Alta is 3!

Yesterday, June 20, Alta turned three. I can't believe how fast the past three years have gone. She is incredibly smart. She can run super fast, talk super fast, throw the world's biggest tantrums, give the world's biggest hugs, ride her tricycle, swing on her own, and a million other things. The best thing about her is her loving heart, she is a true nurturer and love to mother things. She likes to help whenever she can, except when it comes to picking up her stuff. She loves her big brothers and her little sister and calls them her best friends. She also has a neighbor girl that she calls her best friend. She loves dresses and having her hair "like a princess". She loves bath time but hates having her hair washed.

Her party, was of course, Cinderella themed, she loves her "Cinderelly" and thinks that she is Cinderella. We celebrated on Tuesday since Sam had to work yesterday. She got a bunch of cute presents, including a Barbie purse and accessories, a baby doll (that looks like Lena) with a blanket crocheted by Granny Joann, a picnic basket with toy food, candy, Disney movies, bubbles, and a paint book. The sweetest thing she got was her cupcake necklace that Landon got for her with his own money. We got her sand toys because Sam is building her a sandbox. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things she got, so I apologize if I didn't list your gift.

We also went to the zoo last Friday for her birthday. We didn't get to do as much as usual due to construction at the zoo and me getting sore and needing to leave a little sooner than normal, but we still saw a lot and had a lot of fun.

Yesterday we spent the day at home, until Landon had to be taken to urgent care for a bee sting, which ended up with an EpiPen prescription, but that's another story.

I'm so proud of the little girl she is becoming, she is a great person to be around and sweet 99% of the time. Everything is "Pretty" and "Beautiful". She sees the best in everyone and everything, I hope she stays that way.

(Please excuse the sores on her nose, she had impetigo, which has since cleared up. But it never fails, someone always has something going on during a birthday or holiday.)

Meramec State Park- Vacation Day 3

On day 3, we woke up leisurely, then went and had breakfast with Dad and Nanoo. They decided to go visit family that lived in the area, while we went sight seeing again. We made plans that night to celebrate Ali's birthday at their camper.

After breakfast, we were off! First stop was Riverside Wildlife Center, in Stanton, MO.

At first glance, you think to yourself. Ummm, maybe we should just keep driving. But we went in, and it was wonderful!

We had a tour guide who told us all about the animals, how they care for them, how they acquired them, (most were unwanted exotic pets), and he would share a personal story about that animal. You could tell they really cared for the animals and each one was special in their own ways.

Every single worker was kind and had a smile on their face.

When you first go out into the animal sanctuary, you go by the alligators. Really close to the alligators. Really close. Close enough where they could eat you. Seriously.

After the alligators, were an iguana, chickens, pheasants, and a goat.

We also got to see a fox, bobcats, emus, and a few other animals. 

But the main attraction for me was the beautiful tigers, Jasmine and Jafar, and the lion, Leo.

After the outside animals, you go in to the reptile room. In the room they have a lot of snakes, a few turtles, a GIANT snapping turtle, as well as the move it move its, the lemurs. 

Someone was a little happy about holding a snake. 

We don't like to move it move it. At all. 

Ali would have spent all day sticking her tongue out at this guy.

Cute baby alligators

Petting the alligator

Park would not sit still

Landon petting the alligator. Parker would not go near it.

It was awesome, if you are ever near Stanton, go check them out! 

Riverside Wildlife Center

After the Wildlife Center, we went down the road a ways to Meramec Caverns. You may know this as Jesse James' hideout. Since we had toured the cave 2 years previously, and did Onondaga cave the day before, we skipped the cave tour. 

We did however, go on the riverboat ride. It happened to be the kids' first ever boat ride. They did awesome. And we learned a bit about the river and the wildlife in the river. 

A little nervous

Parker has his thinking tongue out.

This guy welcomed us back to shore.

After the boat ride, the kids "mined" for gold, rocks, fossils, and other things at the Meramec Mining Co.

My loves, with me photobombing.

Still has his thinking tongue out.

After mining, and getting some old fashioned drinks and candy in the fudge shop, we headed east on I44, and went to the Rt. 66 museum. 

The kids were not impressed with this, and had quite enough sight seeing for the day, so the museum was a quick walk through. 

Ali would not pose with them. 

After the museum, it was back to Sullivan, to go to Wal-Mart to buy Ali's birthday cake and get some pizzas and have a little birthday party. 

Papa and his namesake

Opening her puppy

Sitting with their Nanoo, one of their favorite people in the world. 

After the party, it was back to the cabin and time for baths and bed and get ready for the next day. 

Stay tuned for day 4!