Watering the Lawn

Here is what happens when Kevin waters the lawn.  I am in clothes since I was bringing Gwyn out, but she didn't like the sprinkles.  Then I just started playing with the boys.

Best Seat In The House

Zoo Trip With Aunt Betsy

We went to the zoo this week with Aunt Betsy.  (She is Kevin's aunt, and the kids' great aunt.)  We all had so much fun, and Aunt Betsy knew about every animal the boys asked about!  The zoo isn't on the summer list of things to do, probably because we go all the time.  As of now, there are only 4 tings left on the list!  Woo hoo!  I am determined not to have a long list of things to do in July, since I want everything done.

Here are some pictures from the zoo!

This Flight Cage was built for the 1904 World's Fair.  It is older than the zoo itself.

What ever her brother did, Gwyn had to do.  Here she is standing on the fence, just like Colin.

On the train ride, through the tunnel, Colin could tell Gwyn was scared.  I saw him grab her leg to make her feel better.

Yea!!  The boys wanted their pictures taken!  I have about 30 pictures from the penguin and puffin exhibit.

Kevin really wanted this picture.

Colin tried to get a picture with Gwyn, but she wouldn't cooperate.

The boys were pushing the stroller, so Gwyn had to climb out and push the now-empty stroller.

Here is part of the bear pits, built in 1921, and one of the first in the world to mimic natural habitats and bot have bars.  The pits are being remodeled soon to give the bears more room and update facilities.

Gwyn's favorite part of the kitchen in the Insectarium was opening and closing the fridge.

I love this part of the Insectarium.  The wood is weaved into shaped, and the you can see the ants carrying leaves all along it

Random Pictures That The Boys Took On The Camera

Kevin Puts Gwyn Down

 Kevin has been wanting to put Gwyneth down.  He is adorable.  He pours her milk in her bottle (I know, I know, a bottle.  But she only gets it at bedtime and morning.) then warms the milk.  Then he puts the bottle together, goes upstairs and lets her sit in his lap.  He tried to read her books, but she is so big he can't really see around her.  I love it!

Look how big she is!

Fun. Concert

I went to the Fun. concert with Suzanne last weekend.  It was such a great concert!  I have not been to a concert in years, and I loved it.  I have been listening to their new album for a few weeks, and it a one of those cds I can listen to the entire thing.  You probably know the song "We Are Young" but it wasn't even the song I was most excited to hear.  The link to their website has the video for their next release "Some Nights" which is great, but the video annoys me.

Erin and Darren's Wedding

This past weekend I was in Wichita for my friends Erin and Darren's wedding. Here is the story.

I started out my 6.5 hour drive Thursday morning at 8.  I was going to meet Megan, Hannah and Olive Kerr in KC for lunch, and then planned to be in Wichita by 3.  Around 10:30, the Jetta was setting off alarms to notify me that the engine was overheating.  All this happened about 15 miles from Odessa, MO.

I figured that maybe to coolant was low, so after waiting to let the engine cool a bit, and stopping each time the temp went back up, I made it to Odessa in under an hour.  (Yea!) Getting there I find out that not only is the coolant level fine, but Jettas require a very specific type of coolant anyway, which can only be purchased at a dealership. Loooooong story short, I was very lucky to find a mechanic that not only looked at my car the moment I wandered into the shop, but also previously owned a VW.  (Not too many VWs worked on in podunk MO.)  I was told (accurately) that the car will overheat if it exceeds 3000 rph, or roughly 50 mph.  Not much else can be done in Odessa.

Thankfully Kevin had a rental waiting for me in KC, I just had to get there. So I drove back-roads all the way to KC.  It reminded me how much I enjoy the hills and turns when driving through Missouri!

Not the best picture of the roads, but you know what I am talking about if you have seen them.

I was able to make it to the Kerr's around 2:30, and was back on the road by 4.

And I got there at the end of naptime!

