Packing it in.

(Thursday 15 - Monday 19 September 2011)

My Parents were going to be flying out to Memphis anyway (for Tim's checkup at St. Jude) so the three of them decided to hop on over to St. Louis for the weekend to come visit us. It was SO wonderful to see them!! We packed in LOTS of fun while they were here...

Doing "cooking shows" with Tim * Bompa & Mémé taking Brie for a ride in their rental car to get Ted Drewe's * Strolling around Forest Park * Getting lunch at Forest Perk Café * Mom & I getting some supplies for Brie's bday party @ Hobby Lobby * Everyone pitching in to make a delicious dinner--the guys grilling * Watching "Standing Firm" * FUN morning at Grant's Farm--Feeding the baby goats, carousel ride, and lunch * Dad & Mom treating us to Texas Roadhouse and Ted Drewe's * Playing games with Tim & Bry * Uncle Tim helping out and playing with Brie * Mémé doting over her little Alexander * Doing a dessert competition--Girls winning :0) * The kids swimming at the Hampton Inn with Bompa & Mémé * Mom & I checking out my neighbor's homemade jewelry *

We sure love you guys. Thank you for such a delightful visit!
We can't wait to see you at Christmastime.

Weathering a Rainy Day.

(Friday, 9 September 2011)

For the last few months I've tried to take part in the unofficial Mothers' "Walking Group" here at the complex...to get outside and get some fresh air, chat with the girls, get some exercise and to give Brie a chance to see her friends. (Sometime I'll have to devote a post to us herd of mothers parading down the street ;0)) In any case, a few weeks ago it was looking stormy, but I decided to bundle the kids up and brave the rain. There were a few other moms with the same idea, but within a few minutes it was downpouring so we all decided to head home. Brie and I were DRENCHED by the time we got to our door! I was kind of bummed that we had gotten rained out, but I decided it'd be a perfect jammie day :0) Alex and Brie had their first bath together, got all snuggly in their footed jammies and we had herbal tea and muffins. I sure love those two little sidekicks of mine.

Picnic on Parade.

First thing on Labor Day we decided to beat/miss the crowds and have a quiet little picnic breakfast overlooking the beautiful Grand Basin. (We packed up the leftover "sugar" cereal we had (from a Kids' Cartoon Date we had done the previous weekend), some styrofoam bowls, plastic spoons and some milk.) It was a simple breakfast, but so pleasant to be picnicking with our little fam on such a beautiful morning. What a great way to start the day. This may have to be a new Labor Day tradition while we're living here in St. Louis.

We headed back to the parking lot and found our once lone car completely surrounded...and swarms of little families packing up kiddies in strollers. We wondered where they were headed but really didn't care too much...some people LOVE the big events...we were grateful to have beat the rush.

Snuggling with my little man.

We parked our picnic blanket next to St. Louis' Statue.

Choosing to Cherish Each other.

As a Young Women's Presidency we wanted to have an activity that focused on unity and also on leadership training. 2 of the 4 presidency members were out of town the few weeks leading up to the activity so I decided to come up with an idea. (For those of you that know me well, once I have an idea in mind I have to run with it, and run with it I did! Now I just need to learn to not take things over the top ;0) Bry was so great to support me in my brainstorming sessions and various projects.) In any case, we did a "French cooking show"--Cooking à la Mode-- and themed everything on Chocolate Chip cookies. The main concept was tying in our individual worth to ingredients...how we are each different AND important to the group. Anyway, it was fun, especially thanks to Tiffany, Diana and Melissa who ran with the idea, gave it their own personality and spunk and made it awesome!

(Most of the Young Women
Thursday 8 September 2011)

(Thank you, Aunt Elaine, for the cute
and creative ideas that you pitched in!)

Diana, me, Tiffany, Melissa.

Mad Hatters.

(Tuesday 13 September 2011)

A few weeks ago we had a quarterly Relief Society Meeting. It was a Mad Hatters' Tea Party (of course we didn't really drink tea ;0)). It was a delightful evening--a chance to mix and mingle with other sisters in the ward, snack on delectable treats and hear uplifting messages (knowing who we are, where we're going and to treat those around us with love). I was asked to be one of the photographers. Although I was nervous about doing the photo booth (thankfully my very talented friend Danica told me to take the pictures in RAW and then showed me how to edit them using CS4), I loved documenting all the details. That was right up my lane :0)

Our Little Man.

(random shot I know, but I think his little
face almost looks like a porcelain doll here. Cute.)

4 month checkup= 14 lb 12 oz, 26"

Here's our little man as of late (4 mos.). He is almost sleeping through the night again...for the last few weeks I do a dream feed as I'm going to bed and then he usually gets up around 5:30 or 6:00, eats and goes back down for a few hours. Now we're trying to wean him off the dream feed with the hope that he won't need it anymore. Here's to hoping! I can't complain though, he really does sleep like a champ.

He's getting better at sitting up in his high chair, he tried solids for the first time (oatmeal cereal), is constantly gumming everything and looks like a cat as he swats at things...as he tries to grab them. He enjoys sucking on his toes, and babbles and smiles a lot. What a cutie :0)

Bound Together in Love.

Some of my favorite times are when I'm able to use my God-given gifts to help out those around me. This Spring while counting down days to Alexander's birth, I had a great time being involved in our friends' (Adam & Sarah) wedding plans. Not only did being involved with some of the details bring back sweet memories from my own wedding day :0), but I got to spend lots of time with Sarah and got to know her better. I'm so grateful that the gospel has brought them into our lives! It has been a sweet experience to see her work toward the covenant of baptism. I can't wait for THAT big day :0)

(In the end I was able to help with pictures, the invitation, flowers, sign-in book, table center pieces and some decorations. I was so grateful to have had my Mom, Elaine and Emily's help with my wedding so that I had an idea of how to do things.)

I was one of the photographers for their wedding.
To see more pictures on my Belle Petite Photo Blog, click here.

Over the river...

...and through East St. Louis, to Eckerts' Farm we go :0)

A few weekends ago (27 August 2011) we headed across the river to do some peach and apple picking. We loaded up in the tractor-pulled wagon, rode over to the orchards, picked a nice shady row, snapped pictures, ate fresh fruit (oh the peaches...yum.) and picked more to take with us (you only have to pay for what you take home). If you haven't been, check it out, especially with the beautiful cool weather that's coming!

"always in season" :0)

Oh that smile melts my heart every time.

I think the highlight was watching Brie pick peaches off the trees, place them in her bag then drag it around behind her (I'm pretty sure every peach was well "loved" and full of bruises ;0))...AND seeing her devour peach after peach. That cute girl :0) In any case, we'll definitely be going back for another family outing sometime. Thank you, Myriam & Christian, for telling us about it!