be happy for this moment.

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring,
close-knit family in another city.
George Burns

After the Mizzou v. Huskers game on Thursday night we all headed back to St. Louis where Nick's parents and brother, Matt, were staying for the weekend. We were all joined by more of Nick's family on Friday to celebrate his grandma's 80th birthday. It was a nice little vacation for everyone to see the fun stuff in St. Louis and enjoy being together.

On Saturday we took Nick's parents and brother to the Soulard Famers Market which I knew they would love (they did!). Then right next to the market in the streets of Soulard was their annual Oktoberfest. They had great polka bands, homemade potato pancakes (my favorite!) and I especially loved all of the old men in their authentic lederhosen.

At the farmers market

Oktoberfest!

Nick's dad with the "hosts" (they were not members of the Legion running registration!)

He was funny

Dancing to the polka band

That evening we had the whole family (Nick's aunt and uncle, two cousin, one cousin's husband and two kids along with grandma, Nick's parents and brother - phew!) over for dinner. We had a big lasagna dinner, watched a football game and chatted.

Our gift to grandma was a big scrapbook with 80 reasons why we love her. Each "group" (me and Nick, the two grandsons, etc.) listed 10 reasons. She really loved it and it was fun for me to hear all of the memories and see the hold photos.

With the grandkids - Nick's cousins Ann and Beth on the left, Nick and Matt on the right (I love grandma's little crown!)

With grandma's two children - Nick's dad and Aunt Mary on the right
and Nick's mom on the left

With the grandsons - Tyson and Cameron. You can see their mom's hand trying to get Cameron's attention to smile (along with clapping, whistling and hollering!)

Football. More football.

Looking through the scrapbook

Cameron loved Bella. He wouldn't go after her, just sit next to her and say "kitty." She was so confused, "what is this small thing toddling after me around the house?!"

Considering we had a weekend full of football we might as well keep it going! Nick's Uncle Tom is a huge Minnesota Vikings fan and because they were playing the (completely terrible) St. Louis Rams we had to go!

Outside the Edward Jones Dome

Tailgating before the game (Nick with Beth and Uncle Tom)

Nick is an expert scalped ticket buyer. We got a deal on seven tickets!

View from our seats (the air is thinner up there!)

This guy had field posts stuck on his bald head with a suction cup. Funny!

So it was a busy and fun weekend with everyone. I will admit I was exhausted by Sunday night and happy to have my normal schedule back. Glad we could host everyone in our city!