Our Girls

We had a free Saturday and we were planning to head to St. Louis for a fun kid activity and then see the new IKEA store, which Jessica has spent considerable time dreaming about.  However, one or two of the Bach daughters had an attack of attitude and so we didn't really feel like rewarding them with something super fun. Instead, we decided to skip the kid activity and just drag them with us to Ikea. And let me just say: it was worth it.  The store has like a glorified coat check for children. So we checked our coats...kids... and loaded up on Swedish home goods.  Sometimes when you're a parent it's important to take time for yourselves. And if you happen to pick up a countertop for your laundry room in the process - so much the better.

During our recent swing through St. Louis we got to meet up with our favorite St. Louisan... And his parents.  We aged ten years while waiting to eat at Fitz's, but the company was worth it. Thanks for hanging out with us Chad and Sarah!  The Godfather and Godson. "Never go against the family, kid" 

Merry Mardi Gras from Molly! She celebrated with all her Miss Pat friends by wearing party hats and eating king cake. 

Katie has become a huge fan of cooking shows. If she does not like what's for dinner she may look at the cook and announce "you've been chopped".  Another favorite of hers is Cupcake Wars. A chef from St. Louis was on the show and won. She has been itching to go to the chef's bakery, Jilly's, ever since. We made the trip last Saturday, but since it was a little late we missed cupcakes. But we still made it to Jilly's ice cream shop for cupcake-inspired homemade ice cream. It was almost better than the baked variety. 

Same name, unique personalities, great friends 

With Andrew's parents about to go out of the country we decided to zip up to Quincy for a quick visit. After lunch (at Kelly's naturally) with Grammy and Gramps we headed over to visit Grandma Betty for the inaugural Sunset Bowl Party - which would be a Super Bowl party at Sunset for those of you not following the wordplay there.  Pre- game we had plenty of time for Valentine crafts and Molly and Grandma Betty got in some quality puzzle time.  Uncle Jeff, Aunt Karen and Silas arrived, we ordered some Gem City pizza and we were set to cheer for Peyton!  Andrew immersed in the game while Molly and Grandma show off their puzzle. Peyton was victorious and we had a great time visiting family. The Sunset Bowl was a success!

Some of you have noted that we did not publish on a Tuesday, but I ask you this 'Have you considered that on the (dwarf) planet of Pluto Tuesday won't arrive for another 5.4 days?' So really Tuesday is a matter of perspective.

We celebrated Christmas with the Kinneys in January this year. One perk of the delayed holiday was that it happened to be 50 degrees. We took a break from the presents and snacks to hit the trails at Rock Bridge State Park ( judging by the parking lot hundreds of others had the same idea).  Here's the whole family taking a breather. The best part? Our uncle, aunt and cousin got to come along. Here's all the kids throwing things in the creek under some 'careful' supervision.  Cousins on the trail. Molly and her closest cousin - they're two months apart and great buds. Hanging out.

Katie is constantly going. The only time she stops running everywhere is when she's cartwheeling everywhere or dancing everywhere or skipping or... You get the idea. But she also LOVES to read and particularly loves to read Bible stories. Occasionally, she will break into an act based on the bible story she read recently. For instance, we recently read about Pharisees plotting against Jesus. So one night she spontaneously acted out the parts. This is her as the faithful friends who lowered their friend through the roof for Jesus to heal. And then she changed her face in a flash to the 'evil scheming Pharisees'   Which is all to say: You never quite know what Katie will come up with next.