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Ah, St. Louis.

We made it back from our St. Louis trip and it was fabulous as always. Of course it ended too soon and we're already talking about when we can go back. For some reason this trip left me feeling a little homesick with a twinge of sadness. Maybe it was because the weather was to die for and we got to see almost all of our old buddies. And maybe it was because it's been one heck of a winter up here and we really needed to get away. But I miss our friends and our old town [and I've rarely said that since we left]. I'll be fine once we get back into our daily routine but we really do need to make more of an effort to see our friends 'down south.'

Oh, and just to clarify....neither my family nor Keri live in St. Louis. Just old friends and lots of memories:) I lived there for 8 years including my college years and it definitely feels like home.

Okay, onto the pictures. I'll start by making my fellow Milwaukee girls jealous.....you see, St. Louis has a season called 'Spring' and it's fabulous. Warm weather, green grass, FLOWERS, and budding trees. I almost forgot what Spring looks like. So I had to take a bajillion pictures to remember:)














I know, it's sickening, isn't it?

And onto the weekend events: we got into St. Louis much earlier than expected because work let us go early on Friday. Talk about a nice surprise!

When we arrived Hannah, Kim, and Maggie were waiting for us with lots and lots of vino. Nate called it an early night but us chicas had a lot of chatting to do. In fact, we stayed up until 4 a.m. which technically makes us really cool and young again. Let's just say I didn't feel too young the next morning but that's another story.

My picture from Friday night? Our rings, of course. Sometimes I pretend to be a wedding photographer, didn't you know? We took all of our rings to the jeweler the next day for a good cleaning. That is why I had them laid out so nicely and I couldn't resist a little snapshot:)

Saturday: after a rough ride to said jeweler, Hannah and I attended lunch with five other girls at The Boathouse. They've made it a monthly event because even though they all live in St. Louis I suppose it's still difficult to make time for 'girl time'. This month's meal just so happened to fall over my visit and it was so much fun to see the girls. Unfortunately my camera was hiding under my bag in our guest bedroom and didn't make it for the lunch. I know, I'm embarrassed of myself, too.

Nate drove to Columbia to golf with my dad....ALL.DAY.LONG. We are talking 27 holes, people. I guess they had some male bonding time and endured some pretty yucky weather in the name of swinging their clubs. Mom sent my birthday gift along with Dad and look at how pretty it was! A book, a journal, and a ticket to Kansas to see Keri! I love my Mom and birthdays. A lot.

That night the whole crew [boys included this time] went to dinner and out for drinks. 'The Fab Five' was reunited and such events call for a picture. Yes, my camera was uncovered in time for our night out.


Lindsey is going to kill me for this picture but it's too funny to ignore. She had the hiccups and I told her my secret remedy: you have to paralyze your phrenic nerve to stop your spasming diaphragm [I know, I'm a medical dork.] So here is her version of the technique:Only problem? This picture makes her look like she's missing teeth! Look closely and you'll see what I mean. We laughed for a good 10 minutes over this shot.

Meanwhile, Nate found $5 on the ground of the bar. So he popped it into this scratch off ticket machine. You'll never guess what happened next...

He won $150!!! From a free $5 bill! Of course I immediately yelled, "Put those puppies in your pocket, dear. Let's not spend it right away." Classic, right?

Sunday: I went to brunch at the yummy Square One Brewery with some internet gals. I've never met any of them so it was fun to visit in real life. It was a blast and I hope we do it again.
After the brunch I decided to go for a run in the beautiful weather, followed by a long walk with Hannah and the dogs. No big deal, right? It's not like it was tropical or anything but look at the results:
Sweet sports bra and tank top sunburn! And look at what Nate brought home:
The most fabulous golfers tan ever! This just proves a sad but true fact: we are officially northerners now. Our skin is so pasty white it's disgusting and this Wisconsin weather turned us into delicate flowers. As Nate put it, "I'm white as snow" and apparently we melt in warm weather now.

This has me slightly worried for San Diego but I guess we'll live. I swear I used to have a permanent tan! What happened?!

Sunday night Hannah and Michael bar-b-qued some amazing burgers for us. It was so nice we even got to sit out on their rooftop deck and bask in the glory of a Spring evening. Sigh.

Monday morning we went to breakfast with Ryan at Soulard Coffee Garden and again, we ate outside in the sunshine. Nate and Ryan are long lost buddies and it was great to catch up with him, too. Four cups of coffee later we decided to hit the road.

Goodbye, glorious Arch!
Henry was completely pooped, as you can see. This is his standard position for car rides:
Panting is required as well:

Long drive home with boring scenery, indeed. But I do appreciate the "Mercedes Sign" windmills along the way. Gotta love Illinois!

So that is it, our fabulous weekend in pictures. Much needed and thoroughly enjoyed. And now back to the real world up north [with welcoming warm weather included!] Plus, I have my first album design project for a real client. I'm so excited!

