Missouri

I love Missouri. Part of that love is due to the fact that I lived there until five years ago. I was born and lived in the four state area until I was ten or eleven. I lived in a town where you knew almost everyone, and if you didn't know them then they knew who you belonged to. Most of the neighborhoods are quiet and family friendly. Now I'm not saying it is perfect, but it certainly was (and still is) a nice place to grow up! 

The trees are beautiful in the fall! and the flowers are gorgeous in the spring. But fall is probably my favorite time of the year in Missouri. It's still a little to early to be seeing a lot of change in the leaves color, but there are a few trees that have started to change. In October there is a wonderful parade and festival on the Square. The Deli on the Square makes the best Cherry Limeades on the planet!

Also in the Four-State Area you can drive half an hour in any direction and be in Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, or an hour to Branson Mo. We spent a lot of time in Arkansas when I was a little girl. We would go to the Lewis and Clark stores because the had rock walls you could climb for free, and with eight kids that was an easy and affordable thing to do. We also loved to go hiking. it isn't as enjoyable for me now because I have to wear oxygen and even then I can't keep my heart rate down or stay out of breath. But I used to love it! We went to all of the nature parks in the Four-State Area. Our favorite places to go was George Washington Carver National Monument and Devils Den, Arkansas. George Washington Carver National Monument was only about twenty minutes from my home and they were normally doing some fun activity. They would have you plant peanuts, or make corn husk dolls, or candles. It was always a fun, educational experience. Whereas Devils Den has very well kept trails. They have one trail that has at least three caves on it. (That was the one we took the most I think.) The deepest and darkest of these caves is called the Devils Icebox. It gets quite cold when you get down into it. The last time I was there, however, I think the had closed the caves for an indefinite time because of an illness the bats were contracting. 

Beach fun!

I love the beach! It's so relaxing. You don't really have to do anything you don't want to. You get to sleep as much as you want. And you feel fantastic!

I had so much fun with my brothers the first day we were all there! Sadly they had to leave that evening... But it was nice to be able to spend time with them. Nick and I made a sandcastle for a small crab that tried to crawl under my foot, and Connors girlfriend Ashley and I had the opportunity to tease him mercilessly. There was a lot of sleeping and wading in the surf and doing nothing after the boys left. It was very relaxing.

The day before we came home we went out to dinner and I was so proud of myself. I tried breaded asparagus with crab on top. It was actually quite good. (I'm not a very adventurous eater...). And then we met a very playful dog at the beach. It was very cute but it was also a biter. And then its owner was angry with it. It's name was Riley.

Going to the beach

Going to the beach is one of my favorite family excursions. We have been going to the beach ever since I was a baby. In the past five years we have gone at least once a year. We normally try to go multiple times in the summer, but this year it hasn't happened to work out for us to go before now.

This is going to be a particularly fun trip because today two of my brothers, one with his fiancée and one with his girlfriend, and my dad were able to come for the day! 

Today is going to be a good day!