New Year's Eve

Today we first went downtown to the Yards Park (on the Waterfront next to Jim's work).  They had a kid's party.  We watched a band play under the tent while waiting for the balloon drop at noon:

"Happy Noon Year!"

Avery then got to go into one of the coolest bounce houses, into the shark's mouth:

We then ate lunch at a new brew pub by Jim's work called BlueJacket Brewery

They have real high quality food (the kid's noodles are house-made pasta noodles, the warm pretzels had hand-made mustard, the Cesar Salad had real anchovies, etc) and the beer was very good too!  They had tasters for $2 or full glasses for $6, all made in-house and in a restored old big warehouse.

Then we walked around Georgetown and did some deal shopping at the stores, before heading to a family yoga party at a yoga studio called Lil Ohm Yoga Studio in DC.

First was the yoga:

Followed by a pizza party and 6pm countdown and celebration.

Then we headed home, put Avery to bed, and enjoyed watching the New Year's celebration on TV with champagne in front of the fireplace!  Happy New Year!

St Louis Visit

We went for a quick visit to St Louis to visit friends and family on the weekend between Christmas and New Year's.  We landed in St. Louis on Friday night and headed to Jim's mom's house.  On Saturday we woke up and headed to Einstein Bagels in Webster Groves

We then headed downtown to the Arch.  After buying tickets, we went for a run around the area:

 

While we were running, Grandma and Grandpa watched Avery and cousin Emily:

 

Then it was finally time to go up in the little pods and up into the Arch.

At the top Avery loved the view down, even if it was a little creepy laying down and looking out the windows!

After we came back down we took a few more pictures by the Arch:

 

Then on Saturday evening the cousins had a pajama party at Aunt Julie's house (Jim's sister).  The girls had so much fun playing together!  First they played dress up:

 

Avery especially loved dressing up as a doctor

 

And dressing up in other outfits and practicing other professions as well.  Olivia showed her all the options in her play room!

 

 

They played for hours.  We had originally planned a movie night pajama party but they just kept playing and didn't want to stop for a movie:

 

 

 

On Sunday Avery (and us) went to see Great Grandma Shirley (Jim's Stepdad Ted's Mom)

And then went to see Great Grandma Dahlem (Jim's paternal Grandma).  Avery loved putting on the animal masks with her!

 

 And she loved putting on flapper headwear :)

Then we were off to eat at Pi Pizzeria in Kirkwood  (It was the first time Colleen had real authentic deep dish Chicago-Style pizza) and Avery got to visit with Great Grandma Harper (Jim's maternal Grandma).  After that we came back to Jim's mom's house in Fenton and opened presents for a late Christmas.

On Monday morning we woke up very early, headed to the airport, and flew home from a very busy two day trip to St Louis!  Avery was excited to pick up Kylie from dog camp, and it seemed the feeling was mutual as they snuggled up in the back seat together on the drive home:

Apple Picking

We went to our favorite pick your own farm, Lariland Farm, to pick some apples yesterday.  (Lariland uses integrated pest management instead of pesticides!). Avery enjoyed picking the Empire and Magnolia Gold.

The Red Delicious weren't as flavorful though. Those three were available now but throughout the fall there will be 12 more varieties ripening so we will be back a few times!

They also have so many other fruits and vegetables to pick!  In the summer we picked blueberries, raspberries, and beets.  Well yesterday we picked spinach and Swiss chard!

We also picked more raspberries (we never thought raspberries and blackberries would still be available this late in the season!).

Next week broccoli and more become available too.

Lariland starts their fall festival next week too.  They were constructing the hay maze, characters to see on wagon ride through the forest, and more.  They also were setting up "spooky" things around the farm! 

We can't wait to come back to pick more vegetables, apples, pumpkins, wagon rides, and enjoy the fall fun there!