| Popeye had the week off right before his brother's wedding so we decided to head to St. Louis, MO for a few days. The wedding was in Taylor so we were heading that direction anyway, what better time for, yes, another vacation :O) It was sooooo much fun. I love that St. Louis is a city of unlimited free things to do and get out and see. We stayed a bit outside of the city and drove in almost every day, going to the : St. Louis Zoo, Science Museum, shopping, a factory tour, driving by the arch. When we weren't in the city, we spent time outdoors. When we first arrived it was rather chilly but as the week ended, the weather warmed up so much that we were able to just wear sweatshirts out and about!!! Talk about beautiful weather for December!!! It was nice to spend time as a family since Popeye had worked so much this summer during the strike and it seems like fall was just as busy!!!! Emmett enjoyed being able to be with his Daddy too. In fact, things have been a little rough since we returned home. He asks where his Daddy is at and wants to walk along side the cart with me (like him and Daddy would do) instead of riding with Audrey. I think he'd take having his Daddy home 24/7 if he could :O) |  | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Riding the Carousel at the St. Louis Zoo |
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| Sea Lions swimming overhead. |
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| We were pretty much the only ones there so as Emmett ran back and forth down the tunnel, the sea lions followed him back and forth. He thought this was great fun to have friends to play with. |
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| This was Audrey's favorite part of the zoo too. Not only was it warm in the tunnel, but those sea lions were constantly on the move :O) |
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| Cold but still smiling at the St. Louis Zoo |
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| Finally found the African section of the St. Louis Zoo. Despite the cold, the giraffes and animals were still out. |
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| After being a little bored in the amphibian building (the snakes just didn't move fast enough for her) she had quite the collection of 'chew toys' on her lap. |
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| The weather had warmed up later in the week so out we were playing putt putt. Emmett kept the pace of the game moving quickly. By the end, he was about 2 holes ahead of Matthew and I had given up playing all together with my camera and Audrey in tow. |
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| Matthew trying to teach Emmett correct technique. |
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| Audrey riding along in the carrier we borrowed from Laura. She much preferred riding in the back b/c she could see better and this gave mommy both hands to putt-putt and take photos. |
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| Emmett doing a puzzle at the St. Louis Science Museum |
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| Digging for bones at the St. Louis Science Museum. We were the only ones there that early so we the pit all to ourselves. |
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| Dinosaur display at the St. Louis Science Museum. Emmett got the play with lots of plastic dinosaurs!! A little boy's delight! |
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| Trying to build an arch with Daddy at the St. Louis Science Museum. Emmett gave up half way and had more fun knocking it over than anything else. |
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| Mommy and Audrey at a 'factory tour'. Fanciest buildings I'd seen in awhile for a factory. |
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| Playing on a fort during one of our nice days. |
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| We bought a cheap bat and ball since the weather was so nice and Emmett practiced hitting it at the playground. |
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| Once Mommy showed him how neat the firepole was, Emmett LOVED going down this thing. I was a little terrified at first that he was going to break an arm or something but he did great at it!!! |
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| With a little help, Audrey had so much fun on the slide. She was all smiles as she slid down it, with the protective arms of Mommy or Daddy making sure she didn't fall. When she wasn't sliding, she was playing in the grass or trying to eat rocks if we weren't paying close enough attention. |
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| Watching people drive by and 'clocking them' with the radar gun at the St. Louis Science Museum. |