Thursday, July 7, 2011

St. Louis (part one)

We have been saying that as much as we love the beach, or should I say~ as much as the girls and I love the beach, we need to see other parts of the country.  This year St. Louis got the honor!  Our first neighbors, Brent and Casey, live right outside of St Louis in the historical town of Webster Grove.  So with some planning around their family activities and our family activities, we were able to spend the 4th of July in St. Louis.  And it was AMAZING!!!
We got to there house Sunday afternoon!
The St John's beautifully restored historic home! 
It is the second oldest (I think I am right) oldest home in Webster Grove!

After getting the car unpacked, the bottom fell out.  Our plans for the evening were washed out so we quickly shifted to plan b.  We went to a great little neighborhood place and fell in LOVE with toasted raviolis!  
We got up with a full plate for July 4th!  So we all were hoping the rain would go away.  And it did long enough for us to get down to the Webster Grove Parade.  Brent and Clay had gone over early to claim our spot and about 9:30 with the wagon loaded, we headed over.  Almost on cue, as the parade started, it began to rain....but only for about 10 minutes.  It did not stop the parade and the small town Americana feel that would only grow thru the day!

 This was the lead off of the Webster Grove Parade!!! This would be the first of three times we would get to see these majestic animals!  What a way to start a Parade! 
Andrew, Emma, and Katherine enjoying their view of the parade!
 
 Clay and Brent enjoying the parade!
 Casey and Christopher waving the flag and getting the bag filled with goodies!
Mary Lane enjoying the parade in MY SEAT!
After the parade, we went home to a lunch ribs and all the trimmings!  Then loaded up and headed downtown.  We walked down to the arch where there was a ton of things going on.  There was a really cool air show.  AND TONS of people watching before it was time to head to the stadium to watch the SL Cardinals play the Cincinnati Reds. 
Outside of the Stadium, we took a moment for a family shot! 
The first pitch of the game....I think we felt the breeze from that one!
View from my sit.....we were sitting in the first row at the dugout behind 1st base! 
David Freese~23~3rd Base coming off the field from batting.
Katherine took a shot of me with our view in the background~ SWEET!!!! 
And there he is~ TONY!!!! 
Thanks to Emma knowing how it works~ Mary Lane got a ball that
was used in the game!  Now we have to go back to another game so
that she can get it signed!  They sign before the game!

The Cardinals WON and went on to win the first two games of the three days series with Reds!!!  Now it was time to make our way to Arch for some more people watching and fireworks!  And did we see some interesting people.  It is funny when you are people watching with a like minded person....all Casey and I had to do was look at each other!  So we kept ourselves very entertained till it got dark enough for the fireworks~

We had a great view, but the pictures don't do it justice! 
Grand Finale with right over the Old Cathedral!

Like clockwork, we got up and walked really fast to the car....Brent had parked with easy access to get out!  Well, another plan B because traffic was bumper to bumper.  Thank goodness, Brent and Casey know St. Louis like the back of their hands and in a flash we were home and in bed!  July 5th would be a LONG full day for the Minatras with LOTS of adventures!  We had such a wonderful July 4th, with lots of great memories made with really great friends!!  We have had the opportunity over the years to see fireworks in some cool places....I think our 4th of July 2011 in St Louis is up there at the top! 
Our St Louis Trip Blog.........to be continued!




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