The big easy

The first day we got into town, we stopped that the Aquarium. Here we had a bit of fun.

At Pat O'Brien's enjoying dueling pianos.

The second day of sightseeing, we headed out of the city for a swamp tour in a bayou. There were many gators, birds, and sights to see.

One day, we had a couple hours to kill before dinner, and the tourist lady suggested the trolley. For $2.50 round trip, we traveled through the city, garden district, and Mardi Gras parade route. It lasted an hour and a half and was worth it. What a beautiful place.

We took a day trip to Biloxi, Mississippi. We saw the remnants from Katrina, took a little tour, and of course found a mini golf course. It is the only one that rebuilt after Katrina.

This is the ferry that we took everyday. It is expensive to park in the French Quarter, so we took the free ferry and paid the $1 toll for the bridge on the ride home.

At the New Orleans Zepher's minor league baseball team. It is triple-A for the Florida Marlins. We were winning until one player from the other team hit two grand slams. We lost 10-5.

It was Dave's birthday while in New Orleans so we made the best of it. We started the day with a walking tour of the French Quarter. It was hot! But we loved it...and learned a ton about the Quarter. What a neat place. If you ever go, let us know, we will tell you the best things to see.

Our tour guide in front of St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. It was amazing inside.

For lunch, we walked to Emeril Lagasse's flagship restaurant. The food was great, a bit of fine dining for us. What a treat!

Then, we walked around the block to the National World War 2 Museum. They played a 4-D movie about D-Day. Worth all the money to see.

Here was our dinner...holding hands, I mean claws. I am seafood-ed out. It was weird to see our waiter walk by with the lobsters directly out of the tank to the kitchen...right past us. We saw our food both alive and dead. It was delicious, but too much for me. I don't think I will do that again.

We decided to take a stroll through Harrah's. It was on the way to the ferry and it was his birthday so why not test our luck. Come to find out, there is a birthday slot machine. He won a free buffet! It was lunch the next day.

Total we walked out of there with an extra $11.

Our meals were paid for!

One the last night, we took a steamboat dinner cruise on the Creole Queen. They had a jazz band playing. It was sweet.

A couple celebrities that we met in New Orleans. Here I am proudly standing with Anderson Cooper from CNN.

We met and talked with two major league baseball players at the Zephers game. And this is Chazz Palminteri who always plays a gangster role in movies. Dave noticed him and talked to him a bit. He is best known for his role of Sonny in a Bronx Tale.

Busch Stadium from a new view

Since we will be out of town in New Orleans over Dave's birthday, I wanted to take Dave on a tour of Busch Stadium, so we did it before we left. Accompanied by our friends Mandy and Ryan, we had a blast and learned a ton about Busch Stadium. We Love the CARDINALS!!!

Cardinal Dugout

Ryan and Dave having a race on the warning track

Calling the bullpen. While we were there, Kyle Lohse was doing some rehab work. We got to see a player too. What a day.

What a great view from the field. The stadium has an incredible view of the Arch in the background.

This is one of the large party rooms. This wallpaper is the personal baseball card collection of Bill DeWitt (owner of the Cards). They enhanced the pictures, blew them up, and turned it into something spectacular.
Us four in the dugout. During the next game, Dave and I both pointed out many of times where we were in that dugout and which major league player was standing there one day later. Pretty incredible feeling. I love taking tours of our favorite places.
This is the ball that Mike Shannon sits on every game to announce for the radio. He even takes one on the road. An interesting fact.
Us in the press box.

After the tour, I ordered a Gus's Pretzel in the shape of the Stl emblem. If you have never had a Gus's you must stop through and buy one. They are delicious.
We stopped then in Soulard for lunch at Hammerstones. A great little hideaway! What a fun day...it was a fantastic weekend.

I turned 27!

