Traveling to the,"Show-me-state" of Missouri

Our little baby Koala. Quinn measured to be the length of a python, scary. 

Sam's feelings on the, "show me state," was to show him some zoo animals, trains, planes, antique fire trucks, and his Aunt Ashley and Uncle Jonathon! We had a wonderful long weekend in St. Louis visiting Ashley, Jonathan and Sam's honorary St. Louis grandparents Suzie and John. It was such an easy and relaxing trip, in that they borrowed all the necessary baby gear for our arrival, (we had to haul nothing!) we had leisurely mornings visiting and drinking coffee and watching Ashley and Jonathan goof around with Sam.

 We were able to go to the fabulous St. Louis Zoo, but were really only able to scratch the surface given limited time between naps. We all enjoyed the beautiful weather and being outside after St. Louis has endured a long and cold winter, Texas not so much of a cold winter. Sam enjoyed seeing the animals, but his favorite was the mini train ride around the zoo. We had to wait in line and every time the the train would come around, he was so excited, but then when it left and we were still in line, he would sob the saddest cries about being left behind...heart breaking. 

The next day was his favorite activity, which was the Museum of Transportation with antique cars, trains, planes, and again, a mini train around the grounds. Sam was the most excited that we have ever seen him. As we walked in the museum, he sees the fire engines and leaps out of Quinn's arms, runs to the engines and starts running in circles and making a crying-grunting noise, that we have never heard before. He was so excited, that he wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry, so he kind of did both simultaneously. This excitement lasted for the 2 hour duration we were there. He pretty much hit a wall of exhaustion, and it was time for a nap by then. 

We were so glad to see our dear friends, and only wish we were able to see each other more often. It's always so nice to be able to pick up with good friends were you left off, as if no time has passed at all. St. Louis is a great city with so much to see and do, we look forward to a return visit!

I'm not sure what these animals are supposed to be. Maybe ground hogs? Quinn and I look a bit strained as we each have an arm out trying to hold Sam up.

Sam needed a little Daddy support as these goats were a bit frisky and he was a little leery.

If you look close, you can see Sam is patting Ashley on the head.
She's trying to smile nicely and then all the sudden there are little fingers in her hair!

There was an entire warehouse of trains for us to explore. This reminds me of the Hogwarts train in Harry Potter.

Checking out an old tow boat

Sweet couple.
The plane in the background carried Paratroopers on D-day to Normandy.
 And also President Truman. 

Sam's looking a little blurry as he just woke up from a nap and we were running out the door to the airport. Had to stop for a little loving from Auntie Ashley first though. 

Molly the big black lab and Sam had a great time. We didn't really need to wash
Sam's face after eating the entire time we were there because Molly was quick to the task.Such a helpful pup!

Sam wasn't able to say, Uncle Jonathan, but he can say Uncle J. Here's the duo in their matching costumes.