Overview of St. Louis Vacation

Everyone keeps asking "How was your trip home?"

Well, it was AMAZING!

I am very lucky and grateful that I was able to go home as long as I was.

Since being married, trips home are no more than a week and a half due to Nick's schedule.  And a week and a half is just not enough time to do all the things we want to do or see the people we want to see.
But 21 days at home?  It was perfect.  It was long enough to do what I wanted and see everyone, yet not long enough that I was missing my family and life back in Florida.

In a quick overview, here are the things I was able to do while home (with links to some of the posts if you missed them....I didn't post them on Facebook or Twitter like I normall do) :

• Spend time at the lake.  It's my favoritest place ever and I wasn't able to visit there last summer.
• Get my much needed endoscopy done.
• Indulge in Imo's pizza (only the best ever!), toasted ravioli (we have to make our own because they don't sell it in restaurants or stores here), Jack in the Box (boy how I miss this fast food joint), St. James Wine (only my favorite wine, which I can't get anywhere but in Missouri since it's a Missouri Winery), Pasta House (one of my favorite Italian places since most don't make manicotti, only cannelloni), Gus' Pretzels (only the best ever) and Ted Drewes (one of the best frozen custard places ever and a staple to St. Louis)
• Visit Busch Stadium (one of my favorite places ever) and watched my beloved Cardinals play baseball.
• Witness two of my friends get married while celebrating with even more of my friends at one awesome reception (and see and chat with our amazing photographers!).
• Celebrate Dad's birthday with him and celebrate my sister's birthday the next day via Skype.  
• I got to visit every single one of my friends...something that usually never happens!
• Got to finally grab a drink at Three Sixty St. Louis' "new" roof top bar.
• Craft with Grandma just like we did when we were little.
• I got to visit the new sea lion exhibit at the zoo which was so incredibly cool!  (We have the best zoo ever!) All while spending the entire day with my cousin.
• Had a big get together and game night with my family! (They're seriously the best ever!)
• Spent soooo much time with my brother at the lake, the wedding, and again the next weekend. (he's my best friend and one of my favorite people!)
• Spent evenings outside drinking wine with Mom and Dad.
• Got to snuggle lots and lots with Sierra. 
• Shopped with Mom

There were very few things I didn't get to do:

• Visit Nick's family.  Unfortunately, his aunt was out of town on business and then they were on vacation until my last day in town =(
• Indulge in P'sghetti's sub sandwiches (they are soooooo good!)
• Visit Andy =(  The day I made time to visit, the cemetery had already closed.  I didn't expect it to close at 5pm when the sun doesn't even begin to go down until about 7:30pm-ish.  I arrived at 5:15pm and it was closed =(  I thought about parking and just walking past the gate, but with his plot being right at the entrance, front and center, I was nervous someone would see me and yell at me =/  I'm a chicken

So I'd say it was a very successful and fun trip!  Once I had everyone penciled in for a visit, my trip became a LOT less stressful!  Now I'm just counting down the days until we return in November!

Friends Over St. Louis Vacay

My time here at home is almost over.  And while I'm sad, I am very, very thankful that I've been able to actually come home.  I know not many are as lucky to get time off work, have the finances, etc to get to visit their family and friends.

If you remember THIS post, then you know I was super stressed about visiting everyone. It's just very stressful to try to squeeze everyone in because it's inevitable schedules conflict.
But thankfully I was able to see all my friends.

