The Nest Half Full

Most of these pictures are going to be a bit out of order. We had a nice visit to the East Coast, though I do wish it hadn't rained the entire time we were there. I counted on sunshine and packed accordingly, so I ended up wearing the same set of clothes over and over for the most part.

This is my friend Lindsey, and this was the first time we have seen each other in 18 years! She came up to St.Louis to meet us for dinner when we went through. She introduced me to the little slice of heaven that is toasted ravioli!

Mia with Yvonne at her house shortly after we arrived. We didn't get any photos of the kids :(

Mia and Aunt Carolyn talking to the dog

Helping Aunt Carolyn feed the over-abundant fish

With Aidan and Rebecca when we went to visit Chris and Angie

Yummy Mommy Hair!

This beautiful boy has the BLUEST eyes!

Not enough time was my only complaint!

We wore the kids out! That's Punkin as the stand-in pillow.

Gathering of friends in Mad Cow

Movie night with Laura (standing) and Lindsay, looking at old pictures I brought along

Lindsays dog, Kenyerko, after he UNSCREWED the cap. He likes the little drops of coke that are left in the bottom.

Yes. I know I'm the shortest.

Mia and Sam playing My Little Ponies

Most of the group that came to the "cook-in"

Rollerskating at Grandma Dollman's

Who knows.

With Paw Paw and Maw Maw

On a swing with Emma. She's the granddaughter of Randy and Barb, friends of the Dollman family for many years.

Barb let Mia and Sawyer (son of Marty, Barb and Randy's son and Garys friend since childhood) feed the fish

Marty holding Sawyer, his wife Sarah, Valerie, Angie, Gary and me, Emma and Mia. Emma is Angie's daughter.

I don't know why this picture turned out so tiny...

While in Georgia, we went to play with my friend Kelli and her two nieces at their Grandma's house where they had a very nice little playhouse and miniature horses.

Kelli's mom had miniature horses. Mia is still talking about how they fed them!

Time for a snack after such intense playing!

"Lookid awl my HOOWA HOOPS!"

No, seriously. She looks cute, but get out of the way.

Corner of College and Clayton during our short jaunt downtown to see my old stomping grounds

Of course you have to get at least one picture with a painted bulldog.

Coffee outside of Walkers. I miss Blue Bird.

Mia and Mimmy in Junkmans

Mia driving PawPaws motor home

Dink almost makes you want a chihuahua.

Saying our goodbyes to Heather and Jeff before heading to Sarah and Nick's wedding party

Sam thought she was the one getting married! Mia thought the same thing and asked, "We go to Sam's wedding?"

Apparently blue is the color. Sarah, me, and a Joes coffee mug.

Sarah tossed...

...and Ariel caught!

The girls were gathering as many baloons as they could hold in their little arms!

...briefly. Mia had a play date with her little friend, Gillian, from preschool. On Saturday our original plan was to help the school make decorations for the parade float and then meet Gillian's family at the park around the corner. It snowed that morning, leaving an impressive dusting that changed the play date location to their home. They had a blast playing dress up, jumping on the trampoline in the snow, and eating apples. I was talking with Maria and Tom, the parents and we were talking about the outdoors and climbing came up. I mentioned that I've really been interested in learning to rock climb and Tom said, "Well hey, why don't we all go to Garden of the Gods tomorrow if it's nice?" After church, we met up with them and walked down to an easy area they call Kindergarten Rock. It is where beginners go to learn, thus the patronizing name! It's a great area though because the bottom is shaded and away from the road so the kids could play around.
Gary wasn't thinking that he'd climb so he didn't bring his gear. He has been packing containers for the con-ex, but wanted to spend some time with us. He came separately in his Jeep thinking he'd duck out before we did. Once he got there he decided that he'd just belay me, which turned into repel and then belay, which naturally turned into the whole shebang. Tom had my number as far as teaching goes. He said that we'd scramble to the top and repel down but he didn't "over warn" me about the scrambling. I was nervous doing it and there was a short climb that he top roped me into, but I didn't give myself options, just did it. I've repelled before but that first little bit is still a booger! I know what gravity's job is and it's just hard to work with! Of course Gary is Mr. Super Repelling Guy and was down in two seconds. I took my sweet time, with the girls cheering me on! I heard them when Gary was going down, "GO DADDY! You can DO IT!" I got the same encouragement and Mia even added "You're doing SUCH a good job mommy! You're almost done!"
Once the rope was placed, we let the girls do a tiny climb first. Mia practically shoved her way to the front, impatient when they were getting her set up and screamed the whole way up. It was obviously different from what she had imagined! She was trying to hold onto the rope, not getting that the idea is to climb the rock! She was quickly frustrated and slipped, meltdown escalating from that point. Gillian did well, getting to the top of the little rock we had them on. Her little brother is too young still. The kids harness was neat, full body style. I think I might feel better in one of those!
For us big kids, Gary climbed first and Tom told me about everything he was doing. I really like that I was never over warned or had anything explained in horrifying detail. I'm much more likely to do something like this if I don't over-analyze! Of course I want as much info as I need to be safe and smart, but I'm in danger of questioning my guts right out of the picture! After Gary made it to the very top (in his hiking boots, I must add) they had me go for it. I had a point in my head that was my goal and had no problem getting there. I spent a good chunk of time at a smooth area with my feet pretty far apart which made my hip start to throb and my leg got pins and needles. I climbed a couple more feet and then called it quits after I hit another smooth area. I didn't make it to the very top but I'm proud of what I did do! I'm already going over it in my head and thinking about what I'll do differently next time. Tom climbed after me to start breaking things down at the top and Maria got half way before coming down. She over extended her arm in a recent climb and is still feeling it. It was a great topper to the weekend!

Mia and Gillian getting ready to walk to the climbing area

Repelling from the top. The thing I do NOT like about climbing is the absurd number of butt-shots you get. I guess when that's all the photographer can see from the ground...

Tom starting down

The girls were playing explorers

Tom halfway

Mia's first climbing experience! Tom talked to the girls like "real" climbers, checking knots, telling them to check his and telling them to use the real responses.