Whodunnit?

Recently, my parent's took us kids on a family get away to St. Louis. I have been to St. Louis only a handful of times, but it might be one of the most underrated cities ever. The last time we went was almost 3 years ago when I experienced the joy and wonder that is CITY MUSEUM. Little did I know that was just the tip of the St. Louis iceberg.

Before we left for this bustling city to the north east (home of the 1904 World's Fair, no big deal), we asked ourselves the usual: "Well what will we do once we get there?" questions. We were actually floating in the lake discussing this when my mom said: "what about that one place that does those one things....oh you know...murder mystery....and you like go and eat..."  I was shocked. How could a murder mystery dinner theatre be in existence and I didn't know!?

I quickly did some research and found this elusive place that is full of murder....and mystery...and dinner....and discovered it was known as Bissell Mansion Theatre; I immediately called and made reservations.

The woman who took our reservations asked typical questions like 'how many in your party?' and 'what date would you like to attend?' But THEN she asked the best question of all: "Would you like speaking parts for your group?" I practically shouted, YES! You mean, WE get to be a part of the murder mystery?! Sign me up. My enthusiasm was not matched by my family. I'd say they were down right annoyed I said yes without consulting them. Too bad.

We arrived in style, and right on time. There was a big dining room filled with about 40-45 other diners. Appetizers were served as we waited for all the guests to arrive:

I must admit, I did find it a bit odd that Crab Rangoon was one of the appetizers...I thought maybe there would be something a little more mysterious-y. 

The killer is DEFINITELY in this picture....have a guess who?

Soon it was time to start the show, and figure out who killed "Bitsy" the Mardi Gras Queen.

We were introduced to the main characters, given our "names'' and script pages.
It was fairly simple, follow along the script until it's your turn to speak.

I can't work with this! What's my motivation? Where does my passion come from?

This was Christian's role, a detective. He didn't come in until Act III. 

My role was Georgia Peach, and my daddy owns the largest peach farm in all of the South. 

Here I am speaking my lines with grace and one heck of a Southern accent: 

I expect my Tony award in the mail any day now.

Andrew is turned around trying to figure out where the voice of "Harry Conduit, Jr." was coming from. I'll tell you this: Harry was NOT the murderer. 

Christian was obviously in deep thought about what the actor,-er, I mean- John Lafeet,  was explaining to my dad- uh, I mean- Carlos Violincello, the mobster and concert violinist....

I told Christian in all of the pictures I have of him he looks very confused. 

He said: "Well duh, it's a murder mystery....."

Andrew played the Cajun chef....his one and only line was uttered after Chris said: "Whoo-whee! I love me some steak!" Andrew had the tough line of: "I like my steak medium rare!" 

And that was it for those two...they definitely weren't the murderers. 

At one point, accusations were flying, alibis were called into question, and fingers were pointed. 

WHO WAS THE MURDERER?

 I can tell you it was not one of these three people below:

Which only leaves one person as the killer of poor Bitsy, the Mardi Gras Queen.....

CARLOS VIOLINCELLO!!! 

I will tell you Carlos was just as surprised as the rest of us that he was in fact, the murderer. 

It was discovered that when Carlos went to play for Bitsy she told him he had the "smallest fiddle she'd ever seen" and Carlos did not appreciate that one bit! I was sort of hoping Georgia Peach WAS the killer because Bitsy seemed like a real jerk.


Don't worry, dad  Carlos wasn't sent to jail. He was such a superb actor, they didn't want to arrest him....

 ......just his picture. 

I think there might be a new profession for all of us in the near future......

#hashtag

A few weeks back Chris, Christian, and I had a lengthy in-depth conversation about twitter, and what the # symbol means. I'm sure you've seen it, you'll be watching your favorite t.v. show when all of a sudden a "#modernfamily" thing will randomly pop up on the screen. If you don't understand what twitter is (hi mom!) or what a # means, don't worry...I'm not going to try to explain it. When I tried to explain it to tweedle-dee and tweedle-dumbass, it was way over their heads: "I still don't get it"   "Yeah, soooo it's a number sign but not for numbers?"  "potato".

