Harry S. Truman

This week, we set a Jr. Ranger record for our family!  We earned 3 badges in one week!  WHEW! :)
We went to Independence, MO. and visit the Truman Museum & Library, and a personal tour of his home. 
It was SO fun to learn about his childhood and upbringing as a farmer.  He also fell in love and persued his wife, Bess, for many years.  (they were just children when he met her in Sunday school) :)

We read about his tough decision, which is quite controversial, in regards to using the atomic bombs in Japan.  He was a president that loved this country, and did his best to defend and protect its citizens.  He was also a family man, and a simple farmer at heart.  ;)

Here at the museum, are their graves.  Bess was born, raised and died in Independence, MO.

The ranger was SO friendly, and the kids not only recieved their certificates, but also got a badge & a cool patch!  Parker was too young to earn a badge, but the ranger gave a cool Truman pin. :)

Blessings,
Steph

Ulysses S. Grant tour & farm

For our next Jr. Ranger badge, we went to Ulysses S. Grant's home and museum.  We had a great Ranger, who was very friendly and knowlegeable.  It was just like stepping back in time as we walked through his home and grounds. :)

In these pics, you can see the original walls and paint!  White Haven was the name of their home, and Julia, his wife, personally picked out the paris-green color of paint.  :)
Below, are the outside buildings of the kitchen and ice house.

After getting our badges, we strolled on over to Grant's Farm. 

The Clydesdales were so beautiful.  It reminds me of Pa's horse team on Little House on the Prairie. :)

Part of the farm has a really nice trolley ride through out the property, and it shows Grant's log home that he built himself for Julia, and a cool fence, surrounding the estate, with 2100 rifle barrels for the posts!

On the ride through out the property, there were all kinds of animals just roaming freely.  It was quite a site!  From white-tailed deer to long-horn cattle to BUFFALO!  Even a zebra and ostrich! :)

The girls especially liked the baby goats. :)

We also enjoyed an elephant show.  He gave us all a big "shower" and blew up this balloon for Parker. :)

Did I mention.....a BIG balloon?!  (full of elephant "hot air!")
We had a big laugh later when we saw the camels and the llamas. :)
I did not get a pic, unfortuately, but Uncle Alan and one of his sons, both, got sneezed on!  It was hilariously gross! :)

Blessings,
Steph

Zach's Corner!!

While we were in St. Louis, MO., the Haigood boys built a new LEGO creation with Zach!

May 15, 2011
"The Kingdom of Dagar!"

Blessings,
Steph

St. Louis Botanical Gardens

While we were in St. Louis visiting the Haigoods, and catching up, we went to the Botanical Gardens.  On Wednesdays, admission to the gardens and the children's area were FREE, as long as you went BEFORE 10am.  BONUS! :)

This was our first time to a Botanical Garden, and I have to say, that although, it is not as entertaining as an amusement park, or beach, or zoo, it was a great experience. 
I have NEVER seen so many colors of roses and types of trees and plants in one area in my life!

This children's area was a hit with all the kids!  They had a great play area and cave, and an area where the kids could work with dams.  This seemed to be one of the most interesting sites; maybe because there was water involved, and it was pretty hot that day! :)

The Gardens also had an enormous Rainforest inside of an attrium.

There were beautiful waterfalls and huge plants and trees.  You could definitely feel the humidity. :)

Blessings,
Steph

Todd is 40!!!

YEAH!!!!
YEE HAW!!!
He has the gray hair to prove it too!!!
Todd turned 40 this week, and got to do something he has ALWAYS wanted to do!!!

You see, I have been planning his birthday surprise since the end of January!  ;)
I did not tell him a thing about it, and made him drive and follow the directions until we arrived and he saw and read the sign, "ARCHWAY SKYDIVING." 
This was his reaction:

He was SOOO pumped!
I have always given him a hard time about dangerous stuff like this, because I do not want to be afraid of him not only DYING, but also, just getting hurt.  But, I knew how much he would LOVE to do this, and I know that the Lord is in control.  :)

He watched a training video, and talked with the instructor about all the procedures.

All the while, I am FREAKING OUT!  I was SO stressed!  The weather was awful on the way, and I was praying that he could jump and have the best birthday ever.....yeah, praying that my husband jumps from a plane 12000ft. up in the sky!!!  WHAT!?!

God is SO good.  We went outside to look at the sky, and the clouds opened up!  :)

That is him!  The kids thought it was AWESOME, and they totally think that their dad is the bravest man to ever walk this earth. :)

Safe landing. :)

Happy 40th Birthday Todd!  We love you, and thank God for you!

Blessings,
Steph

St. Louis Arch & Sweet Friends!!!

While we were in the St. Louis area, we  got to spend precious time with our dear friends, the Haigoods!  We have been friends for about 13 years, and have always had so much fun when we get together.  On one of our outings, we decided to visit the "Arch," and earn our Jr. Ranger badges! :)  It was the first time for the Haigoods boys, so it was extra exciting for them and us. ;)

This is the view from the TOP of the Arch!  Yes, we did go all the way up to the top!  It was pretty intimidating for me, but the kids LOVED it!

Oh, yeah.  630ft. tall and 630ft. wide!  We watched a really interesting documentary about the Arch, and how it was built, back in 1962.

Here is the other side view of the "Old Courthouse" down below.
After our little "ride," we got our materials for the Jr. Ranger program, and walked through the museum.

There was also a great Ranger Talk, about the many uses from buffalo!

The kids recieved their badges, and it was a great experience!

Later on, at the Haigoods, Zach was in LEGO heaven, and Micah and he built a new "Zach's Corner" LEGO creation!

We also had "movie night" in their backyard with a really ingenious set up using their fence and a projector!  It was like a drive-in theatre!  Too cool! :)

What a wonderful start to a fun-filled week!
Blessings,
Steph

Laura Ingalls Wilder - I just LOVE her!

The Golden Gang are Little House on the Prairie junkies, and proud of it!  :)
I just love the books, the tv series, and the REAL life lessons they teach. 

While we were in Mansfield, we went to Laura's homes.  This one is the one she spent most of her older  years in with Manly. :)  He built this home and pretty much everything in it.  We enjoyed the tour SO much!  To actually walk in and smell her home and see it just as she left it was just awesome!  We saw her sweet kitchen and her lovely desk where she penned most of the Little House books!

If you see on the far left of the picture, their home started as just the small 2 windowed room and the section with the screened porch.  They added on as the years went on. 

This "Rock House" as it is refered to, was built and given to Laura and Manly by their only daughter, Rose.
They lived here for 8 years, until Rose decided to spread her wings and move to the big city, then moved back to the little white house, until their deaths.

There was a lot that we liked about this home, compared to the other home, because it had a more modern touch, like a washer and dryer, :), but the little white house just FELT like home, ya know? 
I found myself not wanting to leave the little, white one, the way I feel when I am at my Mema's home. :)
Afterwards, the kids ran down the hill and hummed the "Little House" theme a MILLION times! :)

It was just simply wonderful. 
Here, the kids were trying to get a ball out of Dad's hands, and they ALL had to tackle him to get it!

Blessings,
Steph