We did so many things during our visit to Missouri in July that I am still going through pictures and getting these posts up to date! I'll try to hurry so I can get back to posting about life here in England.
Back to July...Eric returned to England for work, but the kids and I stayed in St. Louis for 2 more weeks. We headed back to the lake for the second weekend to enjoy more fun with close family friends.
Cora, Evelyn and Charlie
They couldn't move, but they were SO good!
Dylan and Jack became best buds for the weekend!
Dylan and Jack fishing with their grandpas. Dylan caught his first fish!
Playing the dice game...practice rounds.
Debbie, Margaret, Joan, Sheron and Pat
The wonderful moms and grandmas (Joan is almost a grandma!)
Angie, Laura, Annie, Julie, and Aggie
Our gang at the pool
My wonderful parents who helped so much with my kiddos!
Fun at the "beach" with Gigi and Lily
Another weekend that flew by way too quickly! It was fun in the sun, and a great time catching up with my friends after our kiddies went to bed. My kids used to go swimming every day of the summer when we lived in South Carolina. They had not been swimming in almost 8 months, aside from one birthday party at an indoor pool in England. I do not think there actually are any outdoor pools in England. So needless to say, Dylan and Amelia LOVED being in the water so much!
I am still playing catch up from July...After our wonderful week at the lake, we spent the next week in St. Louis. We were busy every day, and I loved it. In England, we may get together with a friend at the park occasionally, but I do not have much interaction with others. I was MORE than ready for this trip to St. Louis, and I truly enjoyed running from place to place each day.
I was so glad to be in town for my dear friend, Laura's baby shower. She actually cried when I walked in...so sweet! She is expecting TWIN boys! These are close family friends...Annie with Charlie, Laura with 2 peas in the pod, Julie with Evelyn and Me with Cora.
Great-Grandma Reed treated Amelia to her first pedicure! She wanted flowers on her toes, just like Grandma.
Pretty PURPLE toes!
We spent lots of time with Nana and Grandpa
We had a lovely time at the St. Louis ZOO with Reed, Conner, Aunt Michelle and both Grandpa Hefley and Grandpa Trost!
Time for ice cream and popsicles. See the grandpas sitting on their own bench. Smart!
American Idol sighting at the ZOO! DeAndre was in town for the Top 10 performance that evening. He was at the zoo with Jessica Sanchez.
Reed and Conner loved spending time with Cora.
Conner was sharing Woody with Cora. They were so sweet to her!
Dinner with the cousins
Lily Reed and Conner
Happy blue-eyed girl
Lily and Cora under the baby gym
Gigi and Grandpa with all of the grandkids
Take Two!
Nana and her sweeties...I was so mean to force Amelia to take a picture :(
After Cora's Baptism in St. Louis, we spent some time with Aunt Emily before she headed back to Boston. The kids had a great time with her! She took them for a walk and to the park. Eric and Dylan went to a St. Louis Cardinal's game with Nana, Grandpa and Aunt Emily. As always, we wish we could spend more time with her.
Then, we headed to the Lake of the Ozarks for the week of 4th of July. My family has been going to the lake since my mom was a baby. It is so enjoyable to watch the next generation of kids enjoy the lake as much as we do. Dylan was in absolute heaven there! We enjoyed every minute of time with our family! Boats, swimming, tubing, BBQ's, tons of playtime with cousins and even Go Carts! Dylan is already asking when we are going back to the lake.
Here are some of the MANY pictures from our week at the lake...
My brother, Ron, and Eric on the 1st of many boat rides with Reed, Conner, Dylan and Amelia
Cora's first time at the Lake of the Ozarks
Cora's first boat ride
She's all cozy with Aunt Kate (hiding Kate's adorable baby bump!)
Graham and his buddy, Dylan
Aunt Michelle and Cora looking very patriotic!
This is what the room truly looked like...kids everywhere! But so fun!
Cora had a great seat for the Cardinal's game.
Cora didn't do much swimming, but she sure looked cute in her swimming suits!
Dylan, Reed and Conner having so much fun at the pool!
Fun with Uncle Dan!
Who is having the most fun here?
Conner and Cora Amelia & Cora in their matching dresses
Floating, swimming...perfect days at the lake!
A little video of the boys jumping off the back of the boat.
Amelia and Daddy
Mommy and Amelia
Great-Grandma Reed and Marilyn enjoyed a few days with us at the lake too!
Cora and Reed
No more monkeys jumping on the bed! (or off of the bed onto the twin mattress!)
All of the adults were in the condo next door enjoying a champagne toast to celebrate Carrie and Drew's engagement! Go ahead and keep jumping, kids. :)
Congrats Drew & Carrie!
Breakfast time!
Mimi and Gigi taking a short break from helping with the grandkids
Fun at the pool with Grandpa
Dan was launching Lily, and she loved it!
Our good friends from Aiken were near St. Louis visiting family. They met up with us for a few hours on the water. It was SO great to see Rich, Raquel and Kyle! We miss them!
Kyle and Dylan (Best buds from Aiken)
Dylan and Amelia got to go for several rides on the wave runner.
Cora's first time in the lake. She was totally relaxed.
Lunch time on the boat
Dylan did a great job tubing!
Reed, Ron and Conner tubing
Conner had BIG smiles!
Ron with Reed and Dylan
Sweet Lily Sweet Cora
Dylan's twist jump off the dock
My awesome hubby and me
Cute little Samantha...she was trying to hide from the camera.
Cora and future Uncle Drew! Amelia and Aunt Michelle
The next generation...
The Hefley Grandkids
The Seidel Gandkids
I mean, how sweet are Grace and Graham?!!!!
Brooks and Uncle Josh
The Hefley Kids
Our Family
The newly engaged couple!
I'm not sure who had more fun on the go-carts: the kids or the adults! What a blast from the past! This is the same track we went to as kids...
Lily waved as they all raced by.
SOOOOO much fun at the lake this week! SOOOOO many great memories! I love my family, and I cannot wait to do this all again next summer!
