A couple weeks ago or so, Russ and I took advantage of a beautiful Sunday afternoon and took Millie Janalee to a semi-local apple orchard.  It was actually a little drive over to Illinois.  Eckert's has a few different farms around the area where you can pick your own foods depending on the season.  We visited the one in Belleville, IL.  The weekend we chose to go just happened to also be the first big weekend for apple picking.  So we enjoyed all the fun of Apple Fest!

We were directed to our parking spot in a field, and we walked up to the big display outside the country store.  More on that in a bit.  We walked over to the restaurant to check the wait for lunch.  The hostess suggested we put our name down for a reservation and go pick apples first.  So we did.

We stood in line to catch a big wagon over to the orchard.  Millie Janalee loved riding the "train."  Ha! The weather really could not have been more perfect.  We got a good view of the land as we rode over to apple trees that were ready for picking.  We were limited to certain rows, because the other trees weren't ready with ripe apples just yet.

We picked a row toward the back so we had more open space to play and let Millie Janalee find the apples.  Of course, her favorite apples to run to were the ones already on the ground.  It took some coaching to show her how we could pick the apples off the trees.

Daddy helping her find the perfect apple tree

She loved picking a few apples and putting them in the bag.  Russ and I added a few more, and we have enjoyed eating our apples ever since.  Russ even made a delicious dessert of some sort of cinnamon fried apple slices, and we put them over ice cream.  It has been fun for Millie Janalee to know she is eating the apples she picked.  For a while every tree we passed was an "apple tree" in here eyes.  Hehe!

When she was ready to go, we walked toward the area where the wagons drove through to drop off more people and pick up others.  Obviously, only a certain number of people could fit on each wagon.  So we didn't get to ride the first one we saw.  And this happened...

Meltdown

We enjoyed the wagon ride back to the country store so we could all pay for our apples we picked.  Millie Janalee liked doing her own shopping for all kinds of apple-related foods.  It was the neatest setup.  Inside the country store was a huge grocery store.  All kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade jams, dips, ciders, and more.  Russ enjoyed checking it all out.  Every square inch.  Ha!

We bribed Millie Janalee with a sucker.  A rock candy sucker to be exact.  So she didn't mind grocery shopping too much!

While we waited on our reservation time, Millie Janalee loved playing at the little play area nearby with some of the other kids.  She and another little boy hibernated in the playhouse a little too long before his mother and I figured out what they were doing.  Ahem.  Taking care of business.  So we took them both for a diaper change.  I know, I know.  It's time to potty train.  One day I will I promise.  But not today.

The food was delicious.  The service was great.  After filling our tummies, it was time to walk over to the Apple Fest fun.  There were rides and animals and concessions.  Russ and I walked Millie Janalee through the area so we could see exactly how many tickets we actually needed.  We knew we wouldn't stay around for much longer.  We fed the cows and goats first.  Millie Janalee introduced herself very politely..."Hi. I'm Millie."  She's just the cutest, y'all.

I batted my eyes at Russ so he would pay the $6 for Millie Janalee to ride the pony.  And it was TOTALLY. WORTH. IT!  She loved it!  Everytime she came back around, she waved and yelled "Hey Mama!"  Melt my heart.  I don't have lots of pictures because I broke out the video camera for this event.  I want to be able to hear that sweet 2 year old voice for years to come.

Before leaving, we bought enough tickets for a family choo choo train ride.  Millie Janalee picked out the sparkly red car...the caboose.  We waved at the wagons as we passed by the orchard, and Millie Janalee was in heaven.  And so were we if I'm completely honest.

Sweet family memories added to our St. Louis box.  I love these moments with my family!

First Cardinals Game

Millie Janalee and I returned from our weekend trip back home Monday evening.  Russ was happy to see us of course...and we were happy to see him too!  Tuesday, Russ's radiology group had bought out some suites at the Cardinals game and offered tickets at lower prices.  Russ and I decided it was the perfect opportunity to go to our first Cardinals game.  Millie Janalee has a slight obsession with "bawwgames" right now, so she was very excited the whole ride to the stadium.

We enjoyed complimentary dinner and drinks as we met some of Russ's coworkers.  Even within the group, it's difficult for everyone to know each other.  The group is huge for one thing.  And the schedule takes a master's degree to read!  They are basically rotating to different locations throughout the hospital every single day.  I met some of the attendings and residents he works with, and we finally got to visit with one of the fellows from Russ's residency in Memphis.  Always good to see a familiar face.

Did you know there is a Build-A-Bear inside the stadium?!  Yep, she found it.

Our little family of three enjoyed a fun night out together.  Eating hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, and Cracker Jacks.  You can't "take me out to the ballgame" without peanuts or Cracker Jacks!  Ha!

All part of our St. Louis memory box.  I love it!

Surprise Belated Birthday Party!

As soon as we arrived in town from our rough day, Russ's family gathered for a special dinner and celebration.  A belated birthday celebration for the baby of the family.  Jeff grilled pork chops, and Jenny and her mom cooked a few other delicious sides.  We sang "Happy Birthday" and everyone helped blow out her candles.  She was too disappointed that the song was over to blow them out by herself.  Ha!

Loving being the center of attention!

Making a wish

She asked for a fork but had a difficult time tackling the cupcake and the liner with her big fork.  So Aunt Jenny gave her a little assistance.  Yummy lemon cupcake!

