trip to the joe

Obviously I'm pretty behind on blogging lately. I have excuses though! I decided to go ahead and blog my trip to St Joe even though it took forever to upload and journal the trillions of pictures. These are gonna be some extra large entries so grab a yummy drink, put a pillow behind your back and enjoy the scenery.
The kids and I flew into Kansas City on a Tuesday afternoon, so naturally Vera brought the welcome wagon of "Xander and all those kids" (so levi calls them) first thing Wednesday morning. Gracie Bella was a big hit. I'm not sure that she was ever on her own the entire two weeks we were there. Other than sleeping in the playpen, she was always being held by someone. There were oh so many willing baby holders ranging greatly in size and age.

Levi started enjoying super heroes and costumes right after our last visit to the Hopper cousins playland. This time we came prepared. He had been looking forward to playing swords and dress up with Xander and finally it happened. All the cousins arrived in dress up/super hero mode.

Outside playtime with bubbles and the sandbox. The extreme missouri summertime heat held off for our first couple of days. Then it turned on and ick!

They were kicking the bubbles and sometimes collided. Since the trip had just begun and Levi wasn't freaking out yet, they were able to take it in stride and laugh about it. Ah the good days.

See Pop's reflection in the window? He took a whole week off as soon as we got there. He got lots and lots of grandkids time!

The boys mastered the delicate art of capturing a bubble from the air back onto the wand. It's a proud moment.

They both know the drill of waiting for the picture to be taken when something noteworthy happens.

Batman, Robing, Spiderman and a Princess hard at work.

Ah yes. Auntie Vera had an abundance of kittens so she brought a couple with her one day. When there is an animal around that is all Levi can focus on. He endures scratches and mewing and lectures from me about being careful all day long; whatever it takes to have that kitty in his lap.

Levi and Ari played quite a bit this trip. Most the time it went well. They both like to argue so sometimes that ruled all but mostly they just ran as a three pack with Xander. In the picture below Levi is hiding the princess behind the couch from Xander who was chasing them with two swords while nonetheless proclaiming to be a good guy.

The girl cousins; they are outnumbered. Isabella and Sophia kept talking about how Gracie was the only girl cousin and they needed more. Vera said, "Everyone else has lots of girl cousins." Sophia looked at her for a second and said, "That's because they're all us!"

This is what was happening in the bathroom while the girl cousins delicately lounged in the bedroom.

I meant it when I said "all" the cousins wanted a piece of that baby. Even Kola so young and baby-ish himself just wanted to hold her and kiss her. She was ready to accept anyone who looked her way. I think she was a pretty encouraging and rewarding baby to oogle over.

"Of course everyone thinks you're cute. You're part bunny!" That was a quote mostly for Vera's sake from Friends. The rest of you may laugh just to feel included if you so chose.

Of course with all our time there Levi and Gracie Bella had double doses of attention from all sides. They had some cousins and grandparents and aunt and uncles to visit and delight on the Shalz house too!

I forgot Levi's jacket on one of those chilli days so while at Grandma Connie's house she had to dig something child size out of her theatre costume collection! Close enough. We visit with the horses every time. That is going to be something Levi (and soon Gracie) will always associate and remember fondly from Grandma Connie and Grandpa Neil's house. It's really rather cool.

Uncle Michael was a big hit this visit. He's fun and has cool toys. I was glad they really got to hang out and play a few times.

Kickin' back and watching an Old Western with Grandpa Neil. Good stuff.

Grandma Connie had some gorgeous flowers blooming in her front yard. I noticed them as soon as we drove up and thought "those would be good background scenery for some pictures." I was right. Bella girl was really captivated by their beauty and color.

While we were at Grandma Connie's house she got out some old paper and markers and let Levi have at it. I assumed that he would do his normal thing where he barely makes a few marks and then gets bored and moves on. But apparently the magical crafts switch flicked for him at age 4. He was focused and more precise and then he just wrote his name. Oh this old thing? Yes, his name.

And he was drawing actual pictures. Not just squiggles and lines but real things with intentions behind it. It was pretty exciting. guess we're reading for new things now. Preschool activities here we come. Kinda scary.

Levi got lots of outside time we his uncles and Grandpa while at Shalz Country. They all deserves gold stars for playing FOREVER just throwing and chasing after the wiffle ball.

Uncle Michael took on the deadly role as pitcher. Levi was a little like the Happy Gilmore of wiffle batting. He ran at the pitch and swung over his head. He hit several though, and they went far.

Awww..back to those great backdrop flowers. I'm disappointed that all the faces are a little too bright and washed out but they can't all be perfect I suppose. My children are so pale that they're always a little glowy in their photos.

Gracie Bella is the first girl the Shalz have had in a while. I think Grandpa Neil is pretty smitten with her.

So this is the first half of our trip. I have another post that I need to still to journal on so I'll just leave this a day or two to sink in. Stay tuned....