Friend Visit #1: Jen and Jessie
Late last week, I spent some much needed time with my best friends, Jessie and Jen.
{Background: Jessie is my best friend from high school.  We've had a friendship unlike any other, in a good way, and it just can't be put into words.  After high school, we went to Mizzou and lived together in the dorms, where we met Jen, who quickly became our best friend.  After our first year, the three of us moved into a house together for the next 2 years.  Jen graduated early and then it was just Jessie and I.  Jen moved back to Kansas City, Missouri and after Mizzou, Jessie and I moved home to St. Louis.}
I sent an email out to all my friends letting them know I was coming home.  Jen immediately emailed me back wanting to know what weekends I was free.  Unfortunately, I was only scheduled to be in town for two weekends and I was available for either due to going to the lake, a wedding, and time spent with my brothers the other weekend.
Jen then whipped out her best friend skills and decided she'd take Friday off work and come to St. Louis (she's about 4 hours away) Thursday night so we could spend Thursday night together, have a slumber party at Jessie's and then spend the day together Friday before I needed to head to my weekend events.  Then Jessie pulled the same awesomeness and said she'd take a day off work as well.  Folks, best friends don't come any better than this!  These two were willing to work around my busy schedule, take a day off work, and Jen even traveled in to see me!!!!  I most definitely did not expect Jen to come in town just for me and would definitely never ask them to take a day off work.  But this is what makes them absolutely amazing friends.  I could not ask for better best friends!  (Jessie also came to visit us once we moved to Maryland for those nine short weeks after our wedding and she, along with Jen, also came to Florida last November to visit us!)
Anyway, Jessie picked me up at my house after work and we went back to her house, ordered Imo's (my absolute favorite pizza EVER...and she ordered us toasted ravioli!).  Then we picked Jen up from the train station at 10:30pm, headed to Three Sixty St. Louis, which is a 20th floor rooftop bar with a 360 degree view of St. Louis.  We just sat and caught up with one another (while warding off and being completely amazed by obnoxious guys attempting to spit game.)
The next day, we woke up, had breakfast, set out for pedicures, then went to our usual place for lunch (or dinner), Pasta House.  mmmmmm.  We sat on the patio, enjoyed some deliciously cheap drinks, enjoying lunch.  Then they dropped me off at my Grandparents and I said goodbye =(
It was the perfect friend date though and I was so happy I was able to see them!

view of Busch Stadium, Home of the Cardinals, from the bar

lunch on the patio of Pasta House

Friend Visit #2: Mizzou Crew
My brother has been living in Columbia, Missouri, (where my beloved Mizzou is), for 10+ years.  I moved there to attend college and therefore his friends became my friends.  They are one of the most fun groups of people I've ever met and it's no surprise my brother befriended them.  This group also includes, Josh, my brother's best friend, whom I consider my brother because he's always been there for me such as any brother has.  The last time I saw the Mizzou Crew was either at my wedding 14 months ago or at Mizzou's Homecoming last October.  Thankfully, my trip home fell over Nick and Daneila's wedding so I was able to share in their day and see all my friends.  We had a BLAST that day hanging out, drinking, and dancing the night away at their wedding reception.  It was so much fun and reminded me of my wedding! ...packed dance floor, lots of love and laughs, and they even used my same DJ (who was awesome) and my photographers (who everyone KNOWS are awesome) so it was great to see them all too!!!!  Nick is just an awesome guy and I am so happy he found Daniela.  Not to mention, she's the sweetest, most fun girl ever!  So I was happy I was able to help celebrate their day.  (and get her back...she requested "Pussy Control" at my wedding so of course I too requested "Pussy Control" at her wedding.  And as no surprise, both of us vetoed that request at our weddings lol).

my brother Randy and his bridesmaid

my brother, Ben, and Amber

Angela and Kevin...one awesome couple with the world's cutest little girl!

dancing with Randy and Meagan 

TROUBLE!...the best of friends

me with the boys

because all Ben's friends love her, Mom crashed the wedding after her other wedding.
When everyone saw her, it was a giant "MAMA DICKENS" that rang out lol

another freaking awesome couple, Derek and Amber, (also another newlywed couple)

Meagan and her man, Kyle

with the ever beautiful Daniela

sooo happy I got to see Zeb!  Love this guy!

and of course a photo with the awesome groom!

my adorable brothers!

My other brother, Josh.  We went as each other's dates since our spouses couldn't attend

with Amber!  LOVE this girl!!