June 12th was my 27th birthday. We started the day at the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure. I have only gone once before, and had a blast. Plus, I really wanted Dave to see the breathtaking view. As you come down a hill on the streets of downtown St. Louis, you are able to see thousands and maybe millions of people all supporting women!




We went with our friends Mandy and Ryan with their little guy Brendan and their families. Ryan's mom died of breast cancer in November, so it was wonderful for all of us to honor her memory.



Josie was hilarious, she fell asleep as soon as we started walking the race on the tray of her stroller. It was 90+ degrees and smoking hot, but she seemed comfy!





After the race, we made our way to my mom's house for lunch and drop Josie off. She spent the night with grandma and grandpa. That night we played in a Texas Hold'em tournament. We play monthly at our church and have a great time every time we go. Even though it is for the church, don't let it fool you, it is competitive. Dave and I both made it to the final table but we both didn't make it to the final five. I was 6th. Oh-well, there's always next month.

our family became 5 on our 5 year anniversary!

June 3rd, 2010 was the five year anniversary of the day that Dave and I were married. This was a big day for us. A week and a half before, we found out we are pregnant. No, we weren't really trying nor denying it, we just decided to let God tell us when we were ready. The doctor had an appointment for us, and ironically it was on our anniversary, so we took it. Kind of neat, we thought.

But at the doctor, the biggest surprise of our lives came. During the ultrasound, my doctor looks at me and said, "Do you see what I see?" I said, "I see two, but please tell me no more!" No, only two...TWINS!!! Words could not explain our feelings. I looked at Dave, holding Josie, and he had a huge grin on his face. And I could not stop saying, "Oh My God!" and covering my mouth.

This pregnancy will be completely different from Josie. The first 20 weeks, I receive 2 ultrasounds, and am expected to gain at least 20 pounds. Every time after 20 weeks when I go to the doctor, I receive an ultrasound. I get to keep a good eye on these two. My official due date is January 15th, but they will not let me go past January 1st...a new year set of twins. Kind-of neat, but I don't want one born in 2010 and one in 2011, that's just too much. Realistically, we will have 3 kiddos by the end of 2010.

This news has turned us upside down. We can live 3 in our house, but it will take some rearranging. Anything we haven't used in a couple of years is out. That includes the Pier 1 candle collection. I will have 3 babies under 2 years, who needs candles?? Times are changing around here and we are up for the challenge.
Well Lord, you gave us these gifts, I guess you know we will take the challenge with open arms.

Our 5 year picture #1...


Our 5 year picture #2...


From this first ultrasound, they think they are fraternal. I will get more specifics in a month when I get another one. They may adjust my due date, depending on their size, and let us know if they see any problems. My doctor kept reiterating that since I have already had a full term pregnancy, I have good odds of making it all the way to the end without bed rest or early delivery. Let's pray for full term!


Josie will never remember life without the twins. I am glad I took so many pictures from the beginning. She is going to be so fun around these two, I can see it now!

a sick month 9

Josie made it through the winter with barely a runny nose, and now that spring has begun, the poor baby is having trouble staying healthy. First, it started with a cold, that lead to an ear infection. After the ear infection, she developed broncholitis, and had to be put on asthma medicine and a nebulizer. To add to it, Roxie thought that Josie and I were playing and accidentally scratched Josie. And now, still with a runny nose and woke up with a slight fever this morning. I think that this fever is from some new teeth coming in. She is drooling like crazy. Please Lord, heal my baby!

She took the nebulizer pretty well. It had to be administered for 10 minutes, and the first 5 are pretty easy, but the last 5 she became pretty antsy. We would sing to her, talk to her, distract her anyway we could. We had to do this at first every 4hours, then every 6, then 8, until we weaned her off, but it lasted over two weeks. These are pictures from the end of the 2 weeks, by now she was a pro.




Just some other pics. She can walk around furniture, and behind push toys. Every once in a while she will stand on her own, but has not been brave enough to start walking. But I am sure soon the day will be upon us.