Missouri Vacation | Kansas City

The third and final leg of our Missouri trip consisted of a one-night stay in Kansas City. We caught up with my college friend MM and her family, a welcome kid-centric finale to our midwest trek. Our time together was so relaxed, it honestly felt like we lived in the same city and were spending a normal weekend together just hanging out. Nothing beats new toys and other kids to play with :) 

Westwood in particular is darling -- I loved getting a glimpse into their daily life, seeing their home, and all the walkable destinations in their neighborhood. It's such a treat to visit someone who loves their city and is happy to play tour guide/ambassador :)  

Highlights:
- Lunch from The Mixx
- Dinner from Lulu's Thai Noodle Shop
- Gelato from The Flying Cow
- An overnight stay at The Embassy Suites :) 
- Union Station and Science City 

Party of nine with one more on the way :) 
-SJW

Missouri Vacation | The Farm

Every summer of my childhood we drove 12 hours from Texas to my Papa's farmhouse in Jefferson City, Missouri. We'd spend several weeks on the farm, visiting family and relaxing. After a dry spell of seven years, it felt so right to be back...this time with three children in tow! It's hard to capture how special it was to be there with my parents and watch my kids experience all the magic of the farm for the first time -- epecially their first jump in the pond :) We had so many highlights, but I'll let my mom's poem capture the extent of our stay:

First Farm Visit - 2023

This was the grandkids first time to the farm

To discover all of its rural charm.

Living in Seattle, it’s city scapes they seek

Here in mid-MO they were country kids for the week.

With the barn as their backdrop, they ran wild and free.

Such a wonderful sight for their Mirma to see.

Jumping with abandon off the farm pond dock,

Climbing and playing on the old sand rocks.

Spotting turtles, snakes and fireflies,

Watching the wide wonder in their eyes.

We collected rocks, feathers, and sticks,

And pulled off a number of pesky ticks.

A Whippoorwill’s call and woodpecker’s knock,

We listened to birdsongs as in the hammock we rocked.

From the field we heard a wild turkey call,

From down in the pasture came a young calf’s bawl.

Hiking a trail through the woods,

Eating corn on the cob and summertime foods.

On the 4 wheeler with Poppa for ride alongs,

Pounding the old piano with their made-up songs.

Water balloons, bubbles, and sprinkler play,

Were all in the course of a summer day.

In my hometown we visited favorite sites—

The Capitol, nature center, and Central Dairy for ice cream bites.

Visits with uncles, cousins and aunts,

Checking the growing garden plants.

The kids loved just digging in dirt.

Mirma was happy they didn’t get hurt!

Roasting hotdogs over the fire,

Yelling”Be careful of the electric wire!”

We hold this special place in veneration,

Passing our traditions to a new generation.

I’m sure my parents were smiling from above

To see these kids at the farm they so loved.

So very thankful for this place to gather,

Though it’s rustic and simple, there’s no place I’d rather.

One of my favorite places in the world,

-SJW

Missouri Vacation | St. Louis

June marked our first vacation of the summer -- a Missouri road trip, consisting of three different legs:
1) four nights in St. Louis to visit a college friend and meet my boss for the first time
2) nine nights in Jefferson City at our family's farmhouse, country living at its finest!
3) one night in Kansas City to visit another college friend

Working as an Executive Assistant for a St. Louis nonprofit, I've become very familiar with the city via Google maps, street names, restaurants, and coffee shops. It was so fun to be there in person -- get a feel for the neighborhoods (there's so much brick!), eat at some of the local spots, and see the city to scale :) The fact that one of my bridesmaids now lives in St. Louis made the visit all the better -- catching up with her and her husband was such a treat. Even the part where we get absolutely drenched in a pouring rainstorm in Forest Park! Plus, they graciously put our children to bed one evening so we could go on a double date with my boss and his husband. What a luxury!

While I squeezed in a work day, Mr. Fleece took the children to the STL Zoo and made the visit extra special by purchasing stuffed animals -- a coral snake (NLW), a black footed-penguin (CCW), and a llama (EDW). The zoo was such a hit that we went back as a family on our last day! We also got to celebrate Father's Day together at Winslow's Table and Mr. Fleece took NLW to see his first live performance at the Fox Theater "Bluey's Big Play," with characters we're familiar with from the beloved show, Bluey. 

More Highlights:
- Wandering through The Novel Neighbor
- Walking Lafayette Square
- Clementine's Ice Cream
- Hanging out with K&C
- Touring the office and grabbing lunch with a coworker
- Staying at the "Zoo Bungalow" Airbnb
- Playing at Turtle Playground
- Getting take-out at Revel Kitchen (twice!)
- Shopping at Schultz
- Magic House Children's Museum 

We'll be back to the Lou,

-SJW

The Epitome of Summer

Fourth of July is hands down my favorite holiday. There's no pressure for gifts or traditions, it's just a best-of summer fun day :) 

Past years have included the following celebrations:
- Nationals baseball game and Washington D.C. fireworks (got engaged the night before!)
- Swimming pool fun
- San Francisco trip with ice cream and fireworks
- Camping with friends
- Friend's wedding in Austin
- Watching fireworks from SLU
- Multiple BBQ with friends
- Greenlake picnic and sailing on Lake Washington
- Rialto Beach and lakehouse stay on the Olympic Peninsula
- West Seattle Kid's Parade
- Block Party 

This year we opted for a baseball game and cheered on the DubSea Fish Sticks, a summer collegiate league team. At $12 a tickets with the twins getting in free, this was just our speed. We got the ballpark experience I love in a family-friendly setting. This was also our third year to celebrate with neighbors on our street's block party. Water guns, chalk art, wagon rides, sparklers, and a delicious summertime spread. Happy Birthday, America!

Thankful for the freedom to choose, vote, and celebrate,

SJW