Meet me in St. Louis

We traveled to St. Louis last weekend. The usual gang went, except we swapped Christian, who was in a wedding, for Andrew! We drove the 3 1/2 hours to St. Louis, and headed straight for the ball field. I have never been to a St. Louis game, and the new stadium is amazing. Look at this view:

 The arch! I have never been inside but my family members have and they said it's worth going in.

Fortunately, we were in the shade and didn't have the sun beating down on us. 

It was one of those "no weather" weather days. Where you're just as comfortable wearing a light jacket or t-shirt without fear of freezing or sweating to death. There is something about a clear blue sky, and 72 degree day that just puts everyone in a good mood (Our humid summers and cold winters are jealous, California!):

 I put this picture on my dad's facebook and titled it: "Dad's favorite child." 

It was not disputed, rude!

The outfield was detailed to perfection to look like the arch:

 Doesn't the infield make you want to run the bases? The grounds crew worked tirelessly before the game, making sure there wasn't a single unwanted bump or speck of dirt out of place.

 We were all super excited for the game to start. 

Have I mentioned Chris and I aren't even Cardinals fans? Washington Nationals, all the way baby!

 

 I always love getting candid shots of these two:

 Sweet beard, Chris! You're very manly.

 In our house 'No shave November' starts at the end of August.

After the game we met up with our friend from College, Nolan, and his girlfriend, Morgan. 

Chris is laughing because Nolan was purposely, and awkwardly, posing with his hand on his leg.

Morgan and I bonded over the fact that we love to run every picture (unapologetically) through the instagram app, giving us cooler looking pictures:

Although now that I'm looking at this, I can't tell if has been instagrammed?

Good pic anyways, Morgan!

 Mom didn't want her picture taken whether it was instagrammed or not.

 

The next day I think we all felt tired, like Andrew:

But my dad gave us a Captain Morgan style wake-up call and we were up and at 'em in no time.

 Considering I ate this beautiful Junk yard dog the night before, at the ball park,  topped onions, relish, ketchup and mustard......

Yes, I LOVE onions and I am unashamed.

 I figured, I should eat a wholesome and healthy breakfast......

 Just kidding. I didn't even eat the omelet:

 Hello chocolate donut.

I think I went to Willy Wonka's house....

There is a 'so incredible it will blow your mind' secret place located in St. Louis, Missouri. Actually I don't think it's a secret, but everyone I've asked about it always says: "Now just WHAT are you talking about?" And I say: "EXACTLY!"

When you're in downtown St. Louis, you're already in an appreciative mood because of the beautiful architecture and rich history. It looks like this:
 

The guys and I are walking to a restaurant in this shot. I promise, Andrew WAS in St. Louis with us, but he is very popular, and had many fans to attend to. However, notice the very metropolitan area we're in?

Little did we know that just a few streets over a place that was a cross between Narnia, Hogwarts, Willy Wonka's chocolate factory,  and the World's Fair was awaiting us to explore its deepest depths. What's the name of this magical wonderland, you ask? CITY MUSEUM. Don't let the name fool you.

We found a place to park, and as we were walking up to CITY MUSEUM, our eyes feasted on this sight:

This is the outside. COVERED with ramps, ladders, tunnels, TWO airplanes, a castle turret, a fire truck, and a bonfire complete with marshmallows. 

When we walked into CITY MUSEUM, I was delightfully overwhelmed by all awesomeness:

Wait- is this real? Or is that man in a BRIGHT yellow shirt about to tell me I'm dreaming and then turn into a cat or something?!?

 After pinching myself in sensitive areas that shouldn't be pinched, it was decided I was most certainly NOT dreaming....so we went to work in the EnChAnTeD cAvEs (that writing is meant to denote whimsy). Exploring the man-made caves was a bit daunting. It was fairly dark in there and you never knew where a tunnel would take you, if  it would get smaller or if it would ever end. 

This was a very small dark tunnel. I used my camera flash to see where it would lead. Immediately after this picture, I quickly (frantically) crawled out backwards saying: "Nope! Nope! Not happening. Turn around! Go back! Go back!"

Now this is more my speed, lots of room: 

You can't tell but, those jagged spikes are actually dinosaur teeth. Yup, you read right, DINOSAURS!

My brother Christian has a true skill for climbing and fitting through tight spaces. He was in heaven: 

Ahhh! Look out! There is a Cave Monster behind you!!! Or pushy 3 year old.

After thoroughly exploring the CaVeS, we discovered the stairs to the TEN STORY SLIDE. We climbed for what felt like hours and finally reached the summit.  We had some time while waiting in line to reflect on the awesomeness that is CITY MUSEUM, and discuss how to re-create it in our backyard. Many ideas were thrown around, but somehow my suggestion of adding a mermaid pool was shot down....not cool.

This is at the top of the 10 stories looking down, pretty cool right!?

My mom and I, after looking down at the spiral stair case.....

I almost said: "Hold me mommy! I don't wanna goooo!"

but I remembered I really didn't want to walk ALL the way down the stairs so I got brave and did what any sensible girl would do: 

...and made her go first.

