StL Weekend

Jared took Friday off from work so we could take a 'mini vacation'.  We spent the weekend in St. Louis trying to fit in everything we possibly could!  I don't think we could have asked for better weather, the entire weekend!  Friday we headed to the zoo with my cousin, Libby and her girls (along with the entire population of  St. Louis, I think)!  It was crowded and we didn't stay too long, but we got to see lots of animals and the kids had fun!

Waiting to go in to see more penguins!

She wasn't too sure about this place...

Ethan enjoyed it though!

Libby and Katie Sue on her 1st Birthday!

Nora and the penguins

Haley and Ethan before we left...they thought they were going to fall in, so they have  a death grip on each other!

Saturday was Katie Sue's 1st Birthday Party.  Again, the weather was perfect and the Mehrle's did a great job hosting everyone!  The party was a success!  

I don't think she got too 'into' the cupcake...

Opening presents with her Mama

Pretty Birthday Girl!

The 'Big' Kids at the Party

Nora had fun celebrating too!  It will be her turn soon!

Ornery boys!  Seriously...look at those faces!

After the party wrapped up, we stuck around to hang out and let the kids rest.  Then headed for an early dinner, swimming back at our hotel and an early bedtime!

Sunday we checked out of our hotel and met at the Magic House to open the place up!  It had been years since I had been there and I think the place has doubled in size since I was a kid.  The Mehrle's are members so we scored free passes!  Thanks guys!  Abby met us there and we were off for a few hours of children's museum/pretend play fun!  

First stop...fishing!

 

Playing some drums

This construction area might have been his favorite

Digging with Daddy

Katie, climbing the stairs!

Nora's trying to climb up the slide

Ball pit

Very determined girls!  Both trying to climb up the slide.

The static ball is a Magic House, must see!  I told Ethan about it and that's all he wanted to get to.  Once there, he was a little nervous, so I helped him out :)!

He thinks this is a pretty cool picture...and I agree!

I didn't shake my head enough to get it to stand straight up...

Abby did though!

It was a great weekend and we had so much fun!  

A Few Projects

We've been doing a few painting projects around the house lately.  You might notice a theme in color, but, hey...use what you've got, right?!?

Front door/shutters:
(Pictures from my phone...sorry)

Before...

After!!

The shutters were also red

Dining Room/Window Coverings:

Before

After!

We used the same paint from the front door...turns out, you don't need a whole gallon for 1 door :).

Entryway Table:
My mom and I hit the sales at Rollinsons in Salem and scored this beauty for 25 bucks.  It had drop leaves, but I forgot to take a picture of it with them still on, but they are on the floor behind the table.  I used paint that I got FREE from an ACE hardware 'Free Paint Saturday'.  And got an $8 can of polyurethane, so total cost...$33!!

Before

I had started sanding a bit at this point. 

After!!

This is a different gray color from the dining room.

I'm so happy with how it turned out!  It's a little low, so I might look for some feet to add, but not necessary.

Time to Lower the Crib!

This happened today during nap time...

She was NOT happy.  Especially when I came in to find her like this, turned around, ran out, got the camera and came back for the snapshots.  No worries though, I rescued her soon after :).  

Children's Museum

Last week, my mom came up to hang out and go to the children's museum with us.  Ethan had been wanting to go, and asking almost everyday.  He loves just about everything there and always has a great time.  Since Nora is crawling now, she had more fun too.  

First stop...window painting!

Nora enjoyed watching from the stroller

Climbing next...

He was too busy to actually look at me!

A little grocery shopping

Next up, gardening!

They are both pretty serious gardeners...must come from Grandpa Mark!

Trying to find her way out of the dog house :)

On to the mechanic shop.

Checking the oil

It was a fun day and I'm glad Grandma Terri was there to enjoy some pretend play too :)!

Nora's 9 Mo Stats

I apologize for the length of time between posts...I think our computer is back up and running (for now, at least).  Anyway, last Thursday was Nora's 9 month well child visit.  She is a growing, healthy baby girl!  And, she was a happy girl...no shots!

She weighed in at 19 lbs, 6 oz- 70% and is 28 in long- 75%. 

I remember taking a very similar photo of Ethan at his 9 month check-up.  Click here, for that post :)!

A few more pictures from last week, to show you our growing girl!

She had crawled over to the fireplace and stood up.  I got up to get the camera, and just as I was getting ready to snap the picture, she turned around with this big cheesy smile!

What a ham!

 When she was finished at the fireplace, she made her way over to the coffee table.

Check out Ethan in the background...he's quite the ham too!

U.S.A!!

We have been consumed by the Olympics.  It's on all.day.long!  I can't help it, it's just so much fun to watch!  Ethan has been getting into it as well... Practicing his diving last night :) and tonight he was doing some vault practice.

Nora was pretty excited too!

In her Opening Ceremony outfit!

And this one was just too cute!

Two 3 Year Olds!

We were finally able to get Braden and Ethan together for them to celebrate their birthdays.  They were born 2 days apart, in the same hospital together and have been together pretty much every since.  Due to some sickness issues, they weren't able to be at each other's parties.  But we had a great time last week, and the boys did too.

Having some Birthday Dirt with worms!

Present time!

This is what Ethan got and he loves it!  He is always wanting to do the 'puzzles'.