - he acts more grown up everyday. We had a great time catching up over dinner.

Baby George

I know this picture is small, but I wanted to show you Baby George Griggs - this is before surgery yesterday. The surgery went very well and he will spend the next few days in the PICU getting stronger. If all goes well, the goal is to have him home by next weekend! Amazing, amazing, amazing. Please continue to keep George and the Griggs family in your thoughts and prayers during this critical post-surgery timeframe. The outpouring of support they have received truly speaks to their wonderful family, friends, and friends of friends. Thank you!

Bye Bye Bobby

Wow...I can't believe I'm writing this, but while I was out of town last week, Nate decided that he was going to give up his blanket (aka Bobby). Scott takes all the credit for it, of course, but Nate really made the decision and has stuck to it thus far (going on a week).

For those of you that don't know Bobby (or haven't smelled Bobby for that matter), it is Nate's blanket, his A#1 comfort item since about 6 months of age. The wonderful habit that Nate concocted with Bobby is that he liked to chew it...he was never a pacifier baby, but instead got this fabulous habit with his blanket. Bobby had to be washed every other day or you could smell it coming. Honestly, I think Nate got tired of smelling it and that is what prompted all of this. Regardless, it is tremendous progress...progress towards what I'm not sure!

I was shocked today when I was cleaning up while Nate was napping to find Bobby on the couch. Not in his bed, not a second thought given to this what for so long was a prized posession. Wow, I'm honestly still in shock!

In full disclosure, Nate has another blanket that has always been second fiddle to Bobby, and now it is has become more important to him. But I'm okay with it, because it is a much larger blanket and he doesn't carry it around the house. AND, he told me today that he didn't really need his blanket, but instead just liked to nuzzle it a little bit from time to time.

That's when the sadness set in...my little boy is growing up, like mega growing up. I have wished for the Bobby to be gone many times, but now I'm mourning what seems to be the passing! I won't count too many chickens before they hatch, but I will mark this as an event in Nate's quest for independence.

Typical Weekend

We started off the weekend as a typical summer Friday - Webster Groves pool, nap, Happy Hour at the Zoo. I think it is my favorite kind of day.

Nate by the elephant fountain...

We met our friends, Matt & Laura who have 2 children, Hayden & Sami. Hayden is almost a full year younger than Nate, but is almost taller than him!

Hayden & Nate drinking from the water fountain, looking off in the distance...

at another kid that just spit water on both of them, one at a time...they stood there in disbelief, until Nate decided to tell somebody of course.

Nate & Sami riding in the wagon.

Nate & Scott have done such a great job on the garden. Their first vegatables - tomatoes & green beans.

We met Evan, Olga & Elena at Grant's Farm and had a great time. Elena checking out the goats...

Action shot...Nate gets more adventurous every day.

Awesome weather in STL this weekend, although I can't help but think we are going to pay for it in August. 70 degrees on Saturday and only 75 on Sunday...glorious.

Please keep baby George Griggs in your thoughts and prayers...he will have open heart surgery on Tuesday or Wednesday. Check out http://robbiegriggs.blogspot.com/ for updates.

The Biggest News

I have no pictures of this weekend because Nate was out of town! Amazing how the camera sits idle if the monkey isn't around. But the biggest news of the weekend isn't that it was kid-free, although that was pretty big and we had lots of fun going for a nice dinner, but enough about us, I'm getting off topic...

The biggest news is that Hamil & Sarah got engaged!!!! I cannot begin to put into words how happy I am for both of them. Although I am fighting back tears that the baby boy is old enough to get married, we are so lucky to have Sarah join our family. To my amazing brother Hamil and my fabulous new sister-in-law-to-be Sarah - I love you and Cheers!

4th of July!

We welcomed the Pooleys to our house over the holiday weekend. Fun was had by all, especially me, I talked so much my throat hurt - hope it was all worth listening to! We tried to cram as much as possible in the weekend, our marathon day on Friday was worth it, considering it rained most of Saturday.

On Friday, we headed to Grant's Farm in the morning (along with 1,000 other of our closest St. Louis neighbors). We must be crazy, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Nate & Quinn - best of friends.

Too cute! Last summer, we had to tell them to hold hands, but this year they did it all on their own.

Our cheesy picture next to the Grant's Farm sign.

Scott, Ryan, Quinn & Nate posing next to the camels.

I didn't get any pictures of Audra and not many pictures of baby Sullivan Grace. But I couldn't resist this one of her sleeping in the snuglie. Too cute. She was a trooper.

Chasing each other at the zoo on Friday night. We were definitely super parents that day - it helps that St. Louis kid-friendly establishments know that parents need beer.

My attempt at a Flag Cake. Sadly, it didn't get eaten until July 5th but it was worth the wait.

Scott was the hero on Saturday - we had planned to go to the VP Parade downtown, but we woke up to rain. He helped them make magic wands in the basement. There were definitely a hit and had to be carried everywhere - even to bed.

Pictures of the kid's 4th of July outfits. I think Nate models Kelly's Kids pretty well!

Sisters - Quinn & Sullivan

We decided to take the train to Union Station despite the weather on Saturday. The rain cleared and we were able to see the end of the parade. Feeding the goldfish in front of Union Station - something I used to do often as a kid.

Watching the parade - Quinn covering her ears because the sirens were too loud.

One more photo op - in front of Union Station. Beads courtesy of the parade - also a hit and had to be worn at all times.

My little wizard - the blinking lights on the hat really came in handy while trying to chase him in the dark. Our local park has a get-together to watch the fireworks on the river. We picked up several other shows and were able to meet our fireworks watching quota for the year. It is the first time I've seen fireworks in many years. I never chose to stay up that late!

ALA-CA-ZAM! Casting a spell on me.

Running around at the park in the dark - a scary but fun activity.

We had a fabulous weekend with the Pooleys. We are so thankful that they made the trip to STL so that we could spend time with them and meet baby Sullivan. They are so special to us and our visits always go by so quickly. Thanks for being such great friends - we loved having you in our home and in our new room! Thanks for filling out the comment card :) We miss you already!

Nate's face expresses how we all feel about your departure! See you soon!

Scott the Builder

A big shout out to Scott for a fabulous job on the basement! We are having our first guests this weekend and I am SOOOOOOO excited - for the Pooleys to be here and to have the basement finished! A tour through the room and bathroom is below...and one pic of the wizard we like to call Nate.