The whole point of that story, besides wanting to call Chris and Christian tweedle-dee and tweedle-dumbass, was to say, every Thursday my facebook newsfeed is filled with #TBT,  and an old picture of the person. I finally asked my friend, Mackenzie, what the heck I was missing out on that was making me feel really uncool and old. She explained it meant "Throw Back Thursday" and you post an old pic of yourself or someone else you know from way back when. I got excited because I love to drag out old pictures, and then I got unexcited because I realized I could throw wayyyy back, like 1984 back.

Still I've decided to participate, sibling style, because if you're going to feel old and embarrassed,  why not drag your siblings along with you?

Chris and I before prom, 2002

 Christian, circa 2004. I don't even think he could drive yet, love the metal mouth, and the hair.

 Andrew, 2006. 

Yes, I made him that crown, and insisted he wear it....this was when he was still obliging.
Smooshy face! Take online classes, and move back home!!

 Hey! That #Throw Back Thursday wasn't too bad, you should try it!

 And even though #TBT may not be so kind as you get older, just remember: there is always someone older than you.....

Hey you're a sibling too Sister-in-law!

Chris and his sister, Amanda, 2001.

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.

3 reasons Chris teaches: June, July and August.

The following are some of my favorite photos from Summer 2012. 

More than a few pictures have been run through the 'Instagram' app, but I can't help it..

....I love they way they look:

A sunset cruise on The Lake.

Christian, after watching a baseball game, dunking his hot head in a cooler full of ice water. 

Chris and his mom after lunch. I love the mustache.

No, really! I do:

I think I should entitle this portrait: "American Badass"

A fun, festive, family photo of Betty, Layla and me. Clearly we're ready for a great weekend! 

On our way to the lake in Andrew's jeep.

Amber and I at Jordan's Birthday party. 

Johnny and Chris having an intense back porch conversation. 

You would actually be surprised to know what they were talking about at this moment.

Andrew looking like a big kid.....cut your hair already, dude!

Jana taking her role as an "Apples to Apples" judge VERY seriously.

Chris and I lounging in the Dominican Republic.

And finally, a picture that tells me I'm old and summer is officially over, all in one:

dropping Andrew off in his dorms for his first year of college. 

Bring on Fall!

Siblings.....

We were watching home videos last night, and I realized something: I should have been an only child. The first video was from Christmas of 1987. I was a happy, sweet, center of attention child. My dad held me on his shoulders while I put the angel on top of the tree, my mom held me in her lap and snuggled me, and my dad used the video camera to ask me important questions about my life like my favorite Christmas song (Jingle Bells).



 Cut to the next home tape: Thanksgiving of 1991 at my grandparent's house. Aside from the fact that I'm older, and constantly beg my dad to "let me hold the camera", there is a new addition. A boy. Now three years old. Brown hair and green eyes. Answers to the name of Christian. I begged for a sister, but he arrived in the Fall of '88.  Here is a video of a video, him playing with a nut-cracker while saying: "Honey, I'm home" over and over.

I can remember being extremely offended anytime Christian 'copied me' when we were kids.  My dad  would say: "He copies you because he loves you and thinks you're so cool!" I didn't care, nor was I flattered.

Then he got older, got cooler than me and stopped copying me. However, I still notice some similarities that could be considered copying ......

like how we posed with an Elvis statue: 

or our love of Chris: 

and the lakers: 

and sombreros:

'ole!'

or even how we sit when taking a birthday shot while my dad cheers us on in the background:  

But I'm starting to wonder if it's not really copying. Maybe, just maybe, when you've known someone their whole life, and practically almost your own entire life, and lived in the same house for the majority of that time.....

......you're bound to share some similar characteristics......

.

Right?!

......nah, impossible.