Our Trip to Missouri

We were very excited to get to take a family vacation and see Aunt Jessica. 

OFF WE GO!

 Our first stop was St. Louis, MO...The Arch

 Crossing the Mississippi River....

 Our walk to the Arch....gorgeous view!

 Welcome to big city...

 The view from the top of the arch.....

We are way up there....

bye-bye arch....

 again gorgeous....

Once we arrived to see Aunt Jess took us hiking and to see the springs.

 The gorgeous springs...

Caleb  checking out the super clear water.....

 Aunt Jess & Julia......

Such cute guys!

Our favorite part of vacation is always taking off on the back roads and checking out the countryside.

 We saw lots of grazing cattle...

 While out sightseeing on the Army Base we found this fun Arcade Game...

 Fun was had by all......

 While Aunt Jess and Justin took off to a bluegrass jam, the kids and I went to watch a FREE movie on the base.

Justin got to try on some Army gear....

We had such a great time!

Our Quick Getaway!

A few weekends ago, Justin and I took a quick trip to Nashville, TN with another couple for a little getaway. We left on a Friday morning arrived around 3:30ish their time and the first place you had to visit, according to my husband was......Cooter's! You know from DUKES OF HAZZARD? I think this might have been the highlight of the trip for him....

 I remember watching this show growing up, and now we had all the DVD's for our kids.

 

 I could not believe the magnitude of all the Duke's a Hazzard stuff!

 I bought this cute hat, I think it will come in handy in the garden this summer.

 Guess who else got a hat?

 After checking in at our hotel, we decided to head east and check out some of the  countryside.

 A beautiful sunny afternoon! We drove to a tiny town and stopped in and had supper. Then off we went to find some back roads.....We went up this steep hill on an asphalt road (one lane) that looked like a driveway. It was really gorgeous! We turned on "Bug Hallow" Road and we were amazed and we drove in the middle of no where land to see sheep grazing without being fenced in. Instead sheep dogs kept them where they were suppose to be. Below is a picture of what the road looked like.

With breathtaking views like this next one, this was my favorite part of the trip.

 On Saturday morning, we hit this INCREDIBLE HUGE flea market at the State Fair Grounds. (I was so busy looking I forgot to take pictures...I did think about it several times....) I actually didn't buy anything but I had fun looking!

Then is was off to Gruhn's (right on the main strip in Nashville.)

 

The men had a good time jamming a little bit on some vintage guitars.

 Next stop....Country Music Hall of Fame

 We got to see some LEGENDS in Country Music...like Lester Flatt

 Hank Williams.....

 

Each night we listened to live music for hours....lots of different bands...maybe even some future stars

Guess who was having a really good time.....

All that live music made him want to jump in and join them! Of course he didn't, instead we enjoyed hanging out together people watching and listening to great music.

I did stop and say "Hi" to Elvis....

Great trip! It's always good to go away with my sweetheart. I'd love to go back again.

#3 Field Trip Friday!

Our third week of field trips was a little extra special...we took a whole family trip up north a couple hours for a weekend of fun.

We have never went and spent the day on the beach...so for two days we played, we laughed, and just enjoyed being together! (Warning....LOTS of photos to follow).
What a gorgeous view as we walked onto the beach!

 Caleb enjoying every second in the water that he could...

 Lance's sand wall....

 We buried Lance in the sand...lots of giggles had by all!

 He struck a random pose and said, "Mom take my picture"....I think my kids have my #!!

 Going out to breakfast as a family is something that never really happens...this was such a treat for all of us....Zach was especially thrilled with his "create a pancake" at IHOP.

 We visited the local farmers market...a couple of the vendors has dreamy flowers bouquets. Julia wanted her picture by the sunflowers...isn't she cute?

 Then she wanted a picture on the HUGE cannon...although I was more interested in capturing her.

 Our #3 Field Trip Friday actually happened on Saturday...shhhhhh don't tell anyone! We went to the Curious Kids Discovery Zone. (There was an extreme downpour outside so we couldn't enjoy the beach.....so we spent almost 3 hours hanging out here). The first display was a huge attraction for my boys....even my biggest boy!

 Like father...like son....doesn't it look so cool? (Zach on left, Caleb on right)

 Caleb couldn't keep his hands out of water display.....fun....fun....

 Zach and Caleb climbed this wall again & again...

 Each night after spending the day at the beach we went out for some evening fun as well. The first night we went to the movie theater and watched "Smurfs".  The second night we went to an arcade and then went for ice cream.
Caleb & Justin

 Daddy & Julia

Zach, Caleb, Me, & Lance

 Our second morning we headed to Sophia's house of Pancake....Julia loved her Teddy Bear Pancake!

 Caleb ordered a 4-stacker...he's an eater so I thought he could do it....when they brought this GIANT pile of pancake....this is his BEFORE shot.......

 This is his after shot...no I didn't tell him to make that face....almost conquered it, maybe next time....

 What a fantastic time away.....I'm looking forward to many more weekend ventures!