Friend Visit #3: Julie
Julie is my other best friend and she's been my best friend from a very young age. My family moved across the street from her family when we were about 9 years old???  I don't really remember but we were little.  We played soccer, softball, volleyball, and basketball together on school teams as well as spending every waking moment together out and about in the neighborhood.  Sadly Julie moved to the opposite suburb of St. Louis than where our families live.  So when I'm in town, with limited time, we usually just choose a central location to meet for lunch or dinner.  And that's what we did this time too.  We met at Applebee's, had dinner, and talked for a few hours.  It's what we do best.  My favorite thing to do with Julie is just walk around our neighborhood, for hours, just talking.  The two of us could talk for days and it'd never get old.  It really stinks we're both so busy because we don't get to have phone dates as often as I'd like.  But I'm just glad we were able to find time to get together while I was home, especially since Julie is a boss with like three jobs!  But I'll take whatever time I can get.  She's one of those best friend that just gets me no matter what.  I don't even have to speak and she knows what's wrong.  And she's always able to make me laugh in any situation.  That's the type of friend you never, ever want to lose!!!!!
Sadly, I didn't get a picture of us together =(

Friend Visit #4: Co-Workers
Before I got married and moved away, I worked at St. Louis Children's Hospital teaching two year olds.  My co-teachers, Christine and Sarah, were the most amazing co-workers ever.  I miss these two dearly. I mean, I spent 50 hours with these girls...Monday through Friday, 10 hours a day.  We talked to each other about everything.  Our families, friends, things our husbands probably wouldn't want us sharing, etc.  These girls made those horrific days of dealing with 16 (or sometimes 18) two year olds bearable.  These are amazing girls and became some of my closest friends.  We were there for each other when family or friends were annoying us, we shared in each other's life accomplishments and were genuinely excited for one another.  They were girls I could rely for honest and great advice.  I miss them so much but we were never the type to talk on the phone so I feel it might be weird to call and catch up.  Which means we don't talk often =(
Thankfully, I was able to get together with them, and their husbands and Sarah's adorable son (who has grown SO much since I last saw him!).  We gathered at Sarah's house, had dinner and just talked and talked.  Around midnight we decided it was time to go, considering they all had to work the next day. I cannot tell you how happy this visit made me.  It made me miss them more than ever but it was so great to see them all.  I hope I'm able to see them again for Christmas!

Friend Visit #5: High School Crew
I'm fortunate enough that I am still close with my original high school crew and I hadn't seen them in a while so I was sooooo happy we were able to get together.  After they all got off work, we gathered at Kelli and Susi's new house!!!  It's adorable and I can't wait to go over there again and see the progress they've made.  Jessie was there as well so it was good to see her again considering she's my best friend. But the Krasnesky Family came and I was super excited because this was the first time I got to meet their adorable son, Benjamin!  He's such a good baby and oh so adorable!!!!!  We ate dinner and then spent the next few hours just sitting around reminiscing about high school and laughing so hard.  I love these girls (and guy!) and am so thankful we're still close and share so many wonderful memories!  The Krasnesky's had to leave early because they are now responsible parents who actually care about what's best for their child (unlike a lot of adults these days).  After they left, Kelli showed Jessie and I their cat's "clothes" and we had a blast dressing them up!  Oh my goodness it was hilarious!  Sadly, our time had to come to an end.  I'm really hoping we get a long leave over Christmas (although I'm told we won't) because I'd love to be able to see these girls again!!!!!  They are some of my favorites!

Okay, so these aren't pictures of my friends.  But I forgot to take some but how can you not love George and Phil in their attire?!

I am happy to say, for the first time since I moved away, I was able to see every single friend of mine!  Normally on each trip home, I see my best friends and then it's very, very hard to squeeze in the other groups of friends.  I love them dearly, but it's just so hard!
But this was beyond successful and the stress of trying to see everyone paid off =)

Crafting with Grandma

As wee tots, my brother (Ben), my sister (Leah) and I would spend a lot of time with Grandma and Grandpa.   I have so many amazing memories of my childhood with them.  But one of my favorites was our time with Grandma.

Grandma could do and make everything.  She loved crafts.  And she passed this love down to us.  I remember going through Grandma's felt box and "sewing" things together.  I remember buying ornament kits and creating ornaments with her.  But most of all, I remember the crafts Grandma made for us.  One of mine and my siblings absolute favorite items Grandma has made were our stockings.  (Grandma is also one of the main reasons we all LOVE Christmas so much.)

