St Louis Reunion 2009

A lot can change in 15 years...

1994 (high school)- Christina, Lisa, Whitney, & Amie

2009- Amie, Christina, Lisa, & Whitney

I recently got back in touch with 3 of my best friends from high school (gotta love facebook!) We all went to church together, and these girls were there to get me through some of my toughest times & best times! So we decided we would get together for a girls weekend in St Louis- our old stomping ground!

Amie & I

Lisa, me, & Christina


Lisa and I flew in on Friday afternoon (the other two still live in the area!) It was so weird for me to visit again, as it had been over 10 years since my last trip! It had also been about 10 years since I saw Lisa & Christina.. so we all had tons to catch up on! On Friday we got a late lunch & went to this wonderful place called The Cupcakery for dessert! I've decided I need to open one of these places- LOVED IT! That evening we went out for Mexican and then relaxed at the hotel and talked until wee hours of the morning!

Saturday we ate lunch at an old favorite & then spent the day shopping! That evening we headed over to a family get together & saw some old friends before grabbing a quick/late dinner! Once again staying up entirely too late. Afterall, we are not 16 anymore...

Sunday we ate Italian food for lunch & did a bit more shopping before dropping Lisa & I off! I had SO much fun & cannot wait until our next trip! We already have it planned- June in Phoenix (where Lisa lives!)

It's amazing how much has changed in the last 15 years (our lives & our looks), but some things never change- how much I love those girls & how much fun we have together! I literally had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard! Good times :)

Thanks to Amie & Christina for picking out a great place to stay! A wonderful location & great setup- we had a separate kitchen & family room which ended up working out so well!

Going to see Santa 2009

So, he wasn't a huge fan of Santa... but he didn't cry! :)

18 Month Pics

Here are a few of Austin's 18 month pics (taken at 19 months.) He was not cooperative during the photo shoot, so I was happy that there ended up being ANY good ones.

Halloween 2009

Austin was a lion for Halloween this year- what a cutie! After a beautiful day at the pumpkin patch, we went to dinner with Jared, Leah & Reid and then headed home. Thankfully it had cooled down a bit... since Austin was wearing head-to-toe fleece! We took some pictures & then visited a few neighbors! Kevin & Kristen also brought their Star Wars boys over to visit!

The lion!

Sam, Seth, Scott, & Austin

Skeleton pjs- thanks Gigi!

Austin loves candy, so he's already looking forward to next year!

Pumpkin Patch- Take 2

We decided to try the pumpkin patch again- this time we went with our friends Jared, Leah & Reid on Halloween! This visit was MUCH better! Austin was feeling better, and I think it helped to have a friend his age there with us! Jared and Leah also brought their wagon, which helped a LOT! The weather was beautiful- almost like a summer day!!

On our way to the pumpkin patch- look at that sweet face!!

Chilling in the wagon!

Okay, this could could be a drill sergeant, am I right? So serious!

Riding the tractors

Playing with the pumpkins

Leah, Jared & Reid

Shane, me & Austin

Checking out the hay maze

Looking at the animals- ducks, chickens, pigs, goats (LOVED this part!)

We had a great time!

October 2009- Random

This post is nothing exciting~ just wanted to document a few things Austin is doing these days!

Austin loves to get in the laundry basket AFTER Max has already gotten in. As you can tell, Max is not a small cat- and there is not room for both of them in the basket. But Austin makes it work.. :) He really loves interacting with both Max and Jack lately!

He loves to put his hands in his hair while he eats- this is the result.

Austin now sits at the table with us for dinner! He really likes his booster seat and thinks he's a big boy now!

He thinks it's so much fun to for me to put food (goldfish, cereal, M&Ms) in the mini muffin pan. He gobbles them up and then brings it back into the kitchen for me to fill up. It takes forever to eat a snack this way.... but he loves it!

Pumpkins Patch- Take 1

We decided to head to the pumpkin patch with my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and niece... even though Austin wasn't fully recovered from his upper respiratory infection. It probably wasn't the best idea because he ended up being in the WORST mood. Granted, he is never easy to take pictures of, but it was extra difficult that day! Overall, not the best trip- but we definitely enjoyed the company!

He liked riding the tractor- but I had to help him because he's still a bit small to ride them!

Austin's cousin, Evie (isn't she sweet?)

THIS is the best picture we got of Austin & Evie together... yep. Notice how interested he is in her shoes/toes! :)

Shanna, Mat & Evie

Shane, me & Austin (another fabulous family picture....)

Checking out the pumpkins