where is this outfit?

4th of July is TOMORROW and I can't find this outfit. I actually bought a different one for the BIG day but this one would be PERFECT for today or on the 5th? Really, where could an entire outfit disappear to???

my new favorite picture

intersession

I thought I'd post a few pictures from this week before I finish the rest of our trip.

The neighbor kids lit off a few fireworks tonight before it started to rain...

here's Saylor Lillie and Alex setting off sparks - Alex has contested to wanting to marry my daughter so the sparklers may have multiple igniting.

Sweet Alex

Jackson, Alex and Say

one of the 32 smoke bombs

Day three

Valletta, Malta -

Valletta is the chief town, port and capital city, on the northeastern coast of the island of Malta, in the Mediterranean Sea. It occupies a rocky tongue of land on either side of which are harbors. Valletta is also the chief administrative, commercial, and cultural center of Malta. The city's historical sites and temperate climate attract many tourists. Until 1979 British and North Atlantic Treaty Organization naval bases were located in Valletta's harbors. Now these ports have been converted for commercial service. The principal architectural features are the residence of the governor, formerly the palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, and the cathedral containing tombs of Knights.

We opted to spend this day relaxing on one of Malta's luxgoroius beaches.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Mediterranean Mosaic Day one and two

Cruise Day one and two.

We flew out of St. Louis airport, a direct flight to Rome. We left St. Louis at 5 pm and landed in Rome 10 hours later. It was a VERY long day since a) we really didn't go to bed the night before given the fact that we had not made any attempts to pack in advance and b) we drove to KC Tuesday morning to catch a flight to St. Louis to save us from driving.

Yada, Yada, we land in Rome, wait for our luggage (it took 2 hours) and bus over to the port to board the boat. The cruise line was Holland America and it was AMAZING. Highly recommend. It was probably around 4 by the time we finally board. That first night we just perused the boat, scouting out the pools and bars. We left port around 7pm and docked the next morning bright (and I mean bright...the sky's were the bluest of blues and always cloudless) and early at Naxos, Sicily.

History on Naxos: It was the first Greek colony in Sicily. It has been inhabited without interruption from 7735BC to present. In ancient times Naxos was the largest and most fertile island in Cyclades, known for its wine and the worship of Dionysos. Naxos is also home Europe's largest active volcano Mt. Etna's, which we could see from our boat. The Majestic Mt. Etna at 11,000 ft. is covered in cones, craters and the remnants of steams of lava. At 6,200 ft, you can see the 1983 lava flow. We shuttled from Naxos to Taormina. Taormina is situated high on Mount Tauro, overlooking the calm lonian sea, with delightful medieval character. This town dates back to 39AC. Taormina is a charming and popular resort town. We walked down the bustling main street of Corso Umberto, which is lined with former mansions with enchanting architecture and balconies that brim with flowers. We toured a Greek-Roman Theatre that is the towns most visited historical site, it dates back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC and still hosts performances today.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy 60th and 38th

My parents and my grandparents share the same anniversary date. Josh and I would have shared it too had it not fallen on a Wed. that year. Something about a Wed. wedding didn't appeal to him. Anyway, what a momumental day for my grandparents! Happy 60 years grandma and grandpa - how cute are they?!?! And happy 38th mom and dad.

we're back...

after nine days of travel, 4 countries, 10 lbs gained and over a 1000K pictures. I'll upload a slide show once I finish the 5 loads of laundry, grocery store run, unpacking, jetlag recovery and all the rest of my heaping chores.

WE LOVE LORI!!!

I can honestly say, we have the BEST parent as teacher educator around. Saylor asks every week if this is the week that Mrs. Lori is coming. Then, when the time FINALLY comes, she waits by the window in anticipation. Sophia is just as taken with her and all of the little surprises she carries in her bag. I'm hoping this program goes until my girls graduate from High School...

Even Robbie, my nine year old nephew got in on the action.

Sweet Robert

I had such a nice time with my nephew last week. He's going to be in Kansas for a month but will be shipped around between us, my parents and my bro in KC. Robbie was SUCH a helper. He was sweet as could be with my girls, Sophia had to have given him at least 200 kisses in a weeks time. I can't wait to have him back. He even helped me lour Saylor Lillie into a new trim by having his hair cut as well. Here's a Before:
During:
After:
Here's one of Saylor under the knife...

a week of firsts

sitting back and reflecting on last week, I noticed something was different...it must have been the constant sugar high for Sophia with the Oreos, Popsicle and sucker (although, I dropped my point and shoot while trying to take a picture of the first sucker) Whoops.