Sunday, May 15, 2011

Armed and dangerous

If I had to choose, I would probably say that my favorite part of our recent trip to St. Louis involved a little girl and a big horse.  

I don't think that moment even registered on my boys' radar.  For them, this trip was all about two things:  City Museum and the gun
Seth got to use it first...
then Ryan... 
and finally James. 
 I find this picture somewhat terrifying.
Eventually, they moved from the creek bed to the backyard (also terrifying).
Ryan's marksmanship--not too shabby! 
Armed and dangerous. 
May 2011

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

James and the tree

This is what James was doing while Ryan and Lilie were throwing rocks.





May 2011

Jason's backyard

Some twenty four hours after we left Denver, we arrived at Jason's home in Wentzville, Missouri.  Jason wasn't there to greet us, but we received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from his "watch" dogs, Chewy and Tari. 
The boys were extremely impressed with Jason's backyard which contained a full size trampoline, climbing fort and zip line.  The zip line was in need of some minor repairs.  Fortunately, Jason took care of that as soon as he got home.
Weee!
While Jason and the boys played were occupied with the zip line, Seth spent some time with his niece Liliana.
Sharing a laugh. 
Such a cute girl! 
Trampolines, forts and ziplines are all pretty cool, but perhaps the best part of Jason's backyard is what lay outside the back gate... 
That little path leads to a rocky creek bed.  Liliana couldn't wait to show her cousins how well she can throw rocks. 
Ryan tried to teach her to throw underhand, but she wasn't having any of it. 
 James was more interested in climbing trees than throwing rocks, but he did launch a few.
So did Jason!
Jason also helped James find some cool artifacts including this fossil...
and this jawbone with teeth still attached. 
"Bye bye, Mama.  You can go home but we're going to stay out here all day."
May 2011

Monday, May 9, 2011

The road to St. Louis

Last week we all piled into the car and drove to St Louis for Jason and Katie's wedding.
I didn't take many pictures from the traveling part of the trip.  That particular section of I-70 isn't terribly scenic and we ate and slept on the cheap.
In fact, in some twenty six hours worth of road trip we only managed one photo worthy stop.  
Seth spent five years attending the University of Kansas and he can never resist visiting his old stomping grounds in Lawrence.  This picture shows the boys walking purposely down Massachusetts Street.  
Their destination: the Free State Brewing Company. 
The boys were delighted to find a friendly dog tied up in front.
 I was equally delighted about the prospect of yummy Free State beer.
We were seated on the upper floor of the restaurant.  James spent a lot of time peering over the edge... 
while Ryan texted and emailed his friends. 
Cheddar ale soup.  Nom nom nom!
So many choices...
Two for the road!
May 2011