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Friday, March 30, 2012

Walking in the Park

John had Friday off and what a better way to spend the day than a walk in the garden in Spring.  The weather has been bizarrely warm lately.  Way too warm for March.  What does this mean for July??  I wouldn't mind some 60 and 70 degree days before summer actually gets here.  It's decision time again...we are considering the financial consequences of selling our house here in O'Fallon to move across the river to the St. Louis area.  There are so many things to consider and I had hoped that this would take place not until at least next year.  We are only going to go through with it if we don't go into the red with the sale.  I am torn about moving.  This house has grown on me and I can hardly imagine leaving now.  But change has always been good for us.  So our seasons are changing again! 









Thursday, March 29, 2012

Zion National Park

John and I got to go on an amazing little adventure to Utah recently.  It was only a couple days, but it was awesome.  We started out in St. Louis with 2 1/2 hour delay at the airport due to severe thunderstorms in the area.  So, we were late getting to Las Vegas where we planned to drive from to get to the park.  However, there was a winter storm advisory up for the Utah area, so we stayed the night in Las Vegas and headed up the next morning.  It's a gorgeous drive entering the mountains.  As you approach the park, there is a little one road town you enter towered by mountains on either side.  We stayed at the Desert Pearl Hotel and will stay there again...loved it.  It snowed while we were there, so I was able to capture some pretty amazing shots of winter in the mountains even though we had planned on it being in the 60's!  We only had 2 1/2 days to visit, day three finally broke out the sun and started to warm up a bit.  If you are interested, you can view the whole set here.  It was so hard choosing which ones to use on the blog!

Click on picture to view as slide show






















Monday, March 5, 2012

Orchids Show

One of my favorite times at the St. Louis Botanical Garden is when the orchids are put on display.  This year's display was designed around the Chinese theme.  Click on first picture to view in slide show!

















Sunday, March 4, 2012

Springfield, Illinois-Day Trip

Beki had another Show Choir competition up in Springfield last weekend, so John and I drove up for the day.  While in the Capitol, we decided to tour Abraham Lincoln's home.  We had lunch and headed over to the competition.  They made finals, placing 5th overall.  They also won the People's Choice Award! 










  





We are getting closer and closer to graduation!  Can't believe the year is almost over.  Beki and I went Prom dress shopping last week and discovered that the price of prom dresses has escalated over the years!  Wow!  We had to do some convincing (coercing :o)) to get dad to help contribute to the "dress fund."  She is going to be absolutely beautiful.  We are picking it up tomorrow.  This is my last prom with my girls.  Beki has decided to go to Missouri State University next year.  I'm relieved knowing Ari and Anthony will be there with her.  So, with Beki leaving soon, John and I have some big decisions ahead.  We have talked to our realtor to get an idea about what the market is like in this area.  Kind of thinking there's going to be a move in my near future!  He is already looking at homes in the St. Louis area as we will probably stay in the area.

The Gift

  Delivered this week, a gift I never expected arrived in the mail.  This story begins, it seems a lifetime ago, when I worked at Owens Comm...