What else we did in July..

We decided to take a quick trip to Southern Missouri to my parents place. Yes, to visit but also to use their tools in the wood shop. h We have another big craft planned.
Lil'Orchid loved to explore everything, the Apple Tree, the neighbors chickens & eggs, walking the stepping stones and drawing on the sidewalks. She especially loved riding the "el-e-gator" with Great Great (YeYe built an elevator in the house).

thursday

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World's Largest Catsup Bottle

In a nearby town, called Collinsville IL.,

is the World's Largest Catsup Bottle

( a Water tower) for the Brooks Catsup Plant

when it was in town.

Celebrating it's 60th B-day

and the 11th annual Festival this year. Lil' Orchid

agreed to participate in the Little Miss Tomato Pageant,

because everyone got a bottle of Brooks Rich & Tangy Catsup. It was a casual event with summer clothes, so I made her a dirndle skirt and top with a tomato print fabric. The girls ranged from 3 yrs to 6 yrs, She said her name and age, a fun fact about the catsup bottle "It was built in Louisville, KY" and then sang a song. (a little background..the mother of one of the little girls in front of us STRESSED that her girl sing HappyB-day) Needless to say, she made an impression, and Lil'Orchid sang Happy Birthday instead of her chosen song. Lil' Orchid placed 1st Runner Up!!!!! I wanted it on tape that she sing her original song on stage and the director complied and the audience listened, then more of the Park crowd came up from behind us, sighs & silence came to the park while Lil Orchid sang "God Bless America" and boy did she WOW them! Clapping, Whistling, Screams of Joy, they showed their amazement & approval. And the Pride I Felt made me cry!

She liked her flowers, she liked her trophy, but she loved her Catsup BEST!

FanFest overview

I'm gonna try to breeze through All Star Fan Fest in St Louis MO., but for a week of activities, working booths and getting autographs....What can I say....Ya just gotta LOVE BASBALL !

My daughter & I shared the working part and whoever was not working keep Lil' Orchid and had a ton of Fun. She became known as the best little girl ever. My son couldn't make it and it killed him....although the cell phone play by plays kept everyone sane. Meeting the MVP's, Hall of Farmer's and celebrities was amazing... not to mention the old memorabilia on display, don't even ask how many photos were taken.

We met Alyssa Milano, movie star (she designs MLB clothes for women), We met several women from the National Baseball Teams (A League of their own),

But I am most proud that Lil' Orchid got up on a stage in front of the Fan Fest crowd, told everyone who she was and sang "Take me out to the Ballgame" acapella for a radio station. That's My Girl!!!!

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Happy Birthday America

Another family tradition...

we try to always go and watch

the VP (Veiled Prophet)Parade,

a St Louis Tradition (it's 131st).

It was delayed for the heat thunder storms that started last night...

But when the parade was to start the rain stopped--

Thank Goodness!

Loud Bands, lots of Princesses, big Balloons,

Shriner clowns, Floats, dancers, beads,

candy and baseball. And of coarse...FIREWORKS !

The Cardinal mascot, FREDBIRD was Grand Marshall,

he is 30 yrs old this year, and it probably had to do with the

All Star Events in the coming weeks !

After the parade we walked to the Arch grounds

and Lil Orchid got to make her very own Yankee Doodle Hat.

Hope Everyone enjoyed the Fourth of July !!

WE DID.

Anniversary Waltz on a Summer Night...

In the early evening we attended a 10th Anniversary of a very sweet couple and their beautiful daughter, Olive. We had never been to Tower Grove Park in STL, but it was enchanting. Happiness and Love was truely a blessing to this couple and we Thank them for inviting us. Lil Orchid played peek a boo with their 20 month old. Lil Orchid also got to see her friend Samantha, who is 9 months younger. Heather engraved them a glass plate with the word "Family" in Korean as their gift.

We explored the park after the party. It was Beautiful.

I'm sure we will go back, the pavillions were so different and unique.

Happy 24th Birthday Nathan

Today is my son's birthday and I will not be able to be with him...

I wish him Love, and called him first thing this morning, we had to leave him a message and sang "Happy B-day" he called back as soon as he could and Thanked Everyone who sent him a Birthday Card, He is truely grateful. So Thanks Everyone, you helped make his day special!

We went to a Cardinal Baseball Game tonight (Nathan bought tickets ahead of time hoping that he could come home over his birthday) We have made it a tradition that we attend a Card's Game on his birthday..So here's to You Baby Boy! We celebrate with you in our Hearts!!

Here is some photo's from our night getting HOF Ozzie Smith's autograph.....

in his Cardinal history book, seat back from the old Bucsh Stadium, and a Helmet.

We also took some pictures by alot of the All Star Arches in downtown Kenner Plaza STL.

Sun,Mon,Tues,Wed

A week of Patriotic visions.....