Florida 2013

We had a fantastic vacation in mid August. True to form, we left our house at 8p (had a very uneventful drive since the boys slept) and arrived in Florida by 9a on a Saturday. We enjoyed 7 days of wonderful weather, good food and great company. We logged many hours at the pool, though different from last year, the boys actually loved the beach. They aren't necessarily ocean swimmers, but they do love to hunt for shells and wade in the waves. My plan to "disconnect" from my iPhone backfired a bit - I have zero beach photos to show! There's always next year, right?!

Like a good neighbor.....

Yes, we do have State Farm, but that's not what I was going for. We spend at least one week night playing with the neighbors. The latest escapades included dirt. That's it: DIRT. And look how much fun they had!

Chuck E. Cheese

Luke turned 4 in July! His party was at Chuck E. Cheese, and although the place is a germ infested mega house for rug rats, the pizza was good (I might have had four or five pieces!), the cake was included, the entertainment was a hit and the games were the best thing since sliced bread for the kids. IT WAS GREAT!!! Carrie, I might have to steal this one from ya...a Nate Ross boy WILL have a party there in the next few years. :)

Brady's 3 Year Stats

As guessed, Brady is in the 100th percentile for both height and weight. He's nearly cubed - 43 lbs and 41 in. He grew 4.5 inches this last year! Let's just say he's LIVIN' LARGE.

Road Trip: FARM

The boys and I spent four days at the farm sans Nate. (He was supposed to come with us but ended up needing to be at a continuing education conference.) I was super lazy and enjoyed a lot of down time, while Papa Mo and Baba got a run for their money - they entertained the boys and spoiled them rotten! After days of playing outside, riding tractors and four wheelers, running through the sprinkler, Icee eating and cartoon watching, we decided to head back to St. Louis, but not before Carson tears and begging for a return trip. Mark your calendar, Mo & Baba, we'll be back in a few weeks!

Saturday Mornings

What do you think they are talking about?! :)

Our Champ

My dad asked if Carson was the MVP of the season. Umm, no - it's training ball - everyone gets a trophy, Papa Mo!

Jessie James

We took a "field trip" on Saturday and headed to Meramec Caverns. Gma, Gpa and Uncle Lynn joined us, and while Gma watched the boys, Nate, Gpa, Lynn and I zip lined. It was so much fun! We ended the adventure with a cave tour, ice cream and wading in the river.

July 4th

Explaining to the boys that the 4th of July was America's birthday lent itself to numerous cheers and questions on the whereabouts of "his" birthday cake. :) We spent most of the day at home putsing before heading to Gma's for a BBQ and pool party. We ended the night with St. Albans fireworks. Yay, USA and all the freedoms you provide!

Monsters University

I took the boys to see their first "theater" movie. It seemed long over due but waiting this long meant the boys stayed in their seats for all two hours of the show. I may have bribed them with soda, popcorn, Twizzlers, gummies and Mike N Ike's, but it was well worth it. (We ate all this crap at 10a!)

Disney Pixar & AMC, we are under your spell!

Summertime

See it?! Carson is pitching Nate a tennis ball. I see lots of this in my future. :)

The Windy City

I was in Chicago for work from Monday through Thursday of this past week. While the experiential recruitment program was beyond awesome, I missed my boys dearly. That said, Nate and I have been in serious need of quality time, so instead of heading home Thursday night, he joined me for a few days of fun in Chicago. We ate at a South Loop neighborhood restaurant on Thursday night, and after pasta, two bottles of wine and dessert (compliments of the owner), we slept for an uninterrupted 9 hours. Whoo! On Friday, we walked through the Museum Campus and to Shedd Aquarium. I think we said, "The boys would love this!" at least a dozen times while seeing it all. After a run home in the rain and a power nap, we met great friends for dinner. Four hours later, more than tipsy and fat-man-full, we made it back to the hotel. Saturday morning consisted of Tylenol, water and a fantastic breakfast at the City Tavern on Michigan Avenue.

What a whirlwind!? It was fun, though I'm happy to be back to my routine.

Home Is Where The Heart Is

After having been gone for 6 days, waking up on Sunday morning with these boys was so wonderful!