As children, we all had Santa stockings with our names on them.  Mom had a doll stocking and Dad had the soldier stocking.  Grandma made them for us (and her other kids' and their families).  As the years went on, the stockings aged and began showing some wear and tear.  Mom decided to recycle our stockings as decorations and replace them with store-bought stockings.

Our Grandma-made stockings, that hold so much meaning to us all, now get hung on our bedroom doors at our parents house.

(as you can see, he's missing some sequins and things here and there)

Last Thanksgiving (2011) as our family was decorating the tree and Mom was getting out all her holiday decorations, my mother asked Ben and I if we wanted to take our stockings with us to our houses since we do not live at home and won't be returning to live there (although Ben has been gone for years.)  To which we were very offended and very quickly yelled "NO!"  You see, my family is full of very, very sentimental people.  We do not like change especially when it comes to family and traditions.  Ben and I both said those stockings are to never, ever leave our parents house.  They must always remain there, otherwise, it just wouldn't feel like Christmas.

A month later over Christmas, we were telling Grandma about this conversation with Mom.  Grandma then informed us she still had the patterns from the stocking kits and could make us new ones.  We decided on one better and decided we'd make them WITH Grandma.

During my trip home, we had Christmas in August!!!!  Grandma had gathered all the supplies we'd need (except the few things she was unable to find, I'm assuming because they're more "Christmasy" items) and we set out to make our own stockings!  It was so fun and just like old times.  I think Ben and I lack the same domestic skills we did when we were 6 and 9 years old.  But we had a lot of fun!
Unfortunately, Leah was not there but we gathered all the stuff she'd need and we plan to craft together in late September when Ben and Randy come to visit.

I will admit, it was a little odd making these.  My entire life I've had the "child" stocking of the Santa.  But now, I'm going to be a Mom (not anytime soon....don't go thinking that way) and Nick will be the Dad.  So I am making myself the doll stocking and Nick will get the soldier one.  It's actually really weird to think this way!....exciting but weird.
Ben opted for a different design Grandma had since he did not want the same as Randy (whom he assumed would want the soldier) so he opted for the really neat looking tree pattern Grandma had.
Leah also wanted the tree and would make the soldier for Kyle.
(I found this very odd that they'd stray from "tradition".  I thought for sure Leah would want the doll and Ben would take the soldier and give Randy the tree.)
Ben also drafted up some cute doggie stockings and we'll be making those for our pups as well!

Stocking crafting at Grandma's!

Getting everything cut out and ready to go for Nick's soldier!

Ben's tree in progress

Randy getting his soldier all cut out

The three patterns...for now!

We had an absolute blast!  Hanging out with Grandma is always fun but this was just so special because it was like our childhood all over again.  I'm pretty sure the only difference was the type of immaturity.  Now it's in the form of snickers and giggles over Grandma saying words she doesn't know are perverted and us saying "that's what she said" under our breath.  (And by us, I mean Ben and I, of course.  Randy scowls at our immaturity...which only makes us want to do it more!)

During this visit, we also found out that Grandma only crafted with us.  I thought this was something she did with all of the grandchildren but she said nope, just us.  She didn't really have a reason.  It made me feel rather special.  Especially because we did not live in St. Louis until about 1990 when I was six years old, Ben was nine, and Leah was just three.  Either way, I'm glad because I LOVE crafting!!!  And I sure do love my crazy Grandma!  She's the best!!!!

While there, we also made sure to write down the directions and make copies of the stencils so that we can replicate these for others if we want.  And we most definitely made sure to get the Santa directions and stencils so when we have kids, we can make their stockings =)

It was the perfect day spent with family.  Not just spending time together, but reminiscing about our childhood and recalling all those great memories.  I'm so grateful for the family I have, especially my Grandparents.  And so grateful we're all so sentimental!

[In September, when all our stockings are complete, I'll write an updated stocking post!]