I finally made it to Wichita just in time for a 7:00 appointment!  (Those noticing will realize that was an 11 hour drive!)  It is like the fates were reminding me that I do not belong in Kansas.  That, and those lovely billboards you see on the side of the highway.

And this is a nice, nonviolent one!

Thankfully, Erin is the coolest bride ever and didn't mind at all that I missed the 5:00 appointment (or that I recently dyed my hair and another bridesmaid got another tattoo).  She understood that I may have needed to walk the last few hundred miles or make SteveKerr drive me - I was going to get there. 

Not only a nice bride, but a beautiful one too!

The rehearsal dinner was Friday night, and I met my groomsman-counterpart for the second time.  (The first time was brief, but I was able to share a fascinating story on outhouses.  This time I shared a story on the Halifax explosion - do I ever make people feel better after meeting me?) He was so nice, and he and the other groomsmen laughed when I asked them if they talk to all women like they are idiots, or just me.  I am glad they got my humor.  And that they stopped explaining things like "Stanford is near San Francisco."

Time for the rehearsal!  I love this picture!

Erin and Darren are one of the coolest couples.  One reason is that they let me crash at their house when I visit.  Another reason is that the wedding was held at Exploration Place.   The third reason is that the place (kind of like our Science Center) was having a STAR WARS exhibit!  I had to take pictures just for my boys.  Seriously, there were storm troopers and characters walking around while we were there on Friday!

Don't mess with me.  My boyfriend will kill you with his mind.  Unless you are Chuck Norris.  Then it is a draw.

Erin and her niece Tatum.  She was the flower girl.

Another great picture of Erin, and Darren even made it into this one!

During the rehearsal I saw this "river" boat.  It was giving rides for the Wichita "River" Festival that was going on about 1/2 mile away.  I use quotations since Kevin and I laugh at those who call this a river.  It isn't a river to us unless you can die jumping into it.  And we are not talking about death from contamination from the local sewage plant. 

The wedding day finally arrived.  We started getting out hair done at 11:00, which actually gave us p[lenty of time for food and relaxing before pictures around 4:30.  (If anyone is planning on having a wedding soon, ask Erin to plan it.  Not only was everything well-planned, but she was very laid back about it all.  And a VERY fun bride to hang out with!)  Pictures with family and the wedding party were before the before the 7:00 ceremony.  Then the guests had a cocktail hour while the wedding party took more pictures.  (These were so fun!  And I am very excited to see what Sara Mac Photography and Darrin Hackney Photography captured.) The reception (and said cocktail hour) were also at Exploration Place, which was amazing.

Myself and Tracy, Erin's new sister-in-law.

Erin and me before the ceremony.  I spent a few minutes holding a fan, reminding me of out ANTM days.

Per Tracy's request, the purple made an appearance.

The reception was so much fun.  I danced for hours.  I have several stories, but I either don't want to type them, or they will be easier to tell in person.  All I know is that I had a blast and was so glad to be a part of this wedding.  I only cried twice too!  (The first time was when she walked down the aisle, and the second time was when I gave my speech.)  Erin's family has always been so wonderful to me, and it was heartwarming to see them all again!

The groom and myself.

Erin's dance with her dad, Joe.

Coolest. Bride. Ever.      Chucks.

A Weekend in Wichita

I am returning to Wichita this weekend for the wedding of a dear friend, Erin.  She was my best friend for most of my 5 years there, and when we get together it feels like no time has passed.  I am so honored to have been asked to be a part of her and Darren's wedding.  (If you are wondering my thoughts on him - love him.  Pretty much knew within 5 minutes that they would end up married. He is wonderful now, and will be a great husband!)

I will include some pictures when I return to St. Louis.  So why post now?  Well, I do about 95% of the posts on this blog.  (Can't you tell by all the typing errors?) But I have a couple posts timed to go up after I leave.  I want Kevin to have surprises when I am gone. I know that he and the kids will have fun while I am gone, but I want to give him a smile when he checks the blog on a break at work.  He is such a great husband and amazing father.  I love him very much!