Life With The Wilson's: St. Charles, The Zoo and other happenings

Last weekend we headed back to St. Charles with a couple of our friends and their little boy (age 2) to celebrate the 4th of July. We wanted to show them what "real" fireworks were like as St. Charles does give a pretty good display. All of us had the Friday (the 4th) off so we ventured home on Thursday night. We didn't get in too late but late enough that there was only time for a little visiting before we all headed to bed.

Friday morning we were up early (thanks to Kaitlyn) and prepared ourselves for the day. I have to be honest, I don't quite remember what we did in the morning. However, I do remember Kaitlyn took a 3 hour nap that morning followed by another 3 hours nap that afternoon. That put us at a friend's BBQ around 5 pm. We enjoyed a nice spread of food and some games. Around 8 pm we headed to the water front to walk around before the fireworks. It was completely packed. The flood waters created less room for spectators for land was at a premium. We found a nice spot though slightly behind a tree and by the time we settled in, found family members, it was time to start the fireworks show. Kaitlyn was so incredily tired since it was 1.5 hours past her bed time. She laid on my stomach and just watched with wide eyes as the explosions went off. Immediately after they stopped, she was out.

Saturday we woke early yet again (thanks Kait!). It was all right since we had a big day at the Zoo planned. We made it to the entrance around 9 am and started off. About 10 minutes into it, Jim's cousin (her husband and little boy) called to let us know they made it to the Zoo as well. It was nice to catch up with them. Funny this is, they live close to use when we are in Champaign but we see them more in St. Louis. Anyways, the Zoo was a big hit. Kait made it nearly the entire day there before she passed out at the Penguin house. The weather was perfect and our friend's little boy couldn't get over the monkies and turtle (or in his words "turles" ) on our way back to St. Charles, we stopped by the St. Louis Mills for some window shopping before we headed home for the evening. It was a nice night of card playing.

Sunday we woke and headed to my parents house to see them for a bit then back to the Wilson's side for a nice lunch before we headed back to Champaign....completely exhausted.

This past week was trying to catch up with life. Jim has been working full time and sneeking in some studying for his national certification test coming up in the early fall. Kaitlyn loves to say "purple" and play with her purple fruit loops. She can also say "blue" and has kinda said "green" once. She STILL isnt'walking but took a nice step at the Mexican restaurant that we frequent. They love her there! She puts on a nice show and they give her a free ring pop as we leave.

I have a good story about her daycare...but this post is getting long enough...so on to the pictures

Kaitlyn meeting up with her cousin at the zoo