Another week on the road!

Hi Everyone and GREETINGS from St. Louis, MO!

We had a nice visit in Kansas City with my Mother. Every day we had an "outing" to keep the kids from climbing the walls. On Wednesday we went to Build-a-Bear and Penguin Park. I'll post some pictures when I get home. P-Park is COOL - I used to play there when I was a kid. The centerpiece is a 30 foot tall penguin with a slide! There is a giant kangaroo now too!

Thursday we went to "All Fired UP". It is a paint your own pottery workshop. Grace did a horse and Ingrid a tea-cup and saucer. They were done before we left - whoo-hoo - so are packed in the trunk!

I visited my favorite pottery shope (Nichols Pottery in Avondale) and purchased a few finds of my own. I got a neat plate, a salt cellar (Elise - tell me what to buy to put in it and what the heck to do with it - OK - I've NO idea!!), some tea trays for snacks and a tumbler for the bathroom. Nice stuff - all green - of course. Then we went to Penguin park - again. Afterwards we went to get a milk shake and the Steak & Shake. While we were there it hailed - lovely! The car is fine despite larger than pea-sized shower for at least 5 minutes. Welcome to the Midwest! No tornadoes while we were visiting - a nice bonus.

On Friday we went to the KC Miniature Museum. Nice place - very well put together and an awe inspiring collection of mini's and antique toys. Well received by the kids and SO much to take in. Grace counted the mini-dogs and told us EVERY bread. There was an entire room devoted to marbles. That was cool.

Saturday we went to a Baby Shower. I used to baby-sit the Mom and the hostess. It was very very cool to catch up with all. The girls have been knitting - Grace finally decided to concentrate enough to learn and they've both got great projects going. They were well behaved - and I sure appreciated that.

Saturday afternoon we headed out South and rendezvoused with the Aasby women. Susan and Molly were in town for a V-ball tourney. The hotel had a pool and the girls blew off some accumulated steam for an hour and a half. Then we went to happy hour - on the house!

Kiley came out too and we all had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. Interesting place. Covered with vines - moving animals and a thunderstorm to accompany dinner. The girls made purchases at the gift shop while we waited for our table. HOW CONVENIENT - a gift shop coupled with a long wait! After dinner all 6 of us went back to the hotel for a sleepover! VERY FUN!

Sunday we got up early and went to meet Grandma at church. She was very surprised when she saw the girls on the program to play the piano during the offertory. They did great - and she was mighty impressed.

Today finds us in St. Louis. We are staying with a friend of mine from college. She and her family are all at work/school so I'm taking advantage of access to a computer. As soon as we've breakfasted - we're headed to the Gateway Arch. A fun pod ride to the top and should be a grand view today. IT is blue skies and mid-60's. Can't wait to get out. Hopefully a 2nd stop at "the City Museum". An outdoor play yard made of crap found in the city. Supposedly a wonderful place - - -

more later and thanks for sending e-mails. I've not time to respond to all of you - but BIG THANKS -9 and see you on the usual grind next week.

Next stop West Virginia on Wednesday - 550 miles, then another 300 miles or so on Thursday to rondevous with David and Amy in Washington DC for a long family weekend.

bye ya'll!
g