St Louis Visit

I think most know that if Wesley is on business for more than 3 nights, I feel justified in taking a trip myself. He was going to be gone for an entire week and those who know me know that I HATE being home alone, especially that long. So I took a trip to my sister, Lea's house in St. Louis. We haven't traveled much in a while, mostly b/c traveling with an 18 month old, in my opinion, is insanity. I avoid it at all costs. But I felt that being home alone for 5 days would be more stressful than 2 plane rides with an 18 month old. I got super lucky with each flight, there was a middle seat open next to me both flights and the people sitting with us on the aisle seat were so so nice and actually helped entertain Jake the whole time. On the flight home, the guy came to our row and the flight attendant let him know that an exit row was open to him, but he looked at Jake and said that he'd rather hang out with Jake, and he was heaven sent! So nice and just helped entertain Jake the whole time. I was extremely grateful. On the down side of the trip, Jake went mad crazy with hitting so there was a lot of disciplining and time outs... yet to no avail, nothing changed. One time he hit Lea's 11 month old, Taylor and I told him, no we don't hit and without a pause, he pushed her forehead and she fell to the ground. WHAT? Seriously... that was rough. But other than that, we had a blast and here are some things we did: THe first thing I need to mention b/c I don't have a picture of it but Leslie, our very very close family friend is actually in the same area as Lea and she came to visit. We sure love Leslie! Lea's lucky to have her so close! Jake loved playing in the front yard with the sidewalk chalk, but even more, he couldn't get enough of Mason's helmet. He wore it the entire time we'd be outside and would get mad when it was time to take it off. I guess you can never be too safe... We went to Jump 4 Fun, an inflatable slide/play place. It was so so fun! I don't know who enoyed it more, myself or Jake. I mean, I was exhausted after it was over from chasing him from place to place. He did so well, climbing the slides by himself and sliding down on his own, it was too cute. I didn't think it would be fair if I just watched, so I forced him to ride with me a few times.
Lea, Mason and Jake in the Toddler area
Cute Taylor- oh my gosh, she's adorable!
This is what I want to get Jake for Christmas, it was he favorite to play in a pit full of balls
The zoo in St. Louis is free - yeah, free, and a great one, too. So we took the kids one day. I watched Lea, Mason, Abby and Jake go on the carousel ( yeah, the spinning on the carousel makes me sick, sad, huh?) while I watched Taylor. Jake was so cute to watch, each time it went around, he'd search for me and wave, it actually made me teary-eyed the first couple rounds b/c he's gotten so grown up and big! He loved the carousel
They had a cool dinasour exhibit. This is the ONLY picture I have of Lea, and she's looking down. Oh well, here's proof that it was actually Lea that I went to visit

Mason and Jake digging for fossils
Mason and Abby on a giant beetle
Fine, here's a picture with me in it... I prefer to show the cute ones and keep myself out of the pictures.
Jacob's 3rd haircut. This was Lea's second time cutting it and he did NOT like it this time. It got to the point where he was screaming and crying while I had to hold his arms down to keep him still so Lea could finish up his cut. Hopefully it won't grow as fast anymore. But she cuts it so cute and he looks like such a little man! It was a great trip and we had great time.