Canoeing Down the River

This weekend we went on a float trip with a bunch of Thompsons. We went down to the Maramec River and stayed in a Ranch House with 16 people. Noah had a blast on his first canoeing adventure! Levi was along for the ride, since he couldn't go canoeing yet. However, Levi did pull up to his feet for the first time by himself while we were on the trip. I know several people who have babies 3-5 months younger that are aready doing that, but I've said it before, Levi is very content and does things at his own pace. Here he is making faces at me through the pack 'n play.


Here we are getting ready to lauch for our first canoe trip with Noah. It took about 3 1/2 hours total. Noah was excited to get going but was white knuckled holding onto the bar in front of him b/c he saw his great Aunt Sandy and Uncle Doug tip over within a minute of launching and then Papa T. and Uncle Jake tipped alongside of them. Sorry to those that went with us, but Preston and I were definitely the "more experienced" canoers. After about an hour or so Noah finally loosened up. We were Turtle Hunting while in the boat. That was Noah's job, to look for turtles that were sitting on treestumps sunning themselves. We saw TONS of turtles and one snake. It was funny because Jake (my sis-in-laws hubby) had just gotten done saying that the water was too cold for snakes, we went around a bend, and what do you know, a snake swimming in the water! Funny!




Here is one stop along the way. The water is springfed so its cold, but it was warm enough outside to feel nice. Noah had fun exploring.




Here are a few family members from the trip.


Noah is looking through the water, at the end of the trip, trying to find good "throwing rocks".



These butterflies were awaiting our return at the end of the float. They were everywhere!



Noah is showing me a butterfly he caught. This is the first one he has caught 100% on his own! It was very monumental that he was stealthy enough to sneak up on it and pick it up by its wings like he was taught to do at the Runge Center a few weeks ago.

Meramec Springs Park

Friday we were able to drive down to Meramec Springs Park. I had never been there before, Preston had and wanted to share it with myself and the boys. We had a wonderful day! The weather was absolutely perfect! We got to feed the trout, learn about the old iron mill and town that used to be there, and go for a long walk along the spring and the river it feeds. It was a great way to start the weekend!

More from the Runge Nature Center

So, our family LOVES going to the Runge Nature Center in Jeff City. Its free, fairly close, free, lots to do and look at, and did I mention free? Noah and Levi LOVE going so they can play and check out all the little creatures they have there, both inside and outside! Sometimes there are special activities and exhibits too! This weekend they were doing a butterfly theme. They had a little butterfly tent inside so that kids could come, grab a butterfly net, catch 'em, and bring them back to put in the tent. "Noah" caught 3 butterflies, 2 of which made it back inside (thanks dad for the help). One of the butterflies was a new butterfly of the day. It was a comma butterfly which was very interesting, and of course, I didn't get any butterfly pictures either (grrr). Anyhow, both boys had fun playing with different puppets and other hands on stuff they have to do there.

Its Yucky Being Sick!

Sunday morning, after a wonderful weekend, we were woken up as usual with Noah climbing into bed with us. After we got up, Noah upchucked all over. So I stayed home with Noah while he continued to loose his cookies all morning. In the past, when he's had a stomach bug he gets all the throwing up done and over with within about 6-8 hours. So after around lunch time he finally took a nap, stopped throwing up, and started acting like himself again...so I thought! Around 2:30 it all started back up. Every hour or longer he would lose it. Preston had an all night kickball tourney with the youth, so he left around 4:30. From 9:00pm till 4:00am Monday he was throwing up every 30-60 minutes. That means zero sleep! Preston finally decided to come home and help out (both him and me) so we could alternate sleeping and taking care of Noah. Then Monday he slept on and off all day, slowly getting better and rehydrated while Levi decided to be fussy. As of today, everyone is well, mostly rested, and doing much better! Thank You Jesus!!

Train Ride and Beyond

Last Thursday we were able to take the train from Jefferson City to Lee's Summit to visit my parents for a couple days. We had been planning to bring my Mustang back to Fulton (finally) and thought this was a great chance to take the train so we didn't have to shuffle vehicles around to and from their house. Noah and Levi had to wear their conductor overalls for the train ride, which Noah thought was great! We had a BLAST!

The wait before the train arrived. Excitement was mounting! His buddy, Easton, and his parents brought us to the station so they had to get a picture together.




THE TRAIN IS HERE!!!!



We had SOOOOOO much fun on the train ride! Within 15 minutes after we departed Noah became "best friends" with two kids around his age. They played together for at least an hour before they had to get off at their destination. We brought books to read with Noah on the train, thinking he would get bored after about 30 minutes, but he never did and we didn't touch a single book (it was a 2 1/2 hr ride). Noah has been talking about the train ride nonstop since we've been back.





Saturday we went to Cabela's with dad because they were having a big sale on lots of stuff. It was PACKED but both the boys had fun looking at everything there. We got to feed some ducks and geese right outside the building and both the boys tried on coonskin caps. Levi's not much of a hat guy.




Oh yeah, can't forget Levi's first ride in the Mustang! He is inside, I haven't had the chance to get one outside the car yet. He loved it, both boys seem to like the road noise that comes with it. It actually feels like your driving a car and not just riding in a quiet bubble!