fur-cation

that's what ryan's colleagues nicknamed their week off without pay. most people call it a furlough, but since we're all looking on the bright side of things and using it as an extra week of vacation, it's now referred to as a fur-cation!

so, for our furcation, we headed to st. louis. ryan's parents are relocating to st louis and we thought we could help them explore the city.

we did a lot of fun stuff, but the best part of the whole trip was seeing ryan's family.

we got to see baby mya for the first time! she is soooo darling and we love her already! and we got to see auntie angie, who we always love to spend time with. isn't she lovely in purple?

we went to the zoo and had a fun day there seeing all kinds of animals. afton's favorites were the flamingos. ella got to touch a stingray at the stingray exhibit! in fact, she touched stingrays at least 7 times. she's much braver than her mom. we also loved seeing the hippos swim under water. that was my favorite!

we went to see the arch. i was far more impressed than i thought i'd be. it is beautiful! all that shiny steel...
we actually took a little ride up to the top. don't ask me to go with you though, because i won't do it again.

and ryan's dad found this funny little vehicle. we all rode up and down the mississippi riverfront
laughing and having a great time! afton loved to be the person driving.

we had such a great time with grandpa, grandpa, auntie angie, uncle brad, auntie emily and baby mya! we love our family and wished everyone had been there.