under the magnolia tree

 Just after George's 2nd Birthday, we headed down to St. Louis for a visit.  It was such a shot in the arm to see things in bloom and feel warmer temperatures.  It was nearly 90 degrees by the time we arrived!  First piece of business was to visit the firehouse where Uncle Rob works.   George was timid at first,

 Magnolia not at all!

 I found the whole experience fascinating, loved seeing everything in the truck and ambulance and loved seeing all of the fire hats, coats, and boots lined up.

 I love this shot.  Finally George warmed up and loved sitting up in the big truck.

 And here's little Miss Madeline,  daughter of the firefighter and cousin to Magnolia and George.

 Uncle Rob shows us how he slides down the fire pole.

 It was such a beautiful day that we headed to a park afterwards.

 This was George's favorite part.  Even now when he sees this picture he yells "wet!"  He remembers how wet he got in this fountain.

 Back at Nani's Magnolia had the treat of having no quiet time during naptime but "daddy time."  They would walk to the coffee shop at the end of the street so she could pick out a root beer with a straw.  (I got to go shopping!)

 The next day we went to Papaw's Birthday Party at a park.

 George's Aunt Ann and Uncle Tim drove in from Tennessee to surprise him!  

 It was so much fun to see everyone!  Happy Birthday Papaw!

Fried chicken, birthday cake, and lots of playing in the sand...

 It was a great party!

 It also happened to be Bobby's Birthday (Magnolia and George's great grandmother).  We brought homemade pizzas and Nani's famous caramel cake to her to celebrate.  Magnolia loved the caramel cake but really loved Bobby's cat named Sugar.

 After some rain, the temperatures dropped and our final two days in St. Louis were absolutely perfect.  So far from the spring we are having here.  The kids hardly wanted to come inside.  I couldn't blame them.  George walks down Nani's street holding his "baby."

 I love this of Magnolia holding the dandelion.

 The blooming dogwood was beautiful!

 In an attempt to try new things on our visit, we went to the new City Park downtown.

 It was spectacular.  Can you find Magnolia?

 These bunnies were the favorite.

It was a great trip and we were all sad to leave such a gorgeous spring.  The night before we were to come home, we told Magnolia that we would be leaving the next day. She became very sad and finally said:  "I don't want to go home, it's SO cold there!" and burst into tears.  

Happy Easter!  Hope it's warm and sunny where you are!