Great trip

We had a super fun trip this last week.

We left Thursday for Springfield, MO and stayed in a hotel. May I just say that Ava can tear up a hotel room better than a rockstar! Wow! And why do they have phones that are so inviting to children? We all stayed in a King size bed which is always interesting but not so restful.

Jim had an interview on Friday so we loaded in the car just around naptime and took Jim there. We drove around during the interview, Olivia watched movies, Ava slept and I read a book. Not a bad deal.

After the interview we went on up the highway to Lebanon to make a quick visit to my grandparents. Jim changed out of his interview clothes and then we were on our way to the St. Louis area. We got about 5 miles down the road and I said "You did get your suitcase right?" He replied that it was in the back. Now with all the luggage, beds, etc we have in the back of our car there was not an extra spot. So when I looked back for the luggage there in fact was an empty spot. Fortunately we were not too far so we turned around and got it. Jim said "What made you ask me about that?" I said "Sometimes nagging you pays off!" LOL!

Our next stop was to our good friends Bob and Jill and their amazingly cute and smart daughters Sophia and Julia. Their girls are 2 and 3 and they have so many toys. My girls had a great time there. Our other friend Karen and her cute little boy Peter joined us also for a little get together. We all met through the birth and death of our children, (Emma and Olivia; Bob and Jill's) (Lydia, Karen's daughter) and (Dylan our little guy!) It was just 4 1/2 years ago that we met but Im sure we are bonded for life through our tragedies. We went to a Walk to Remember on Saturday to remember our baby angels. It was a great time that incdluded a service, a walk and a balloon release.

We stayed 2 nights with Bob and Jill and then went to our old church, First Assembly of God in Edwardsville, IL It was so good to see so many dear friends. Our church is one of the few places that say of our children how big they are. They saw our little girls when they were super little.

We stayed with our friends Lindi and Jim Sunday night and then went back to my grandparents house. On our way we visited our friends Laurel, Lauren and Noel. We first met Laurel and Noel when Olivia was in the NICU. Noel is a very special little girl who was born with Downs syndrome. She is a beautiful little girl but has chosen to spend extra time in the hospital. She is scheduled to go home very soon after 3 years in the hospital! Her mom Laurel has become a very dear friend of mine.

On to Lebanon for the final week of our trip. My grandpa was chosen to be honored by the city of Lebanon for the Wall of Honor in the local community center. My mom and her 6 sisters came together to honor him and visit with each other as well. There are currently 58 members in this family and just over half of them were there. It was a great time.

My sister and her daughter came as well. We enjoyed them and took many pictures.

As an added bonus the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series! Too Awesome!

One other thing: I celebrated my 34th bday yesterday and had a great day. Many thanks to those who sent bday wishes!