Decorating Easter Eggs

On Saturday afternoon we enjoyed a visit from Tim, Susan, Anna & Rebecca. They were in from Grand Rapids for the night and stopped in to see the house and go out for dinner. We really enjoyed seeing them again since the last time we saw them was at Josiah's baptism and we didn't get to see the girls then. The kids did a great job playing together!

Susan, Rebecca, Tim & Anna
Josiah & Rebecca playing together

Easter Egg Hunt

On Friday night, we had a little get together with my family since we won't see Jeff & Lisa and the kids on Easter. Tim really wanted to have an Easter Egg hunt this year so we decided to have it with the little kids this year and that we would keep it inside. The kids really enjoyed finding the eggs in the house and shaking them up. Later they colored an Easter egg which was super fun. Josiah really enjoyed spending time with his Great Grandpa and Grandma. They came over a little bit earlier than everyone else and he was able to warm up to them and enjoyed sitting by her throughout the evening.

Josiah enjoyed eating the crayon more than coloring

Austin coloring his Easter egg

Lisa and Kruesie coloring

Daylia, Kruesie, Austin, Kaitlyn & Josiah after the Easter egg hunt

Great Grandpa & Grandma with Josiah

Check this out

I was going through the list of blogs that I look at every day and I found this deal! I ended up only paying three dollars for all of it. I was pretty excited.

It includes a knife set, cutting board, salad serving set and the utensils.

Vandalia Illinois & Oldest Capital

On the way, we once again saw the town of Vandalia, Illinois which boasts of Illinois’ oldest state capital. We decided to stop there and check it out. The building just opened back up again on Saturday and had been closed for about 3 months. Former Governor Blagojevich closed down this historical site and others in November, 2008 and thankfully an anonymous donor paid for 6 months salary for a full time employee. Hopefully the state budget will allow for these historical sites to remain open even at a cost for visitors because it was very interesting to learn about. We were the only tourists there so the tour guide gave us a very special tour of the building. He allowed us in to the rooms and we were able to learn so much history. We also had our picture taken where Abraham Lincoln sat in the House of Representatives when he would have been about 27 years old. This was also the first place that he spoke against slavery. It was very interesting, thankfully Tim made us stop!!
In front of the Supreme Court

This is where Abraham Lincoln would have sat and gave his first speech against slavery

Josiah & Tim in front of the capitol building

Josiah on Lincoln's lap

St. Louis Union Station

On Tuesday we packed up our hotel room and checked out and then headed to St. Louis Union Station. We enjoyed walking around and looking at all of the history that was there. Then we started heading back home.

St. Louis Zoo & Build a Bear

On Monday we went to the St. Louis Zoo. Thankfully we were there a couple of minutes before it opened because when we left at about 1:30 there wasn’t a parking spot for miles. We arrived there early so that we could get in free to the children’s zoo. Josiah was able to pet a gerbil and some goats which was pretty cool. We were able to enjoy a beautiful morning and see all of your typical zoo animals.
The seal family

Tim & Josiah petting the goats

Josiah with his new bear, Louie, in front of the real bear

Tim & Josiah in front of the polar bear

We also stopped at Build-a-Bear and made Josiah a bear that has a little shirt that says St. Louis Zoo on it.
Josiah was excited for the stuffing of his bear

Kissing the bear

Brushing the bear with daddy

Dressing the bear

After lunch we headed back to the hotel for some much needed relaxation and swimming/sitting in the hot tub.