St. Louis

We took our first family family vacation as a family of 4 to visit Gracie, and it was a TOTAL success!! I was very nervous [understatement].  The trek through the airport was concern #1.

 2 suitcases, 2 strollers, 2 car seats, 2 pieces of luggage, 2 diaper bags, and 1 pack-n-play later, we got ourselves checked in!

Walter slept and ate pretty much the whole time we traveled,

and Henry made new friends, watched planes, and talked about planes nonstop.

 

Concern #2 was not getting any sleep since we'd be on the go and in a new place:

Sleep was not an issue for this crew!

At the suggestion of one of Gracie's friends, we checked out the City Museum.  It was awesome!!

There was a bus that hung off the roof (18 stories):


There was a Ferris wheel on the roof:

Ball pits galore:

An airplane:

A fire truck:

A train:

Big Boy (which terrified Henry!):

And a window with pinwheels in the elevator!!

Later that afternoon, we went to the Arch. The 4th festivities went on all weekend, so there was plenty to do!

We also got lucky enough to catch an air show. Henry LOVED it!

  Walter also got quite a bit of entertainment from the excitement.

We also took an afternoon trip to the zoo.  Henry has a serious fascination with animals, so we are still talking our zoo trip, two weeks later!

 The sea lion exhibit was fabulous. 

 We spent a lot of time looking at the monkeys, Henry's favorite animal of the moment. 

Henry also rode on the carousel while we waited for Aunt Gracie to get off call and meet us. 

 

I had Walter dressed all cute and appropriate for zoo day.... but alas, we had a little accident and had to change. Typical for this child. :)

 

Henry loved the train.  He did not love the train ride being over.

We were lucky enough to make it to the zoo two weeks after this elephant was born.  Isn't it ADORABLE?!?

 

Such a good Aunt. Henry is still asking if we're going to see Aunt Gracie when we load up in the car.

 

 We also braved one dinner out in public.  We decided on Fitz's (family friendly).  We managed to keep Henry entertained for the 30 minute wait.

 And got lucky enough to be seated next to the bottling machines.  That gave us at least 2 minutes of peace during dinner....

 "Cheese!"

I could not be prouder of this girl.  She may be tiny, but she's one brilliant, kind, beautiful woman.  She's also brave - she let this crazy crew come visit her 3 days into her fellowship.  I know this next year is going to fly by, and then she will be free to rule the world.  Well, the pediatric ophthalmology world, that is. :)