Gramma and Grandpa Archer's house

Our first part of our trip to Missouri was in Saint Joseph where Scott's parents live. Luckily Great Grandpa Harry live close by and Scott's sisters drove in from Nebraska and Springfield, MO to see us.

One night we drove through Krug Park to see the lights. They put on a great light display and the best part for Scott is that you get a Cherry Mash candy at the end. Another day we took a field trip to Squaw Creek. It was so beautiful.

It just so happened that the weekend we were there was Eagle Days. You drive through this huge park and just glance through the trees and you can find Bald Eagles in their normal habitat. Check out this tree. Do you see two of them?

Here is a closer look. We must have seen over 20 bald eagles. It was so amazing.

Check out all of the birds!

And cranes.

And deer running through the fields. How amazing. You don't see this stuff everyday in California!

And of-course when nature calls...

The boys had a lot of fun playing pool and foosball.

Or Harry's favorite game-having McDuff run through his tunnel.

Giving hugs. Or smothering you with them.

Will's favorite game was on Grandpa's phone-Talking Tom Cat. This app would make him laugh hysterically.

Harry and William with Grandpa and Great Grandpa.

Great Grandpa Harry had a great surprise waiting for the boys. He had his old pedal tractor restored. The boys fought over it.

And the best picture...Four generations of Archers.

To confuse a toddler

Imagine taking your two and three year old back to Missouri. Along the trip, you pass by different houses and tell your children, "hey there is where (insert mommy or daddy or both mommy and daddy) used to live." After about 10 houses, what do you think they were thinking?

This was Scott's old house before he went to High School. The house on Emerald Lane. Ahh our Alma Mater, William Jewell College. Cardinal is her color, Jewell is her name. High upon a hill she stands, And we will fight to keep her fame. Loyalty, Allegiance, Alma Mater true, We will love thee, Serve thee forever, William Jewell.

Eaton Hall- The dorm Scott lived in his first year.

Ely Hall-the dorm I lived in my first year.

Browning Hall- the dorm I lived in my second and third year of college. It was the only co-ed dorm on campus. Of-course I jumped at the opportunity to live in the dorm with three floors of guys and only one floor of girls :) ha.

My room--the last room on the top floor all the way to the right (the one with the Christmas tree in the window)--making me proud :)

The old Kappa Alpha house- the house Scott lived in his second and third year of college. This is now the Pryor Leadership Development house. That was both mine and Scott's minor in college-famous for our Outward Bound trip to the Everglades.

The new KA house-Scott never lived there. They built them our senior year when you didn't have to live on campus anymore.

Ahh, Water Street. The place I live my senior year with April, Kara, Julie and Shanna. Yeah, it looked so much better ten years ago. Not that it was great then but way better than this!

There were a few other houses we went by. Scott lived in several houses during the summers of college. We passed a few. And then the house he lived in his senior year on Booth. But I forgot to get my camera out then.

The most nostalgic house was OUR house on Furlong in Raymore, MO. This was our first house together. We bought it two months before we got married but I stayed in my apartment until the big day. And we didn't sleep in our master bedroom until the night after we got married :)

I'm a little sad that it doesn't look as nice as it did 7 years ago. I guess the new owners don't care as much :(

It could use a new paint job. Ahh the memories.

Good Ole Friends

A very nice part about going back to Missouri was reconnecting with old friends. It is so nice to see very good friends you haven't seen in a long time and still have those same friendships. These are the friendships that will last forever and that I am grateful for. Or as the boys see it, a house full of toys they haven't seen before :)
First we stopped by Shanna's house. Shanna was a great college friend and roommate. Unfortunately Troy wasn't home but we did get to spend time with her and her boys. Harry on the scooter. Shanna playing soccer with Will, Ethan and Evan.

Shanna and I.

The Wideners....plus Harry.

The boys (Evan, William, Harrison and Ethan). I love how Harry is smiling at Ethan. The boys had a great time together. They idolized the older boys. We also realized what it would be like to have four boys. There was a war and bullets flying everywhere. Evan was a great Lieutenant yelling "fall back men." They had such fun.

Next we headed over to the Whiteley's house to meet up with some more friends. I didn't realize this till later but it is ironic that all four men of the families there were the groom and groomsmen in our wedding. It just goes to show Scott did a good job of picking his groomsmen :)

Brosie (minus the family), Scott, Bryan and Dusty.

The band (William and Brady). They got a long really well. In fact, we didn't see them much as they were entertaining themselves upstairs most the night. They have a lot in common as they both love tractors and helping their dads.

This was what Harry did at just about every one's house we visited.

The Sonners (minus Tiffany who was at work).

Taylor (This was our flower girl in our wedding-boy how time flies).

Kayla

Parker (this kid will give you baby fever)

The Whiteleys- perfect example of how hard it is to take a picture with two toddlers.

Brady

Cooper- these goggles were a big hit that night :)

After our time in Saint Joseph and Kansas City, we headed down to West Plains to see my family. On our way down, we stopped by the Middleton's house for a visit. Martha is a great friend I met my first day of High School. We have been great friends ever since.

Braden and Will made friends really fast. Braden and Hannah.

Martha and me.

It was so fun to see some of our old friends. There wasn't enough time to see everyone. I wish we could have seen everyone but hopefully we will make a trip back this coming summer.

Cookie decorating at Gramma's house

Every year we bake Christmas cookies. It just usually isn't in Missouri :) It was nice. The boys had a lot of decorations for their cookies. In fact, I think there were more sprinkles and M&Ms than the cookie itself.

Harry showcasing a few extra sprinkles on his face. He was saving them for later.

Kelly and I get a little competitive on the decorating. :)

It's all about the detail :)

Fun traditions.

The difference between Missouri and California

We FINALLY just recently made a trip back to Missouri. Home Sweet Home. Since I have over 700 pictures (I'm a camera junky) to sort through, it's going to take me a while to post on all of it. But to start, I came up with this idea for pictures as we were on a field trip with my parents one day.

The boys walking with Nana and Pawpa Payne (in Missouri) The boys walking with Gramma and Grandpa Archer (in California)

Scott and I walking on a trail (Missouri)

Scott and I walking on a boardwalk (in California)