Riechmann Family: June 2011

Zoo Bound!

Last Thursday, the kids and I joined Sarah and her crew to visit the Zoo! It must have been a popular destination that week because it was SUPER crowded. We were able to see the animals and the sea lion show, but to Braden's disappointment, we didn't get a chance to see the sharks and sting rays or ride the train :( The babies couldn't have handled any more that day. I promised that our next trip would have those items at the top of the To Do list! We had beautiful weather and we were home by 2:30. I was one VERY tired Momma! I'm sure we will try the zoo again in the next couple of weeks!

Alayna sat on the carousel...she didn't like the moving ones.

My big kids on the carousel :)

Sarah and her boys...their first time on the carousel!

Braden took this one...not bad :)

At the River's Edge...Fun day!!

Goodbye Tball...Hello Freedom!

Ok, that may be a bit overly dramatic, but we've been scheduled to play Tball 3 days a week since May! Now, with rain outs, we only played 13 games, but it felt like a LOT more! The season was a success and I'd say the majority of the players made vast improvements over the past few months. We had a lot of "big hitters" on our roster! Kendall was not one of them, but she powered through and finished the season. She won't be playing again next year (or maybe ever), but Braden is looking forward to playing in Glen Carbon next year! A big "Thank YOU!" to Coach Daddy, Coach Randy, and Coach Mike for making it a fun filled season!

Avery ate her way through the Tball season!

Noelle and Braden

Kendall Grace #9

Big Hitter #5

Coach Daddy giving advice on batting

Coach Randy helping Kendall bat. For her it's always the first time!

Swing!!

Kendall's favorite part was standing (or more like hanging and pulling) by Daddy in the field. She could usually be found picking grass or flowers or dancing around.

Actually standing like she's going to get a ball. I'm not sure that she ever did the whole season :)

10th Anniversary!!

Hard to believe that Dustin and I have been married for 10 years and together for almost 16! It has been a wonderful journey and I couldn't ask for more...we have been truly blessed! To celebrate, we took a little "staycation" (thanks to Mimi and Papa) and spent a weekend in Saint Louis. We stayed downtown and took in the sights we rarely get to see with our kids. We visited the botanical gardens, toured the brewery, ate at lovely restaurants, went to bars on Washington Ave, gambled away our money, and attended Sunday Mass alone!! We very much enjoyed our time together, but we were ready to get back to reality...hotel living isn't for us!

At Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. GREAT food! They knew it was our anniversary so they brought out a dessert, but we had already ordered one with our meal. Dustin ate them both!

He couldn't stop himself :)

I made him sit on this couch since it was purple and matched his purple shirt.

The view from our second room. We asked to be moved so we could have a queen bed instead of two doubles. When we were first married we could have slept in a twin, but 10 years later we need more room :)

Planning our day and enjoying some starbucks from the hotel lobby.

At the Botanical Gardens.

Playing in the kids area. I wouldn't do this rope bridge...

I was forced to do this one so we could continue exploring!

Aww...so cute!

Hideous fish in the Japanese Garden.

Maze by the original Shaw home.

Attempting self photography. Fail.

Overlooking the maze.

My turn!

I love this picture. This was also one of my favorite things at Gardens.

Dustin's turn to take my picture yet again.

A random lady took this and I edited it to zoom in and make us off center. One of my favorite kinds of pictures is when the subjets are not centered!

GIANT "Fishbowl" beer at Rigazzi's on the Hill at lunch.

We actually shared one since I don't think anyone SHOULD finish it by themselves :)

Posing in the truck at the brewery.

After I graduated beer school I posed by the barley display since I know the difference between 2 row and 6 row!

Dustin, the hops expert :)

Our lovely dinner at Vin de Set. It was so good and the rooftop dining was excellent!

Avery at 11 Months!

Oh, Avery! She is such a cutie...I think we're in trouble with this one! Here are some of Avery's stats this month:

*Walking/Running everywhere, especially where she's not supposed to be!

*Saying Mama, Baba, Dada, and her new favorite "Hi!"

*Weighs about 25 lbs and wearing 12-18 month clothes (and some of Kendall's old 24mo stuff!)

*Dislikes being held (only wants to run around when she's awake)

*Will stay in her playpen if she can watch Baby Einstein videos

*Eats almost everything

*Usually a good sleeper

*Has 6 teeth, but is working hard on her molars! (Also grinds her teeth...YUCK!)

*Smiles a lot and loves to yell nonsense

*Enjoys swimming at the pool

*Has "Go Go Gadget Arms" and can reach almost anything on the table

*Favorite hobby is taking all of my dishtowels out of the drawer with the broken child lock

Getting into stuff!

Getting so big!!

Loving on her blankie!!

Swimming Lessons

I signed the kids up for classes at the Y this summer. Kendall is taking dance, Braden Karate, and they both completed a week of swimming lessons. Braden is the outgoing, brave one, and Kendall is more afraid and reserved. By the end of the week they had both made such great improvements!! They are signed up to do it again at the end of July. The biggest obstacle is keeping Avery occupied for 50 minutes while they are swimming!! Here are some not so great pictures since they frown on parents stepping out onto the swim deck area.