Russ's parents had Millie Janalee's birthday gifts displayed on the living room coffee table, and Millie Janalee knew exactly where to find them.  Grace helped her open her gifts one by one and she was so excited about each one!  Gasps and "OOHHH!"s all the way around.

Our evening continued with the musical stylings of Miss Millie Janalee.  Have I mentioned how much she adores being surrounded by an audience.  Playing the "nannos" and singing "Jesus Loves Me" was her performance for the night.  And lots of big smiles to her audience as she sang.  Over and over.  Such a ham!

Eventually we all had to say our goodbyes.  Millie Janalee loves her family, and I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual!  Hugs and kisses all around.

It was such a pleasant ending to a long and difficult day.  Thankful for family and birthdays and hugs!

Time for Your Checkup

Another part of our trip home was to visit Millie Janalee's pediatrician.  I know we will need a pediatrician here in Missouri, but I just couldn't take her to a new one for her two year shots.  Not yet.  I hate shots more than she does, so I was comforted to see a familiar face.  Plus we just love him!

Before our appointments - I also had to make a last minute dental appointment before her checkup because a filling came out the week before - we met Jamie for lunch.  My mom came with us for the day, and we enjoyed catching up with Jamie!

As soon as they called us back to our room, the nurse came in to prick her finger.  Talk about a big welcome!  From there it was pretty much all downhill.  The thought of even sitting back on that white papered table was enough to throw my girl into a whirlwind of emotion.  So we sat together and snuggled.  And I gave her a paci.  Because pacis make everything better.

We got a great report!  Happy and healthy two year old.  25 pounds (10-25%) and 35 1/4 inches tall (50-75%).  She had those mean old shots and didn't pass out.  Screamed?  Yes!  But no passing out this time. Remember she has passed out before during shots.

Her lead levels were a bit elevated, so we were sent downstairs to the lab to get a better reading.  Which meant...not a finger prick.  A NEEDLE IN THE ARM like an adult!  It. Was. Horrible!  Seriously terrible.  And it seemed to last forever.  Bless her little heart!  It was a terribly long day and the needles just kept coming.  The nurse gave her a sucker when it was all over, and that seemed to make things all better.  I stopped at Walgreens to give Millie Janalee some Tylenol to help her feel better for the ride home.  Then Mama and I stopped by Sonic for a stiff drink before making the 2 hour drive back home.  We were tired.

Me thinking her obsession with Doc McStuffins would make this doctor visit fun was completely wrong.  But I am very thankful for a happy and healthy baby girl.  God is good!

Uncie Lee's "Potty"

The day we got our first set of glasses. Millie Janalee and I traveled the 5 1/2 hours to visit family for the first time since the move.  I have never had such a busy visit in my life.  Nonstop!  But we had such a great time.

Literally, our first stop was to visit my sister and her little family to celebrate her husband's birthday.  We arrived right before the birthday boy.  Kristin and Lee's mom (Aunt Nana) made and/or delivered a yummy dinner from Olive Garden complete with a mocha birthday cake!

As soon as Millie Janalee walked up to their door and say the birthday cake door hanger, she started yelling "Potty!"  Yes, we are having a PARTY.  "Potty" time!  She had a blast and loved wearing her birthday hat.  Off to the side, of course, so there was still room for the bow.

So happy we are able to make it in for special occasions and celebrate with our family!  Hughes has nearly doubled in size since we saw him last.  These two are gonna be so much fun to watch as they grow.

Happy birthday Uncie Lee!  We hope it was the best one yet.

Festival of Nations

Russ and I decided, when we moved to the St. Louis area, that we would take advantage of all the city has to offer.  Or at least as much as we can.  The end of August we made a family Saturday out of it and headed for Forest Park for the Festival of Nations.  It is a huge multicultural event featuring over 40 ethnic food booths from various countries/regions, dancing and music, arts and crafts, and a bazaar with unique gifts from around the world.

It was also probably the hottest day of the year.  Ha!  We were all soaked by the time we left, but we had such a great time!

Listening to Nigerian music/singing

Trying native food from Iran

One of the residents under Russ is from Iran.  He and his girlfriend (or wife...I can't remember) helped with the Iran food booth.  They offered Russ some food free of charge, and Russ is always game for any kind of food!  Ha!  We had a nice visit with Sam and his girlfriend before continuing our stroll taking in the sights.  There were SO MANY different kinds of people there!  So interesting. And very fun!

We watched some of the Mexican dancers perform for a while.  Then Millie Janalee met some of the ladies waiting for their turn to perform.  She loved their costumes!  The ladies kept telling her to, "Look at Poppy" when Russ was taking her picture.  She was probably very confused.  Ha!

We strolled upon the international bazaar area of the festival.  I loved looking at all the unique gifts from around the world.  There was jewelry, clothing, handmade fans, Russian dolls, and so so much more!  Russ and I decided to let Millie Janalee pick something out.  She chose this sweet little doll.  Since that day, Russ has had to doctor her eyes with gorilla glue.  Millie Janalee was devastated that her "bebbies" had lost her eye.  We learned that coloring her eye in with a Sharpie just would NOT do.  Ha!  Needless to say, the doll was a hit!

She found the one!

"Yep.  That's it Daddy!"

Sweet baby love

We finished our afternoon with a nice big cup of fresh squeezed lemonade while watching the belly dancers perform.  Obviously, this man is having a little too much fun...

We are so blessed to have these opportunities to enjoy as a family!  Thankful for our "year long vacation" as I call it.