Before you read this you need to know two things.
1. I don't know how to fix the typing on some of the pictures...you'll know which ones I am talking about when you get there.
2. This post is REALLY long, so either plan on taking a couple potty breaks, or break up your viewing into sessions.

We are home from our trip. Here are some of the pictures we took. We got to St. Louis Tuesday and got to meet up with Heath's friend from college-Charles. Why didn't we take any pictures of the boys together? I don't know. We hung out for a little while and walked around the city. We pretty much walked everywhere because there wasn't anywhere to park. Just to park at our hotel we had to pay an extra $18.00 a night! WHAT?? You have to pay to park at your hotel? Yup. Crazy!
Heath was in meetings most of the time so I walked around on my own or read and slept. I caught up on some sleep! It was nice to have a 'Mommy break,' but I missed my kids a lot. I was so happy to get back to them Saturday afternoon.

The obligatory Gateway Arch pictures.

And another.

A pic of the tram that gets you to the top. It was the tiniest door I have ever seen and I wasn't sure I would fit. But I did...it was round inside and my head hit the ceiling.

A view from the top. This is west St. Louis. Heath was at his conference all day and suggested that I 'do the arch' since I would be by myself and I hadn't ever gone to the top before. I don't want to sound dramatic but the whole experience was rather terrifying. There was some nervous laughter and a couple dizzy spells. I won't do it again, but I am happy to say that I have done it!

This is the point at which I realized that if I leaned any closer to the window, the entire arch was going to topple over...killing me and everyone else. From here on out I just pointed the camera and clicked. I wasn't taking any chances.

East St. Louis and the rising Mississippi river.


















You can see the river beginning to spill onto a road.


Water was already spilling onto our side of the river. Roads were completely covered and water was creeping up the steps next to the arch.




A picture of our hotel (the round building) and apparently a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium.







A ground level picture of the Mississippi.

A view from our hotel room.

A woman Heath knew from his mission (her family was his favorite!) lives in St. Charles...just a short trip from St. Louis so we were able to meet up with her and her husband. This is Heath, Angie, and David. It was so nice to meet her again (I met her once in LA, CA) and to meet her husband. We had a nice visit and dinner in Main Street, St. Charles. This is one of those places that you see on Christmas cards. It was very old fashion and I would love to walk down Main St. during the winter time. I loved it.

Here I am with Heath and Angie. Heath really enjoyed catching up with Angie. Her family, the Marins were Heath's favorite family on his mission. He was in their area for 7 months and got quite close to everyone. He tears up when he thinks about them. They are a really sweet family (Hermana Marin is also a fabulous cook...I can personally vouch for that) and Heath really misses them.

Once we got back to Jonesboro, Timmy suggested that we go bowling...remember the failed attempt a few weeks ago? Kalyn was so excited!

Kalyn couldn't stop dancing and smiling the whole night.

Mamaw and Keali. Keali didn't want to be held--she wanted to bowl!

This is my pretty baby. I am a firm believer that you can tell how much fun a child has had by the number of minor bruises and scrapes on their body. Keali had a lot of fun staying with her grandparents! She is also a bit clumsy. Her legs work faster than the her head does I think.

Kalyn getting ready to bowl for the first time.

The first celebration dance. More to follow!

Heath gets ready to bowl.

Will it make it?

STRIKE!!!

Celebration dance #2. I think she actually only knocked down one pin.

The wind up.

The release.

I think I can! I think I can!

Kalyn's balls could take a couple minutes making it to the pins. She didn't have speed, but she did have determination!

Keali was happy to be with her Daddy.

Keali getting tossed around by Uncle Tim and Daddy.

It's Keali's turn to bowl!

Get ready.

It's off!

Hey! I want my ball back!

Daddy found out just how slippery the lanes are when he had to retrieve Keali. I found out the next time I was up. I didn't go past the foul line, the floor was just REALLY slippery!

Kalyn had a 'chunking' technique perfected. Pick up the ball as high as you can and throw it. Or drop it. Which ever sounds best at the time.

Looking back.

Whoo Hoo!!! Notice that her feet were NOT touching the floor.

Sharing a frozen treat with Aunt Shannon.

Snack time. Cheetoes for Kalyn...Sugars for Daddy.

This isn't just bowling...it's GLO-BOWLING!!

I love this girl!

Heath, Kalyn, and me. Keali had to go home early because she was tired. Mawma was tired too.

It took FOREVER to get this picture. Heath kept doing weird things and we don't have many nice pictures of the two of us together. Can you see the frustration in my eyes?

When we got home, Kalyn wanted to play with her make up so I did her face and she did mine. Yup. That's blue eyeshadow ladies! And purple blush streaked on my face. I think she did a nice job!

Have I mentioned how much I love this girl?

Her cheeks are perfectly kissable!!