Waiting

This was taken a couple weeks ago while waiting at an Olive Garden in Springfield. The kids were hungry and tired after a busy weekend in Branson. Hosanna-big smile as usual. Drew-active and quite the stinker. He ran away from me in the restaurant. Caleb-his look of woe cracks me up.

Tom and I Escape

Although our 9 year anniversary was back in December, we finally got around to celebrating it last week. Almost without exception, every year we enjoyed staying one night at a Bed & Breakfast...and often with a nursing baby in tow! This year, however, we decided to mix it up a little and try a fancy hotel instead. Here's a picture of the Riverfront Hyatt-view from the arch.

Oh yeah-king sized bed with pillow top mattress and fluffy pillows-I could get used to this. Our room was large with an amazing view of the arch and river:

Happy 9 1/2 Years to Us! It was so wonderful to relax and visit together. (The kids did great with their Aunt Susie!)

At the Arch with Dad and the Girls

Here is my current Facebook profile picture:
Keturah, Me, Dad, Esther, Naomi
Taken at the top of the Arch

After Keturah spent a week with us, Tom and I took her to meet Dad, Esther, and Naomi in St. Louis. We all went to the Gateway Arch together-it had been many years since I had done so, and the first time for Tom-afterwards, Dad took the girls to the Muny and Tom and I celebrated our long-overdue ninth anniversary.

Here is Dad, looking a little more alive. :)

Tom looks way, way down to this view of the Arch's shadow in the Mississippi River:

Summer

The last several weeks have been a whirlwind-an enjoyable one, yes, but a whirlwind nonetheless.
Three of my sisters each spent a week with me! You'll probably hear more about that in a future blog.
This week the kids and I are taking a break. Besides a play-date at the park with some of their cousins, absolutely nothing is on the schedule. I know, shocking! We've been doing a little of the three R's, reading, working in the yard, watching "Horton Hears a Who" and "Planet Earth" DVDs and eating peanut butter apple tortillas. I haven't been calling anyone (but don't worry, I'm always happy to answer the phone and talk to my friends!), but I have been reading a hugely long and interesting book and moping around in knit pants (not quite sweat pants-still refuse to wear those). At the end of next week, the whirlwind starts again! My family will be coming down from their home in Indy for numerous events. All of us are really looking forward to that visit.

Meanwhile, I thought I would drop back in here to blog a little and catch up on friend's blogs which I have neglected lately. I hope you are all doing well and having a fabulous summer!

Tootles,
Rachel

Strawberry Jam

This is what we have been putting on biscuits and toast lately-homemade strawberry jam! I made a traditional variety and then for the first time tried "no-cook freezer jam", which has much less sugar so that's a bonus. Also in the freezer and on the shelf is blackberry and blueberry jam. Not a lot, though, so I'd love to add to it as berry availability and time permit.

Drew with Sparklers

He never appeared afraid of the fireworks, and begged to watch and participate in them, but when it came to the sparklers he seemed a little concerned! He gave them his full concentration. Woe to anyone who got too close to him; apparently he needed his space. Funny!

With the Girls

For the past two years, for my birthday, Mara has met me in St. Louis for Quality Sister Time, of which we rarely get enough of anymore. Rowena was able to spend some time with us as well. The above picture was taken by a kindly gentlemen during a hot but pleasant afternoon touring Kimmswick, MO. I had been there once before, with Tom, and enjoyed the opportunity to go back with girlfriends who share my love of cute little towns and their cute little shops. We had lunch at the Blue Owl, famous for its foot-high pies!

Here is a picture from last year's excursion. The art museum at Forest Park, I believe. All those roses were fresh!

Thanks, Mara, I had a great time!

The Kids

Visiting at my Grandparents' house last week, the kids enjoyed picking flowers with Grandma and then posing by Grandpa's lawn mower.

(If you look carefully, you may notice Caleb's top teeth-two of which were ready to pop out!)