Next: Train to St Louis

I had planned on going to St. Louis on Sunday. Chris and Meg's Sunday was looking busier and busier. Meg is RS president and had meetings all morning, Chris had to prepare a lesson and church was at 1:00. The only times the train ran was 8 am and 4 pm so I decided to take the morning train to St. Louis. I love to take the train, it is not as rushed, crowded and uncomfortable as flying. The scenery is better, It's cheaper than driving and no one has to spend 4 -8 hours in a car to get me.

I hadn't seen Matt and Erin's family since our cross country trip to North Carlonia last year. The kids have grown so much. We FaceTime almost weekly, but it is not the same as being there. I have missed their hugs and kisses and snuggling with them while reading, crafting or playing on the iPad. 

We went to the Butterfly House because it was an good indoor activity for a rainy day. I kept thinking I need to reread "The Girl of the Limberlost" as we spied hundreds of butterflies in a natural habitat  They also had a special orchid show throughout the house. The warm, tropical air felt really good on a chilly fall afternoon. This picture reminds me of the times I wanted to tell my kids "act like we're having fun, darn it!" 

There is also this cool cockroach bubble that they can view from the inside. The kids never get tired of popping up inside the bubble to be grossed out by the giant cockroaches. 

Matt was able to take a day off of work and we went to a Louis and Clark museum. This year I have been to the beginning of their journey in St Charles MO and to Salmon, Idaho, near the end of their explorations. Compared to our river trips, it is hard to imagine how arduous their journey must have been, especially considering how early in US history it was--1805. 

The morning I left for home I took some last minute pictures to keep me going until I see them again. 

Lily and Ian were making a race course around the basement and Lily made signs for the racers. Ian has a great imagination and Lily is quite the artist. 

And then there is Molly.  Horsing around on the merry go round next to the Butterfly House. 

Molly looked so cute in the sweater I gave her for her birthday.

It was such a wonderful trip.