Road Trip to St. Louis

On July 3, we started our drive to St. Louis, MO. Our children really wanted to visit their friends, so we decided to drive to St. Louis and then fly from St. Louis to Salt Lake City. Donovan was kind enough to drive the van back to Gainesville, but he did fly to SLC a couple of weeks later for my sister's wedding. We were able to take our dog Daisy with us to St. Louis. The kids were so happy, and I think she was too. I would have never guessed in a million years that I would be letting a dog in my home or car. But she is the best dog. She showed up at our door step a year ago and seems to really like us too. We were able to visit with the Melby family. Donovan and Spencer have known each other since their mission. The Melby's arrived in St. Louis one month before we did back in 2002. Spencer is finishing his cardiothoracic fellowship, but they may stay in St. Louis. And who knows...maybe we will be back there again to live sometime too. While we lived in St. Louis, Donovan and Spencer purchased this boat together. We sold our share when we left, but we sure had a fun time back on the water. Gotta luv spending time with some good friends on a boat with some smooth water!! Donovan was so happy to waterski (it was his first love).

Dominique waterskiied, and Dreyton and Jasmine both tried to get up. They were soooooo close. Maybe next time.
The kids were having a great time on a floating dock where we stayed and had a picnic. They would dive down and get hand fulls of mud to smear all over themselves. We call it the Meramec mud bath. It would probably cost $150 at some high-priced salon. However, I find it gross, but kids like dirt.

The boys were able to spend some extra time in St. Louis with their friends. Dominique stayed with the Tammenga's and Dreyton stayed with the Jarvis' family. They wanted to stay longer, but they had a plane to catch. It was their first time flying without their parents, but they were fine.

Dominique's surprise 12 plus birthday party

We now have a teenager in the family! Dominique did not want to turn thirteen, so he was telling everyone he was "12 plus." I'm not sure why he didn't want to turn thirteen, but I just don't think he is ready to like girls yet. That's ok with me, though. As far as I am concerned, he can wait until he graduates from college before he starts dating.

I decided to throw a little surprise birthday party for him. I invited a few boys from school and a few from church. Dominique had told me that he didn't want a birthday party this year. He was a little upset with me at first for having the party, but I think he ended up having a good time. The boys played capture the flag and a little bit of Fear Factor games. The boys had gone to a Fear Factor party at a friend's house a few months ago and really enjoyed it. So we tried it here at our home. Left to right: Josh, Jon, Corey Rudd, and Corey Koziera

Jeremiah, Kyle, Dreyton

Dominique loves the Wii. He got a few games.

And some cash which he spent on games

and a Toys R Us gift card which he used to buy (yes, you guessed it) more games. Yes sir-ee Bob, he is a game junkie, and his mom has to put limits on his Wii, DSi, and computer time.

Scout Camp - June 2009

I know I am behind on blogging, so I will do my best to catch up! Dominique and Donovan went to scout camp at Camp Shands that is in between Gainesville and Jacksonville the fourth week of June. I sent them with a disposable camera because I didn't want Dominique being responsible for my digital camera. The pictures obviously aren't very good quality, but they do capture some of scout camp.Dominique competed in a scout troop marathon that involved running, swimming, archery, answering trivia questions, bicycling and basketball. Dominique participated in the swimming portion.

All of the scouts slept in tents. I don't know how I would handle sleeping in the heat with all of the several different types of creepy crawlies that were there with them.

This is a picture of the inside of the tents. Dominique and Kyle (another boy in the ward) shared a tent.

These are the boys in Donovan's scout troop. He is the scoutmaster. Donovan and Dominique had a good time too.