the summer with Josie

I love being home!!! (even though I am getting a bit of an itch to get back to school...a feeling that can be easily ignored =)

This summer, Josie and I have made it a point to get out a ton and visit the St. Louis area to experience all it has to offer. We have been to the Arch, Botanical Gardens, Butterfly House, St. Louis Carousel, Magic House, Ted Drewes, The Hill, and W&P Train Station. We are currently volunteering at our church for Vacation Bible School. We also have been hitting the pool often! She has been trooper, playing through nap times, and behaving wonderfully. We have learned how independent and exciting our little one can be. She is one heck of a social being. She watches people everywhere and studies. What a fun lady she has become.

As well as becoming a tourist, she has also become a full fledged eater! No more formula for Josie!!! Yeah, for mommy and daddy. She will eat anything that we give her and for now, she loves her fruits and veggies.

Here are some photos of the fun! And this was only June and July...we still have August before I go back to school. We are not done yet...


Josie's first ride on a carousel. It was hard to hold her and take a good picture. She liked the stationary house much better than the moving one, but still had a good time.

Josie and Brendan checking out and trying to follow the fast moving butterflies. They were whizzing by and there were tons of them. Even though in the climatron was terribly hot, it was worth the site.

Josie on one of the butterfly chairs. I want one at home...they are so cute!

We went to the Butterfly House with our friends, Mandy and Brendan. After surviving the intense humidity of the butterfly's climatron, we cooled off in the learning center, with costumes, books, games, and toys. Here is Mandy helping Josie stack the blocks.
Josie the little butterfly!

At the train, we were able to ride a mini train into the wilderness. Overall, it was cute for Josie. She loved having the wind hit her in the face and watching all the trees go by.

The whole train.

Dave's aunt came into town for her birthday, and the gift she wanted was to spend time with all her nieces and nephews. So we went many places, here is the Magic House. Most of it was dedicated to the older children, but we found a spot for 0-24 month kiddos, and Josie had a blast. She wanted to spend more time here. It had ramps, mirrors, and so much more.

And a ball pit. We have an unfilled sandbox at home, forget the sand, I am buying plastic balls.

She picked apples at a part of the Magic House.

Also with Aunt Barb, we took Josie on her first trip to the top of the Arch. I was worried about her ears, but no complaints! She loved climbing on the ramps and looking out to the city. We had a gorgeous day! Notice Busch Stadium in the background...of course!

On the ride up with Dave's mom, Cathy. If you have ever ride in this egg, you know what a tight squeeze we had to maneuver to get this shot.

At the Botanical Gardens. We took a break from the stroller and let Josie show off her new skills of walking. She is getting better and better everyday. What a big girl! Her face here cracks me up!

Aunt Barb, Nana, Josie, and myself at the Botanical Gardens.