Family getaway to St. Louis

On Thursday evening after work, Chris and I loaded up the kids and took off for St. Louis. I'm not going to lie- I was a little more than nervous for this trip, since Bailey can't go 5 minutes in the car without screaming. But our ward only goes to the temple once a year- and its the only time we get to go- so we felt like we needed to be there. Luckily Nanny, Papa, Uncle Joe, Aunt Julieta and Clark were going up to St. Louis too. They drove in a separate car and met us at the hotel that night.
We took off, stopped and got some dinner before leaving town and then drove and drove and drove. We already had the kids in their sleepers and they'd had their baths, so they were ready for bed. Tanner ate 1 1/2 chicken nuggets and he was out like a light in his car seat. Bailey cried for the first 10 minutes and she too proceeded to pass out and they both slept the entire 5-hour drive there. Heavenly Father must have helped us out here- because normally Bailey is a terror in the car. SHE DID AWESOME. They both did. Unfortunately, when we got to our hotel they both woke up and were totally wired from their "5-hour naps" It took us about an hour to get settled down again. So we all ended up going to bed around midnight. Crazy long day
wide awake at 11 pm

They next morning we got up and went to the temple (while Uncle Joe watched our kids)
Happy Bailey in the morning

We did an early session and came back to check out and pick up our babies.
Before leaving the Hotel

Then they whole crew went to P.F. Changs for Lunch- DELISH!
My HAPPY travelers!


Then we headed over to the St. Louis Arch. I'd been when I was little and wanted Chris to see it. We rode to the top in the tiny little car- then looked through the tiny windows at the top over the city. The arch is 630 feet tall. You feel so far up when you are looking over the city.

Tanner wasn't sure about the whole experience but all in all we had a good time.
Tanner looking out the windows at the top of the Arch over the city

Us inside the top of the Arch (yes Tanner loves me)

At the northern base of the Arch


Downtown St. Louis was crazy after the second Cards game- everyone was gearing up for the final game of the series. There were Card fans everywhere. But it was fun to be there and see everyone's enthusiasm.

We changed the kids back into their sleepers and loaded them back into the car and drove another 5-hours home.
I know that it sounds like boring, but we had a wonderful trip. The kids slept on the way home and we got back to our house at a decent hour this time. Chris and I spent 10 hours talking in the car without kids interrupting us. Beautiful! And we enjoyed the time with my family while in St. Louis. Now we are looking forward to a getaway without the kids...Someday!