st louis part 2

Ok, moving on to part two of our trip!

Monday, 11-25, after visiting with my Olender grandparents, we headed to the party store where I found the masquerade mask for our ball! I was very excited, and now we just need to find Chris' mask. From there, we headed to Wentzville for our visit with my cousin Shelly's family -- Kevin, Drew, Bradley, and their new Chihuahua puppy King Louie! We were so sure that we could win Louie over...alas, it wasn't meant to be. He is definitely a typical Chihuahua!!! :) He was so adorable, and I had a lot of fun trying to win his heart. He would take treat after treat from me, but no way was he getting close!

We had such a fun time with them! Shelly made us a great dinner of lasagna and salad, and we enjoyed talking with them. Chris and Kevin enjoyed some (a lot) of red wine, and that provided some entertainment too! It was nice to spend some one on one time with the Jacksons...

King Louie!! Oh how he broke my heart :) (Yes, he has an underbite!!)

Having a little selfie fun while I was talking with Shelly and mom!

Kevin and Chris

Shelly and Kevin, cutest couple ever

Me and sweet Shelly

Me and my hubby!

Kevin, serenading my mom!

Chris working on origami dinosaurs with Drew

Aspen snuggling with Bradley in his race car bed...sound asleep!

Tuesday, 11-26, we started out at Chesterfield Mall -- we had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, and then split up for some shopping. I hit Archivers for my annual shopping spree and found a few goodies there! Wish we had one in Abilene; but then, I guess it wouldn't be as special! From there, we were going to take senior photos of Aspen, but she wasn't feeling well. So, we went back to my mom's and rested for a bit before heading to our McCarthy visit at my grandma Flo's house.

It was so good getting to see everyone there! We visited with grandma for a bit before everyone arrived, and then the loud crazy time began! :) It's always fun with them, and this visit was no exception. We were also very excited to finally meet little Kaden! Aspen was in love, of course! I think she took about 40 photos of him! My cousin Katie is selling jewelry now, and Aspen and I both found some goodies to buy...can't wait to wear them!

Me and Kaden!

The McCarthy Clan, gathered around the table for pizza and fun

My beautiful Aunt Karen

Me and the Gordons -- such a hilarious couple!

Aspen with Kaden, and Jaci with Katie -- hamming it up!

Wednesday, 11-27, we went and picked up our Turkey Trot race packets! This made it begin to seem very real...yikes!! I would be running a 5k the next day and fulfilling one of my goals for 2013. I was pumped to have my very first race shirt!!!

That day, we also went to see "Catching Fire", the second Hunger Games movie...and all 5 of us thought is was incredible!!! It was even better than the first movie, and I must say it was even better than the book! I can't wait for the next movie.

This girl, what a beauty she is! Inside and out!

Me with my girl Amy!

Afterwards, we met my dear friend Amy and her boyfriend Dukes for sushi! We met up at Wasabi, and ate a lot of good food and shut the place down. It was so good chatting and catching up! It is a blessing, indeed, to have a friend that I have known since 5th grade...not everyone can say that!