After much nailbiting, tummyaching and worrisome discussions, we decided to let Madison fly to Boston ALONE!!! She really is growing up but that doesn't keep up from worrying. She made the decision herself to wait to get a car until next summer (mature decision, we think) since she won't get license until March/April 2009. So she wanted a plane ticket for her birthday and Misty gave her tickets to a Harvard game (to see the band) and the offer of a guided whirlwind tour of Boston and Harvard's campus. Check out some of the great photos from her visit on Misty's blog or on Madison's Facebook page.
Here we are delivering her to the airport, where we watched all the way through security by peering through a store window---much to her embarrassment!
Shortly afterward, the rest of us headed out to St. Louis---a real road trip---no reservations and the only plan---to visit the zoo!
We packed a ton of stuff into three days and were able to stay downtown within walking distance of the arch!!! Obama was there the same weekend which made maneuvering downtown on Saturday morning a bit of a challenge but nonetheless, we had a great time....as you can see.
At, and up inside, the Arch. Truly much more amazing than I imagined.
At the zoo....I will spare you all 200 photos! It's a great zoo. Takes all day. Thousands of creatures great and small.
And at the Science Museum and Forest Park.
And of course, October and November end our band contest season...and this year, it ended greatly. Madison won 2nd place drum major at a major contest at Vanderbilt University and then 1st place on November 1 at Marshall University (West Virginia).
As I close, I'll share some favorite snapshots without any real explanation. Just pictures of joy and fun. I wish all of you were here with us to enjoy. God bless you with health, happiness and joy of life this season.
Kim
