Trip to St. Louis

Sunday morning we headed to St. Louis.  We left around 8 a.m. We stopped in Wentzville at a HUGE Flea Market for some bargain hunting.  I got myself and Alex a set of golf clubs and bags for only $5 each!  After shopping, we drove to downtown St. Louis and went to the Arch.  The tram ride to the top is 4 minutes long in a tiny little car that resembles some type of space shuttle.  You definitely cannot be claustrophobic for this ride!  After the Arch, we headed to the hotel for some swimming and supper.  The hotel was absolutely beautiful and had a wonderful supper buffet and breakfast buffet!  After supper, we walked to the Cardinals game.  Our hotel was only a few blocks from the stadium!  The girls all had a great time at the game!  They screamed so much that I was sure they would all have no voice left by today... unfortunately I was wrong!  The Cardinals won the game and we even scored 2 home runs!  The next morning, I drug everyone out of bed at 7 a.m.  After we ate breakfast, we headed out to spend the day at the zoo.  We all had a wonderful time, but I am glad to be home!

This is the tram that takes you to and from the top of the Arch.

This is a view of the Cardinal's Stadium from the top of the Arch.

This is a view of our hotel, The Drury Plaza Hotel, from the Arch.

This is a view of the Mississippi from the Arch.

This is Clara looking out the windows at the top of the Arch.

Sam was surprisingly more scared of the Arch experience than Alex was.

I thought this was really cool, it's a picture from the top of the Arch of it's shadow.

This is the position BJ immediately assumed when we arrived at the hotel.

The kids immediately went to the pool!

I spent my time in the hot tub!

We had a really pretty view of the Arch from the hotel.  It was right at sunset and the arch was so shiny and beautiful.

We had an amazing 2 room suite.  Sam and Clara slept on the pull out couch and Alex was thrilled to have her own bed!

The girls took full advantage of the free popcorn and soda in the hotel lobby!

GO CARDS!!!

This is the view from the cheap seats!

This is a guy that sat in front of us.  Notice his shoulder... Clara cracked open her peanut and the shell went flying and landed on his shoulder!  We laughed so hard!  I just had to post a picture!  He never did notice the peanut shell on his shoulder!

How many monkeys can you see in this picture... I see 3, counting Sam of course!

I think Alex is trying to strike a pose here... keep working on it, Alex!

She may not be great at posing for a picture, but she makes a mean bear!

Sam... the snake charmer!

First Riding Day of the Year!

Today was the first day of this year that the girls got to get out and ride.  Alex got some riding lessons from "Dad" and actually got to ride the pony a little bit by herself.  She really had a good time and did very well!  Sam was upset because the field was too rough to run the horse... she gets bored pretty fast with walking if she's not out on a trail!

This is BJ teaching Alex how to guide the horse using the reins.

She did really well getting him to stop but had some trouble turning him.

She looks like she is enjoying herself!

Sam is a pretty good rider but needs to become more assertive, we will be working on that this summer!

Sam has decided to give the pony to Alex and keep "Pedro," the donkey, for herself.  He isn't broke yet, but we have been working with him and he is doing pretty good.

Spring Pictures

This evening I took the girls out and took some spring pictures of them.

CONGRATULATIONS CLARA!!!

Clara ran a 1:09.84 at her track meet tonight. WAY TO GO!!!

Easter Morning

Yesterday Alex informed me that she knows that the Easter Bunny isn't real, that she "isn't sure" about the Tooth Fairy, and Santa is "just a fat dude with a beard held on by rubber bands."  When the girls got up, they searched for their baskets that BJ had hid for them, then each girl had hid gifts for BJ and I.  A very special thank you to Marion and Stephen for the gifts, we really appreciate them!

This is the basket the 'non-existant" Easter Bunny got for Alex.

Alex found her basket pretty fast so BJ felt bad for Sam and gave her a hint so she could find hers.

Clara got some track pins for a letterman jacket.

Alex got a very cute pencil and pencil sharpener from the VomScheidt's.

The VomScheidt's got Sam a game and some balls for juggling... Clara will have to teach her to juggle!

Here is Clara demonstrating her juggling ability!

Mani,Pedi's and an Easter Egg Hunt

This afternoon we took the mules to get manicures and pedicures... aka, hooves trimmed!  The kids had a good time seeing all of the other horses at the stable.  Alex befriended the barn cat and Clara got to ride one of the horses at the stable.  For supper, BJ's mom came up for supper and an Easter Egg hunt.  Clara hid the eggs for the girls to find, everyone had a fun time.

Clara made friends with this horse that was at the stable for training and she got to ride him.

Alex is ready to find some eggs!

Clara is really good at hiding eggs, it took the girls about half an hour to find them all!

The Coloring Contest Champion!

Congratulations Alex!  Alex entered a local coloring contest at JC Auto Parts and won!  She was so excited.  This morning we went to Orscheln and the kids participated in an Easter Egg Hunt, then we stopped by JC's to pick up Alex's prize.  She won a really cool Easter Basket with a ball, sidewalk chalk, and candy.

Movie Night

BJ, Sam, Clara, Alex , and I went to the movie theatre tonight to see Alice in Wonderland.  I think the kids enjoyed it but I didn't think that it was near as good as what I had expected.  Tomorrow we are off to have the horses feet trimmed... what a fun-filled afternoon!

Mother Daughter Day at the office

Today I took Sam into the office with me.  Our plan was to be at work by 8:30 am but we got sidetracked by yard sales and didn't make it in until 10 am!  Sam helped me get my office all set up then we went scouting for For Sale By Owner homes and passed out business cards.  How much longer  do you think I can get away with this dressing alike before she thinks it's totally lame?