The ride down wasn't that bad.....if you don't mind careening around a spiral slide for ten stories:

Dad obviously liked it. I'm pretty sure on his way down he yelled: "SEE YA SUCKAS!"

We all made it down the slide of death in one piece, and worked our way back through the EnChAnTeD cAvEs with only one emergency along the way: 

Christian! A giant fish just ate you! Get out of there!

I got really excited because I thought SURELY this was a time machine hiding in St. Louis, ready to transport me to all kinds of fascinating places past and future....

.....it wasn't. 

It may not have time travel, but CITY MUSEUM did show us some other cool things like:

Don't mind me, just climbing an indoor tree-house. LIKE A BOSS.

and

It really did have a lot of mirth, mystery and mayhem....AND a circus. Yes, a circus. What are we holding? Oh just a beer CITY MUSEUM legally sold us! This place is paradise!

An art center with pottery, painting, chalk drawing and paper mache? Yes, please!
I know what you're thinking, reader: "No way this is all in one place! She somehow transported me to a dream she had!"  I am here to tell you that IT IS REAL (at least that is what Chris tells me) and IT'S WONDERFUL!

I don't know why the creators of this magic-land decided to put a bank vault in it, but I'm glad they did...

because now I can crack a safe....like a true professional (lie.).

The outside was just as cool as the inside: 

HELLLOOOO DOWN THERE!! You look like tiny ants! I wanted to spit, but Chris said no....

We're just hanging out climbing stuff...no big deal. 

So if you're ever in St. Louis make sure you make it a PRIORITY to get yourself over to CITY MUSEUM! You won't regret it. Be careful though, because when you leave, you'll want to put this in your backyard: 

Hello my loyal subjects! Thank you for being so faithful now GET OFF MY LAWN!

and it might end up looking like this: 

Actually, if you can achieve this give me a call so you can make one in my backyard. Seriously.

How to have an awesome baby shower....

My sister-in-law is expecting a baby boy in December, and we sisters-in-laws took it upon ourselves  to throw her a kick-ass baby shower (can you say kick-ass when discussing baby showers?)

Chhhiiieeeffsss!! I mean....GO ROYALS! No, wait....CARDSSSS!!

I'm never a big fan of anything traditional, so a St. Louis Cardinals theme (2011 World Series Champs no big deal-you go Missouri!) was perfect for this celebration. 

 I love all showers, why? One simple, glorious, happy word: CAKE. 

 

Baby Jack's cake was SUPPOSED to go: 'ball, bat, ball, bat, ball', separately in their own squares, but somehow that concept got lost in translation and we got a ball/bat combination in EACH square. 

Honestly,  I didn't care because that meant MORE frosting for me!  I even managed to snag a corner piece to really double up on that delicious frosting goodness.....Stick with me kid, I'll show you how to live it up right!

The Guest of Honor.....

Umm, Amanda? Can you please get out of the picture? I'm trying to get a shot of the guest of honor. That's it, now tilt it up just a bit more more.... Oh ok fine. I guess you can be the guest of honor, sister!

I have an extreme need for photos to look candid and unplanned.....

Amanda is making this 'trying not to laugh' face because she started to smile when she saw me taking a picture and I literally yelled at her: "NO! I'M TAKING A CANDID PHOTO! ACT NATURALLY!"

As you can see, I am a master photographer......

A MUCH better candid photo if I do say so myself.

The two pretty ladies on the left are my fellow 'aunts' and shower throwers. The two on the right are baby Jack's cousins. It was quite the family affair.

 

The day continued on and presents were given....

...much laughter and fun was had....

And we FINALLY got to eat the cake. 

Where is the picture you ask? Silly reader. How could I possibly take a picture of cake-eating when I've got my hands full with two pieces of my own?! Here is a representation: 

Don't judge me.

It was decided that we needed to work off the sugar in our systems and the most fun part of the day was had....

(I have got to tell you, games in the baby shower department REALLY need a make-over. Playing the 'melt different candy bars in  diapers to make it look like poop and then pass the diapers around and try to guess the candy' is a little outdated if you ask me.)

We kicked it up a notch and decorated onesies: 

The table filled with stamps, fabric paint, fabric markers and creative artists....

My mom had me draw a baby baseball player which she colored in, then she showed us all up by sewing a  baseball button on his hand....cheater! I didn't know props were allowed!

Baby Jack's big sister, Alli, created this masterpiece for her little brother. We're hoping the paint will dry by the time he actually gets here....in a month.

Even Grandma Pearl got in on the action.

You go Grandma Pearl!

Sure he may love you, Aunt Lorri,

but let's be honest he will probably love me MORE!!!

After much deliberating, Aunt Traci settled on a doggy design...

Where is my masterpiece you ask?

Notice my intense concentration on my onesie?

Ta-da! 

I realize the Harley looks like a motorcycle/buggy/4-wheeler hybrid, but if a baby is truly driving - how it looks it the LEAST of our worries.

For some reason, I just wasn't satisfied with that onesie. I thought and thought, it was then that I was struck with inspiration and came up with this little gem: 

.

.....No big deal.