We packed Summer 2014 full of around town activities. The reasons abound! The weather was gorgeous allll summer long. Mike traveled more than his normal this summer, so I tried to incorporate activities both to keep days fun and to wear them out! When Mike was in town, we were out doing fun things, too... trying to enjoy his time with us!
Botanical Gardens' kid area is a must.
... but it's a must with 1 parent per 1 mobile child.
Yay for water play! (Her favorite!)
Tell me about it, stud. He looks like John Lennon in Millie's sun glasses!
Love that Chihully glass, too!
His agility is improving by leaps and bounds!
Watering seeds in a miniature garden!
Maybe she'll have a green thumb?
We walked to the Japanese garden to feed the big Koi fish, but the machine was out of food. So we (tried) to take pictures instead.
One weekend we traveled to Brown County Indiana to have a family reunion with Papa Wade's side of the family. On the right side of the photo is the family of Dave's sister Ruth and her husband Glenn. They have two daughters, Emily & Hilary, each married with one child. There was a year when four of Great-Granny and Grandpa Wade's grandchildren had a baby. Dec 2010 (Colin & Owen), July 2011 (Eliza), Oct 2011 (Ava). Carson and Livi came before that busy time, and Millie obviously later. It's fun to have kids similar in age. Owen and Colin loved playing cars!
One morning, Owen got to ride in a boat with daddy and papa. He said this was the best!
We spent lots of time perfecting the tricycle riding.
Birdseye View of the zoo atop Uncle Ryan's shoulders. That's the best place to be!
Ice Cream Truck Treats
Splash Pad Fun with Eden Merrill.
The occasional pool time.. I had a hard time with the 2 of them by myself still this summer.
Maybe next year?
Children's Zoo. (Special Treat!)
I was absolutely thrilled to meet these 2 little loves, Louis (L) and Calvin (R). They are the twin boys of two of my dear friends from college, Nathan and Veronica Shore. We got a quick visit with them when they were in town from Minneapolis.
Millie is showing off her 'solid' food.
Day trip to Co,Mo. Just love all that's wrapped up in this pic!
Zoo train.
Summa time and the livin is easy!
Little firecracker on the 4th of July!
Our July 4th was awesome! We got to spend the day as (whole) families with the Francis clan. This has never before happened, and may never again! Jeff Francis (golf course extraordinaire) actually got a July 4th off (his first ever,,,maybe?) and he was willing to come hiking and playing with us Wades (Mike was actually in town too!)
We played and hiked, and ate, and played soccer. Pictured above: Nathan (2), Tyler (4), and O (3). Owen looooooves these Francis boys. Every time we see them he talks about them non-stop for at least 2 weeks.
We met out at Shaw's Nature reserve in Gray Summit. Despite it being a holiday, it was practically empty. We had the run of the place on a gorgeous day!
Little Miss enjoyed time with baby Grant. He was 7.5 months in this picture. Now 10 months and walking. Poor Ali! We had an absolute blast with you guys!
Summer 2014 had its ups and downs, but we are so grateful for great friends, helpful grandparents/aunts/uncles, cool summer weather, and St. Louis's many many free attractions!
We need to get together ASAP! The 27th may not work for adult only golf as most of my family babysitters are gallivanting around Europe right now (my parents, grandparents, Aunt Sandy, Krista and Susan and Steve.) Yay for them. Sad face for my babysitters. We need to figure out something soon though!
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