22 comments:

  1. Yay for the St. Louis visit!!!! Glad I got to meet you and brunch! Next STL visit maybe you could cram in coming over to my house for dinner with few other bloggers. :)

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  2. Ouch. That looks like it really hurts! I'm glad you enjoyed your weekend though! I loved getting to meet you and thanks for setting it all up!

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  3. SOunds like you had a great trip. You could not have picked a better weekend to be in STL. It was so nice here!!!

    Your sunburn...OUCH!

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  4. So glad I got to meet you...finally! I can't wait till the next bruch.

    And holy crap on the sunburn! I'm pale as can be and was in the yard all afternoon, but no sunburn for me. You really are a Northerner now!

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  5. I can't believe you got that burn either!!! Crazy...I was outside all day on Sunday too but no tan/burn here!

    Anyways, it was so great to finally meet you in real life. We should definitely do it again! And I love love love your album!

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  6. Looks like you had a great trip! Ouch on the sunburn...I was outside for a good while on Sunday too but no sunburn and I'm a fair skinned redhead!

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  7. Seriously? No one else got burnt? I knew there was something wrong with me!

    It was only on my shoulders though. Possibly something to do with the direct angle of the sun? So pathetic.

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  8. I usually scan through pictures on blogs before reading the text. This time, that caused me to think that the sunburnt arm was yours, since it came right after the pics of your shoulders. I'm ashamed to admit that the thought that came to mind was "Julia's arms are kind of hairy." Then I read the text and realized that it's actually Nate's arm. :)

    Anyway, I'm sorry that I missed the blogger brunch!

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  9. Glad it was a good trip! It was great to see you at brunch...I had a wonderful time! We'll definitely have to get together again when you are in town.

    You are not alone on the sunburn...my husband went to the Cardinals game on Sunday afternoon and WOW...his arms are super red, like Nate's, maybe worse! Plus, he was in one of those special areas with free food so he has a lovely wristband line. I should share a picture, haha!

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  10. Glad you made it home safely. Sampson is pooped too! It was so great to have you for the weekend. I can't wait for you guys to come back... maybe this summer so we can make use of the pool?

    Also, can you send me those flower pictures? I especially love the one of the tree in front of our house, you are such a photographer.

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  11. st louis is sooo gorgeous! darin and i are thinking of going there this summer! you will have to let me know all of the good places to go!

    that sunburn is crazy girl! get some awesome sunblock! summer just started!

    glad you enjoyed your weekend doll!

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  12. Glad that St. Louis weater cooperated for your visit. Your sunburn is much worse than mine. I feel bad for complaining now!

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  13. Ok I love all your pictures--especially the ones of the flowers and trees--the tulips are just so beautiful but DAMN girl, that sunburn is horrendous!!!!!! I thought I burned easily! That is just painful to look at!!!

    On another note, it was so great to meet you on sunday! I had a blast and hopefully we can do it again the next time you come into town!

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  14. Looks like such a fabulous weekend!!

    1. Those spring photos made me incredibly jealous indeed, so thanks.

    2. The rings on the right side of the picture look just like my set.

    3. $150!!! That's awesome!!!!

    4. That sunburn looks painful. But again, jealous you got any sun at all.

    Welcome back!

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  15. Just call me "toothless" lobo!!

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  16. Ohhh, that sunburn looks painful!! I'm glad you had a fabulous time in Stl. It really was a beautiful weekend here. Hopefully the weather will warm up soon for you guys. I would love to meet you next time your in town.

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  17. What an amazing weekend you had! It looks like it was the perfect mixture of relaxation and "on the go" activities.

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  18. It's so cool you had a chance to meet up with some internet gals! That sounds like fun! It's sad that I'm pretty sure I know where those Mercedes windmills are...

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  19. Hey! Wait! YOU KNOW ME?! YOU'VE MET ME?!!
    Anyway...

    It was great to see you again, I am glad you had a great time, though that burn...holy stromboli.

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  20. I had a wonderful time at brunch! It was great to meet you.

    The sunburn doesn't look that bad...where have I heard that one before! :)

    Also, if you could email me(brobeen13@gmail.com) I have a few questions regarding the album. Like how you were able to put in background photos, etc.

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  21. What gorgeous tulips! Awesome pics!

    I love the way Nate's tongue is hanging out of his mouth with his new wad of cash... like he's panting from excitment. Cute!

    Love the pic of Henry in the backseat with his little head buried like it's too scary too look. He must be a good rider to go all that distance in the car.

    Don't forget... you've got some old pals in Jeff City too :)

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  22. Okay, I solved the mystery of the sunburn. It's my old age. That has to be it because I NEVER burn like this. I tell Nate that I never burn at all, and I brag about my easily tanned skin. But we all know that is a lie.

    I'm dying at Kate's mistake over Nate's arm.

    And I'll never forget my mid-MO roots, Erin:)

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