How many lights to see...

Tonight we went to The St. Louis Zoo to see Wild lights. I was pleasantly surprised by their display of light up animals and Christmas lights I hadn't seen before. We even got to see some creepy bugs & really stinky penguins.

My little brace face...

After months and months of asking and begging,

Kayla's wish came true.

Uncle Rich put braces on her!!!!!

She is lucky to have

the best orthodontist in St. Louis

be her Uncle.

Gingerbread Chaos

Sunday we had our annual gingerbread decorating night. The tradition started over 10 years ago with Spencer's side of the family when we lived in Utah. Though we have continued it on living away we no longer make the houses ourself. This year was great to have grandpa McDermott here as well as cousins.

Christmas Tradition 2011

St. Charles Christmas Tradition is quickly becoming one of our family's new Christmas traditions. Last year while visiting St. Louis during Thanksgiving we went with my parents and Rich's family. Now that we live close by I am sure we enjoy it each year.

Yesterday my Dad flew in for the weekend

and we started the visit here...

Happy Halloween!!!

Perfect night for trick-or-treating

Highlights of the last month

Cardinals Game:

Spence made it to a game this season after all and

what an exciting season it had been.

My brother gave us tickets when the Cubs were in town.

Rich had rented and catered one of the terraces at the field,

which came with a number of tickets.

He invited many of the dentists that refer to him.

We met many great people and had a fun time.

Avery turned 7:

We celebrated Avery's seventh birthday at the Cheesecake Factory.

Then we went and let her pick out a new pair of roller blades.

She is one fearless little girl, hope we don't end up

with any doctor bills with her riding.

New Calling:

When I was young I ALWAYS wanted to be a SCOUT.

Many tears were spilled over not getting to go with my Dad

on scout camp outs.

I never understood why girls couldn't

do all the cool stuff boys do.

Well my day has arrived...

I am a CUB SCOUT LEADER:)

Fall Party:

The amazing Megan (and hubby Greg) who does it all,

hosted a fabulous FALL

PARTY in her back yard.

The ambiance was magical

and they even had a s'mores buffet.

First time CAMPING:

In the 9 years of having kids we have never taken

them camping, until now.

We went to Cabela's and picked out a tent and set it up in our up stairs living room

for a few nights to test it out.

Then went with the Tilton's to a local state park for a night.

The weather was perfect and

the kids actually slept really well.

My favorite part was Spencer's apple crisp

he made it the dutch oven, soooo yummy!

Exploring:

The morning after camping we went exploring at the camp ground

and then by the river.

There were millions little frogs around the water

that were so fun to catch.

From there went to the Purina Farms,

where we watched a dog show,

enjoyed seeing the animals in the barn,

and took a hay ride.

I was sad I didn't take any pictures there,

the grounds were really beautiful.

Eckert's Farm:

After taking two ferry rides over the Mississippi river in our car,

we made it to Eckert's farm in Belleview, IL .

We were able to pick out pumpkins and

then go pick some of the yummiest Fuji apples.

Evan cried most of hay ride.

Once he picked his pumpkin out he got a little happier.

It was the most beautiful pumpkin patch

I have ever been too.

But if I ever go again it will be

when Spencer can go too.

Hannibal Missouri:

On the way to Nauvoo we stopped by the hometown

of Mark Twain.

It was a darling little town with tours through

his childhood home and places

that were in his famous stories.

Carthage Jail:

The original door is still there with the hole from

the bullet that killed Hyrum Smith.

The mob that killed Joseph Smith

and his brother

thought that the church would

end with his life.

Over a hundred and fifty years later we now

have close to 14 million members

and still growing.

Nauvoo:

Nauvoo visitors center

There are so many places to visit.

We knew Evan would only make it through a handful

of them so we went to all the ones that give you a free souvenir.

We came home with a Nauvoo brick, a nail ring from the blacksmith,

and a cookie from the bakery and some really great memories.

I look forward to going again.

The rebuilt Nauvoo Temple

Centennial Farms

Today Evan and I

went with our friends:

Megan, Jack, & Christopher

to

Centennial Farms

in Augusta Missouri.

It was Avery's 1st grade field trip.

Though I couldn't go as a chaperon, it was fun

to go and see Avery & her classmates there.

It was an enchanting place,

Evan thought this barn was too scary,

I thought it was beautiful.

We went on a Hay ride....

Pick some apples...

and saw some of the workings of the farm,

It started to rain so we loaded up the boys

and went for a drive.

Since they fell asleep,

we decided to take advantage of the time and see the area.

Megan showed me some

really cool old estates....

as well as some really amazing new estates.

I can't wait to show Spence all of the places

I learned about today.

The leafs are just starting to change,

can't wait to do some more exploring in a week

or two when they are all bright colors.

Weekend in Kentucky

This past weekend was Anna's wedding, one of

the residents from Spencer's program,

in Lexington, Kentucky.

We decided to make it a family trip

& meet up with the Fullmer's.

While our husbands went to the wedding,

Brittney & I had the kids swim at our hotel

and have a p.j. party.

Though it was a quick trip the

drive was beautiful and I think Spence

appreciated having someone to mourn

the Ohio State Football game with.

Thanks for the pic's Brittney!

Note Kate's finger in the middle picture.

Take me out to the ball game...

I am in week two of having my husband

live with us again, boy do I love it!!!

After a month apart... he was finishing his residency

in Ohio while I got the kids going in school here in Missouri.

All I can say is HOLY COW...

I am so grateful to not be a single mother!

I think after being married over 11 years it was

a great reminder how much

I love having my hubby around.

While we were waiting for Spencer to come live with us,

Kayla's school choir

sang at one of the Cardinal Games.

My very kind brother and sister-in-law,

knowing I probably get lost in St. Louis and never find parking

or my way home,

agreed to come a long with us and support Kayla,

oh and watch a couple of minutes of baseball too.

Thank you! Thank you! Rich & Lisa!

We were sad Spence couldn't be there

since he really loves the Cardinals and all.

Guess we can look forward to next year.

Labor Day we headed down

to the Mermec Caverns.

The weather was beautiful as well as the caverns.

It is known to be one of the hid out of Jesse James,

a well know American Outlaw

in the late 1800's.

It was truly amazing to see what has formed

over millions of years.

RECONNECTED

It has now been a little over a week since

our big move to St. Louis...

Friday the guy from AT&T came

and reconnected me to the world,

oh how I love to have internet & cable!!!!

The truck seemed so organized until the last of

the stuff got crammed in.

It was hard to say good-bye to all the

friends & neighbors that we love!

Thanks to having my Dad in town, cousins living close,

great ward members & my GPS,

settling in has been a breeze.

We love, love, love our neighborhood pool,

it has made these crazy hot days bearable.

If you ever want to come visit us

there are tons of free stuff to do....

like the zoo!!!! We made it there on Saturday

and survived the heat.

Kayla & Avery started school today!!!!!

Two kids down, one to go... okay I will miss

having them all gone during the day, maybe.

We learned this morning there are a million

kids in our neighborhood.

I had them go down two houses to catch the bus

and was called later that we got on the wrong bus,

ours is to pick them up in front of our house.

They have at least three buses come through our neighborhood.

Can't wait to hear about their day!