B + A = LOVE

After leaving St. Louis, MO we headed to our next stop, Taylor, MO / Quincy, IL.  Ben and Anneliese's wedding was the first weekend in December and we were soooo excited to have the whole family together AGAIN!!!  I think twice in one year is potentially a record these days as everyone's families are getting bigger and the siblings are getting married.  There's hardly a house that will hold us all!!  It is ALWAYS a great time to get together though, especially for such an occasion.

Dad, Ben, and Mom

Lindberg Family: Joshua, Bethany, Cara, Calista / Mark, Laura, Zoie, Simon  /  Jacob & Rachel, and baby (April)  / Dad, Mom, Lydia, Hannah, Joel, Rachel  /  Caleb & Rose, and baby (January)  /   Matthew, Renae, Emmett, Audrey   /  Ben & Anneliese

I had the opportunity to take Ben and Anneliese's wedding photos... which meant I have more to post than I normally would.... .which would be next to none since I wouldn't have my camera on me.  The wedding was beautiful.  The sermon in the afternoon was sooo good with the acronym COUPLE being used to describe attributes in a successful marriage.  The minister was so real about the ups and downs of marriage and the real joy but also real sorrow too.  Of course the blushing bride was beautiful and the groom hopelessly in love.... as should be on the wedding day. :O)

Ben and Anneliese

Bridal Party

Beautiful Bridesmaids

Dashing Groomsmen

Sharing Cake

Saying Goodbye

After the wedding was over we hightailed it quickly out with a 4.5 hr drive to go and some seriously tired and melting down kids.  They'd had too much fun (and cake ;O) for sure!!!

St. Louis, MO Trip

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) 

Riding the Carousel at the St. Louis Zoo

Sea Lions swimming overhead.

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. 

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)

Cold but still smiling at the St. Louis Zoo

Finally found the African section of the St. Louis Zoo.  Despite the cold, the giraffes and animals were still out.

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.

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.

Matthew trying to teach Emmett correct technique.

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.

Emmett doing a puzzle at the St. Louis Science Museum

Digging for bones at the St. Louis Science Museum.  We were the only ones there that early so we the pit all to ourselves.

Dinosaur display at the St. Louis Science Museum.  Emmett got the play with lots of plastic dinosaurs!!  A little boy's delight!

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.

Mommy and Audrey at a 'factory tour'.  Fanciest buildings I'd seen in awhile for a factory.

Playing on a fort during one of our nice days.

We bought a cheap bat and ball since the weather was so nice and Emmett practiced hitting it at the playground.

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!!! 

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.

Watching people drive by and 'clocking them' with the radar gun at the St. Louis Science Museum.  

Enjoy the Holidays

Until next time, everyone stay warm and cozy during this holiday season..... enjoy some yummy hot cocoa for us!!!!!


~Olive and Family

Johansen Farms Visit

We got a groupon to the Johansen Farm in October and decided to go.  Thankfully, there was one beautiful day near the end of the month that was supposed to be in the 70s.  Don't you just love Midwest weather???  So, I packed the kids up and away we went!  I could not believe that it was in the middle of town.  I mean, right on a busy road.... that was something else considering I came from a farm.  This was not a farm.  However, there were plenty of different kinds of animals the kids got to feed which had Audrey screeching in delight and Emmett being very brave all things considering.  We went on a small train ride and a 'hay ride' at which point Emmett pointed to some houses from the nearby subdivision and said 'house ma'.  Yes Emmett, we could see all the houses.  so funny.  They had blowup bouncy houses and slides for little kids and that was relatively empty so Emmett had a blast playing on those for awhile.  We did end up getting some pumpkins and bringing them home to paint to make the day last a little longer.  The kids had fun and it was a welcome break from a typical day.  Just glad my kiddos know what a REAL farm is though!!!!

Johansen Farm photo

Feeding the goats

Trying to drive the tractor right but its stuck!!!

Sweet little foreign lady tries to take our family photo on the hayride.

Audrey chilling out during lunch.  She just needed to kick her feet up for awhile.

Checking out the pumpkins

Choosing pumpkins to bring home with us.

Emmett painting his pumpkin.  He had red paint in his hair for weeks afterwards!!

Audrey holding the paint.

Audrey's pumpkin.... She got to rub all the blue paint on in the background with some help from Mommy.

Wedding and Extended Visit

Rachel with Crazy Character at Cantigny

Getting ready for a walk.

Boiler Up!!!

Joel, Lydia, Rachel, and Hannah

Emmett on the cool tank!!

Throwing rocks into the water on our walk.

Trying to keep warm in Downtown Naperville.  What a fun visit!!!

For a little girl with no teeth, candy is just as good in the bag as out....

The family got to stay a few extra weeks after the wedding of Popeye's brother, Jacob to Miss Rachel (whom he met while working EMT :)  So we were so excited when they came up.  The wedding was a very nice event and everyone looked smashing in their wedding attire.  The kids did an admirable job of behaving at the rehearsel dinner and stayed pretty clean eating their spaghetti!  The kids pushed through the day of the wedding, finally crashing in their carseats on the way to the reception.  Popeye was part of the wedding party so I stayed out in the car while he went in.  I wasn't alone though.  My wonderful sister-in-laws either came to sit with me or brought me yummy food to help me pass the time.  When the kids finally woke up they were ready to go again for the reception and enjoyed chasing balloons, eating candy, and getting cup after cup to fill up with water to drink (thankfully it was a VERY kid friendly reception). 
The day after the wedding we had a surprise birthday party for my mother-in-law.  We thought for sure someone would accidentally give away the surprise since over 70 people were invited but she was no wiser until she walked through that door!!!  We got her good and were so thankful for a good turn out and those that came to support mom.  It was a nice afternoon with yummy food and desserts. 
After the wedding we got the joy of having them up for a few days.  It's never enough time when we get to be with them but we make the most of it that we can!!!  The weather wasn't cooperating with a trip to Chi-Town so we headed to Downtown Naperville to enjoy the small shops and yummy goodies there.  We also were able to take a day and go to Cantigny, a free war park/ museum with just about the coolest museum I've seen.  It's amazing with the real life scenes and real memorabilia along with way.  Popeye even got to go with us to that one and I'm glad he did.  He knew so much about the tanks that were sitting, decommissioned, that the kids were allowed to PLAY ON!!!!  In the evenings, we enjoyed spending time at Mark and Laura's house, eating and hanging out. 

Audrey in her wedding outfit and bow.

Joel and Emmett ready to have their picture taken.

Rachel and Jacob

Mom and Simon

Whole Family Photo at Mom's Surprise Birthday Party

Aunt Regenna brought a super fun train to the party for the kids!!!

Mom being surprised at her party.

Rachel and Emmett showing off their fancy feet at the wedding reception.