Monday B told me he’d be home late because he had to get through his work so he could go to game 7 of the World Series in St. Louis. I was one hot momma wanting to go with him and see my family. My Auntie Barb (mom’s sister) and Uncle Jay live there and I hadn’t seen them since my wedding. He goes to bed and tells me he doubts he’ll go. So Tuesday I get back in the car after taking Ben to school and see a text from Billy that said to call my family because we’re going to St. Louis THAT NIGHT! I was so excited. My fabulous aunt and uncle put their plans aside and let us come see them. We had the BEST time (minus the baseball games of course). They totally spoiled both boys and the boys warmed right up to them. On his own Ben called them “grandma” and “grandpa.” Their grandkids call them “Cici” and “Papa” and he ended up interchanging those names. I was also completely spoiled having so much help. Instead of having Ben sleep on the floor we put him in bed with us. Briggs had some sleeping issues and spent half the time in bed with us,too. It was cozy to say the least (yet their king size bed seemed so much bigger than ours). The weather was cold, the leaves were colorful and the family was wonderful!
Highlights of our mini, impromptu vacation!
We drove all night and got there for breakfast. The boys were amazing. My aunt had a great breakfast waiting for us and Uncle Jay snapped Briggs up immediately.
Briggs took many naps on the floor (why won’t he do that at home?)
My cousin Jon dropped off one of Nate’s racetracks for Ben to play with. He even played with Emily’s dollhouse.
Uncle Jay has always played the harmonica and he taught Ben how to play. Ben carried his “monica” in his pocket the entire time.
The boys warmed up to the dogs very quickly. Before we left Ben was giving Katie hugs and kisses. She even let Briggs play and tug at her.
Briggs helped Auntie Barb make dinner. She gave him plastic spoons to play with and he had a blast!
They have an amazing yard. I remember running around it when I was little catching fireflies. It was cool outside, but great weather to run around in and it was neat to watch Ben run around the same yard. Cody is the coolest dog. He’s like a little person. Ben enjoyed chasing Cody fetch the tennis ball. B wants a dog now just like Cody and is currently on the comjputer looking up dogs. Don’t get me started on that…
The first thing my Aunt and I did after eating breakfast when we arrived was take the boys to the most fabulous playground I have ever seen. It was built to be accessible for kids with disabilities, but it was so much fun and Ben loved it. I didn’t worry about him falling off of things and he played and played. It even started to sprinkle and we let him keep running.
This is how Briggs enjoyed the park.
Uncle Jay got the boys disturbing St. Louis Cardinals’ hats to wear. He got Ben to shout, “Go Cards” over and over while B worked on “Go Rangers” and I worked on “Go Cubs.” It was fun to see what he’d shout.
I got to see my cousins! Ashley, Julie and Bill came over brought Ben matchbox cars to play with. I even got to see Nicole the newlywed!
Getting some Julie love
Ashley and Nichole (my 2nd cousins) finally got to meet the boys.
Uncle Jay and Briggs spent tons of time together. Notice Cody. He has the life!
Ben loved Gracie the bird. She lives in the sunroom when not on Jay’s shoulder. Ben would go over and talk to her. They keep the tv on for her sometimes and when he figured out he could watch it he started to watch cartoons with Gracie. He now loves Spongebob and doesn’t understand why mommy won’t let him watch it at home.
Wagon rides! First Uncle Jay found this old wooden wagon in the basement and gave it to Ben (even though I explained we already have one). Now each boy has one. Then he hooked it up to the lawn mower and took Ben on rides. We spent lots of time in the basement as well playing baseball with Ben.
Ben would walk over to “Papa” and tell him what he wanted to do and Uncle Jay would jump up and do it. Here they’re going on golf cart rides. Riding home from dinner one night Ben said he wanted to go on the boat (which as already been winterized). As we are telling him it’s too cold, Uncle Jay pipes in and says he’ll get the fluid needed tomorrow and we can go on it. Umm, I don’t think so! I’m telling you, Ben wraps everyone around his fingers!
Trying it out himself.
We so wanted these geese to turn on Ben, heehee!
Auntie Barb showed me tons of OLD family photos, many over 100 years old. This is my grandparents’ marriage certificate from 1935! The pictures were so neat to see. Grammy Boo was beautiful when she was young. Such valued treasures.
The plan was that if game 6 was played without a delay I would get to go, but if it was delayed and/or there was a game 7, Jonathan was driving up and going with B. I was SO excited to go to game 6 and crushed when it was delayed. Jonathan drove up Thursday about an hour before the game and I tried and tried to get B to get me a ticket until the very last minute. Pretty sure Jonathan wanted to strangle me he was so annoyed, but I was not going to give up. I’m already thinking of all the things I’m getting/doing to make up for my loss!
Jay smoked ribs for the boys before the game.
My sweetie in his ugly hat
The boys before the heart attack inducing game 6. Those smiles were not there when they got home.
The boys tried to stay up and look for Daddy.
So while we were at White Castle eating lunch on Friday (hands down the WORST place ever) the guys were trying to decide what to do about their tickets for game 7. After they decided to go we went to Walmart so B could get something warm to wear under his clothes. Give him some tiem and his mind will come up with some crazy ideas. This is what a wig, blue spray paint, red fabric, big glasses and blue windpants will result in (I sewed the T onto his sweatshirt). Since Cardinal colors are red, he wanted to make sure he was blue. Jonathan left early yesterday morning. I can’t believe he made the LONG drive alone. Ashlee is a very nice wife because I’m not sure I could let B do that alone.
He thinks he’s so cool. Sadly someone stole his wig on their way out. Maybe the 3rd time will be the charm for the Rangers. Or better yet, maybe the Cubs will win next year instead!
I was SO sad to leave yesterday morning. Ben even cried. Thank you Aunt Barb and Uncle Jay for an incredible few days. I’ll definitely have to come up with Grams and the boys this summer.
While Grams and Pops celebrated their 32nd anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa Conroy celebrated their 55th! Amazing! To help them celebrate we had a family celebration at B’s Aunt and Uncle’s A.MAZ.ING house. More like a resort. We drove down to Austin on Friday for the occasion. After a stop for lunch in Waco, Ben finally fell asleep.
