More Pics from Our Missouri Trip

Aunt Juju got Lance a fishing hat. He looked so cute fishing!

Lexie and my oldest niece, Oaklie

Lance and Uncle Scott

Lexie and Papa

Aunt Juju loves taking Lexie's pictures

Aunt Holly with Alea and Megan

All 11 grand kids 

Headed back to our Alaska home

Our trip went by so fast! We are already headed back home. I can tell we are close because its the middle of the night and it's getting lighter and lighter outside as we get closer. 

We got to spend lots of much needed time with family & friends. There are still so many people that we wanted to visit with, but didn't get a chance.

I think my favorite part of the trip was a fishing trip with my dad and Lance to our secret spot. 

As usual our spot proved to be an awesome spot. We reeled in several big blue gill, large mouth bass and crappie. Lexie loved handing papa the fish to skin out.

 That evening for supper (my parents don't say dinner lol) we had corn fresh from the field, squash fresh from the garden and fish straight out of the pond. It was yummy! 

Me and my sisters got to spend a girls day together. Julie and I got pedicures while Sarah wanted a manicure. I say wanted because the nail salon was so busy and never got to her. Julie and I was done and they were no where near close to getting to Sarah. It made me kind of upset since I had actually called and made us appointments. O well, what ya gonna do. 

The kids had a blast too. They loved all the cousin time. Papa and Aunt Juju were Lexie's favorite people! She was constantly asking for one of them. The second we took off on our first flight she was looking out the window crying for papa. She didn't cry long once I told her we would be seeing daddy soon. 

Daddy just got home yesterday from working in Nome and Gambel. He has been gone since the 5th. We miss him like crazy!! He should have the week off so we are looking forward to spending some MUCH NEEDED family time! 

A couple cute things from our trip:

Lexie learned to pinky promise and it is so darn cute!!

Lexie is still afraid to use the airplane toilet

Lances prayer one evening 

"Praise your food

Bless God and keep your eyes closed

Amen"

Missouri fun

The kids & I are having a great time in Missouri. So far, We have enjoyed a birthday party for my nephew, visiting friends with new babies, lots of swimming, and just spending time with all my family.

Yesterday I took my oldest sister Julie and her kids to Cape Splash. We had so much fun.

Sweet Home Missouri

Tuesday evening our journey to Missouri began. We drove to Andrew's work, parked and then called a taxi. It cost $15 (including tip) to have a taxi take us from Andrew's work to the airport or we can pay $15 a day to park at the airport, so it was definitely a smart move parking at Andrew's work. Plus, the kids got to experience their very first taxi ride. Lexie was asleep the whole time, but Lance loved it!!

We made it through security in less than 5 minutes so we had plenty of time to spare before our first flight. Lance spotted a sign with a milkshake on it in front of Cinnabon and thought we all should get one. I said, "sure why not we are on vacation now"and we stepped in line. We patiently waited our turn when the gentleman in front of us threw $15 on the counter turned around and said "let me buy you guys milkshakes since your on vacation" then he walked away. So sweet!! When I walked up to the counter the teller was laughing and said "that's so funny because I was going to give your kids free fries". We ordered two milk shakes and a cinnamon roll which came to a total of $14.95 plus the lady gave us French fries that someone had ordered and change their mind. How awesome! What a blessing and a great way to start our trip. God knew how anxious this momma was about traveling. He definitely heard my prayers and answered them.

    Our first flight was to Minneapolis and was 5.5 hours long. It went great since the kids and I slept over 4 hours of it. Once in Minneapolis the kids were pretty tired and they both wanted me to carry them. I came up with the perfect solution by using an airport wheel chair. 

I had quite a ways to walk so having the wheel chair and being able to walk at a fast speed was super nice!

The next flight to St. Louis was only an hour long and went super quick

The kids loved looking at their highlights magazines on the plane. They were so good!!

Once we got in St.Louis we were picked up by my dad and sister Julie (aunt JuJu to my kids). They were so excited to see papa. JuJu was so happy she was actually crying. Once we got to mom and dads Lexie and I took about a 3 hour nap . We had a nice relaxing day and even spent some time at the creek catching crawdads and small bluegill fish. We made sure to FaceTime daddy and sing Happy Birthday to him. I hate that he can't be here with us, and so does he. 

Yesterday was great. Lance slept in till 11:45 (8:45 Alaska time) while Lexie and I hung out with grandma and grandpa. Lexie even got to check the cows with papa. We then went to Aunt JuJu's house and swam in the pool and played with her kids. Last night we headed to Aunt Sarah's house. My parents had went to the airport to pick up my brother, Matt, Stephanie and their little baby, Addylynne. I was so excited to see Addy! She is the cutest thing! She was looking everywhere at all the new people! We couldn't get enough of her!

The kids didn't are much about Addylynne. They were too busy playing with Sarah's little dog, Tini. 

We are enjoying being with family and having so much fun. Today we have a birthday party!! So much to look forward too and so much fun to be had! I have definitely missed my family, the hot Missouri summers........not so much

Crunch time

While getting ready for the day yesterday I was braiding my hair when Lexie came in and said "I want pretty braids too, mommy!" I braided my

Little girls hair and she was so happy!! I snapped a picture of us together. There is no denying that she is mine! 

Yesterday was full of errands since we head to Missouri TONIGHT!! I still have lots to do today, but I have the whole day planned out and am hoping everything goes smooth.

Andrew was scheduled to fly home last night, but changes were made and he ended up flying to Gambell Alaska, which is rite next to Russia. Hopefully Andrew will be working there till this weekend then be heading to Missouri with us for a week! Fingers crossed it works out.

