St. Louis

Seems like so long ago, but yes! We went on an amazing trip, our annual sojourn to St. Louis. This year we put it in fun hyperdrive with the fine fine company of Matt's fam from all sides of the U.S.! Joining us were Seattle Knight Aunts/Uncs/Cuzs' Melinda Mark Max and Madeline and Nebraska Cerney grandparents Jim and Julie. I'm sure you can guess that such a line up could only lead to merriment ... indeed it did!

Our hotel was overall fantastic. Hot cookies every day and a jaw dropping hotel bar with projection ceilings were standouts.

Brock loves a good hotel rumble.

First night in and we go out with Jim and Julie to get some delicious local cheese and meat bites.

art and smiles were made

How did we go from a dinner pic to this otherwordly scene? None other than our annual visit to the City Museum! This year was beyond a blast with the cousins' various skill levels and interests.

And here is the proof! all of us together prior to entry to this inspiring place.

Ah, two intrepid guides take us forth into the deep tunnels.

 A look up the ten stories of fun.

 trapped in the tubes! Who needs knee pads when you have booty?

Outside fancies in the fountain.

 Max, always the adventurer and a bit of a waterbug, took a dive into the dip! It turned into a wonderfully wet frolic.

 

 

 

 

Brock was quite brave. As long as we were there. His dexterity since last year is almost incomparable. We got to explore so much more of the museum this year (having cousins around certainly gave us some different views of the place as well!).

 yes, a ferris wheel. on the roof!

 

 Brock is a new fan of the wheel and happy for a ride. Although you can't tell that from his intense deadpan.

Max demonstrates the proper expression for a ferris wheel ride.

trucking up for a trip down the big slide.

 

 

balls. that is alls.

 Madeline's mad climbing skills take center stage four stories up. Matt follows along for a great view!

 Brock was very proud of his structure. I think he built this all on his own, but I just can't remember. This toddler room we spent all of our time in the past two years. On this trip we visited it at the end for fifteen minutes. Oh times have changed. City Museum, we love you so!

No better start to a new day than the donut energy bomb.

 

 

Taste runs in the genes obviously. In terms of the donut, it may be true than all humans are family.

today's mission... the famous St. Louis Arch!

In line waiting to go up (actually down I think, but not willing to reorganize pictures for accuracy).

Here we are at the top looking through the tiny viewing windows.

 

After a nap, we return for a river boat view of the Arch.

Almost every day began and break-ed at the hotel pool. There was some shenanigans with actually opening the pool at 6am when they said it would be open, but besides that, the kids and adults had a blast.

I am already forgetting when we ate at the great greek breakfast place, but we did. All eating excursions were greatly enhanced by a focused study on gum usage and placement in a given restaurant demographic. As you can see, the kids are deep in their research. 

 

After breakfast, we headed to the home of Budweiser, Grant's Farm (or maybe we didn't, again, I am forgetting the order of when we did the greek breakfast). The visit began with a train tour of the grounds including many a selection of hoofed mammals. Here are the longhorns.

 

A splendid carousal ride followed. We finally convinced Brock to not sit on the bench but sit on an animal.

Elephant show.

Brock delighted in feeding the goats.

 

Madeline preferred watching the boys get personal with their "kid" friends.

Where'd my corn go?

Everyone needs a flat penny souvenir in their lives! For about 24 hours, which is the normal life span of a flat souvenir penny before it gets lost. 

After Grant's Farm, and for Jim's grand finale (had to dash off to teach a class in Cali) we late lunched at Schalafly's, a favorite of ours for local microbrews and good food.

The kids took the liberty of expressing their reflections on hop/malt flavor profiles in their brews. I am sure it was greatly appreciated by Schalafly's.

Our last and final day of fun was spent at the Magic House. I think my favorite kid's museum thus far.

 

 

 

 

They had this very fun exhibit where you could color a fish and then make the fish come to life digitally in a surround aquarium. I also made a floating Murray for Brock but I must have somehow deleted the pick. Anyhow, weeeeee!

Brock loved the mini vet's clinic. 

mini hamster run! adorable. This kitty became Brock's best friend. 

 Here he is checking out kitty.

 

 Madeline was a most exact and friendly cashier. In fact, I made money off the exchange I think.

 

 

 Can you guess who these cuties are?

 

Well, yet again, I find myself capping with a thanks to the universe for #1.) having the funnest family around #2.) letting us get together to do these awesome trips #3). for adventurous soles that lead us to interesting places (and far too taxing blog entries... tee hee!) Love you guys!! For more pics and views, visit the St. Louis entry on the Knight's Life blog.