I am super excited about our trip and am super antsy!! My mind won't shut off! Lots of prayers needed for smooth traveling! 

Too cute

My kids are alway cracking me with what the things they say. I try to write it down so I am not forgetting. This I just a few of the things they have said this past week.

While riding in the car Lance will come up with the most random things. Lance said 

"I'm not allergic to snakes"

Me "o that's good"

Lance "ya they don't make me sneeze"

Lexie didn't want to come inside so I grab her and was carrying her inside when she said "stop it! Your choking my butt!"

At dinner time Lance prayed. He started his prayer be saying "God, good afternoon....."

When he was finished with his prayer in stead of saying Amen Lexie yelled out "surprise!"

Before bed Lexie was praying "Dear God, thank you for daddy and mommy and Lance and Lexie and Lance and chicken nuggets and ketchup. Amen!"

Bear paw time!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were big days for the town of Eagle River, Alaska. There was so much going on; carnival rides, a huge parade, the running with the bears, teddy bear picnic, vendor booths, car show, and so much more. It was awesome!! 

Friday morning I took the kids to the teddy bear picnic. I wasn't quite sure what to expect or I would have had the kids being their teddy bears. The hospital had a small booth set up to have your teddy checked out and any boo boos bandaged. It was pretty cute! The kids got to decorate teddy bear shaped cookies too. Everything was all about teddy bears!

After the picnic we walked around the vendor booths and food court. Since it was Friday early in the day most people were at work so it wasnt crowded at all! perfect for a mom with her two little kids. First up was face painting. Lexie loves "hello kitty cat" and Lance picked a monster or at least I guess that's what it was. 

The kids seen the pony rides and went nuts! They love all animals so I knew this was a must! Secretly I wanted to ride too ;)

Lance rode the horse with a huge smile on his face. When he got off he said "that was the most fun ever!" Lexie kept yelling "yeehaw" and "giddy up!" They LOVED it!

After some super yummy fair food we then decided it was time to ride the rides. I may have done that in a different order but everything ended up ok. 

The kids had a blast. They weren't afraid of anything! 

As we headed back to the car we ran into Ms Alaska. Lexie seen her crown and yelled "look a pretty princess!" 

Saturday morning was a huge parade through town. I had planned on taking the kids but they were having so much fun at home and lance said they didn't want to go. Lance is a huge homebody!

Saturday night instead of making supper we decided that we needed fair food!!! 

We had a wonderful weekend enjoying the festival in town. It was so much fun and offered so much for small kids. 

I had a great time running my shift at the Pampered Chef booth. It was so nice to see so many excited costumers come in to the booth to book shows, place orders and find out what's new. Even the ones that just walked by would say things like "o that's Pampered Chef, I love that stuff!" It definitely made me feel so proud to work for such a great company with high quality products! 

Sunday morning it dawned on me, "we have just two days till we leave for Missouri!" I did laundry all day and cleaned up everything. I don't like coming home to a messy house. I got everything of Andrew's ready to go too. There is a slight chance that daddy may be going back to Missouri too. Not for the whole time maybe 5 days. Just in case everything plans out I want him to have a bag ready to go. 

The kids and I are super excited to be going back to Missouri. We will be meeting three little ladies for the very first time; my niece, Addylynne born in February and two of my really good friends both had babies, Jewel and Kahlia, in April. The weather there is HOT so we will be spending most of the time at the creak relaxing!! 

So much to look forward too!! God is good, ALL THE TIME!

Sweet time

I'm not sure why, but this time with daddy being gone has been a little more challenging for Lexie. Both kids are really really missing their grandparents! We had such great visits when they were here then they wake up and they're gone! Well , waking up with daddy gone on Tuesday was pretty upsetting. 

Here is Lance opening and closing his book to hear his grandpa Conway's voice. 

I made sure to be extra sweet to the kids this week and do some special things. 

Lexie loves for mommy to do her hair so the other night before bed I put lots of braids in her. She was in love with her kinky hair the next morning! 

The kids and I made some sidewalk paint . It was super easy: 1 cup of water, 1 cup of cornstarch and some dye is all you need. We had a blast making pretty pictures in the driveway. 

Yesterday on the way to gymnastics Lance asked if we could go fishing instead. I told him if he did really good at gymnastics we would go later in the day. 

Our day fishing turned into a swimming day. Mirror Lake is so pretty. The reflexions from the surrounding mountains are beautiful! We weren't prepared for swimming, but we made it work.  

Apparently we were pretty interesting, because A momma duck and her babies came to check us out. Lexie was determined to pet one. She chased them for quite awhile. 

The kids ended up playing in the sand while I loaded up the car. While I was chasing Lance to get him to the car Lexie was busy runnin around naked! Yep, she had taken off her wet sandy panties and was running around butt naked. It was definitely time to go!

We spent most of this morning at the park enjoying the sunshine. We have had some awesome weather here this summer, we spend just about every minute outside. 

After lunch Lexie was sitting in the floor playing with her toy dishes by herself. I cut up some cheese, made some lemon aid, washed up some of the dishes and set the table. When I told Lexie it was time for a tea party she ran to the bedroom to grab her princess dress. She was too cute. Lance loves tea parties too!! He loves to pour the tea for momma. 

This weekend is the Bear Paw Festival in Eagle River. There will be rides, food, vendors (yours truly will be there at my pc booth for a few hours), a parade, games and a RODEO!!! We can't wait!!