The grand finale of our trip happened in the belly of the Missouri Botanical Gardens at their Chinese Lantern Festival. Stephanie and Lottie joined us as we discovered the garden in the night. Colored lanterns and a garden full of excited fireflies. Pretty spectacular St. Louis.
They need a series of these shots, these two, called "Ever on Daddy's Shoulders":
(they're off to a great collection):
OH GOOD PANDAS FOR EVER:
(She makes us show her the picture above once a day, "OH! SISSY AND PANDAS!" she says when her eyes behold the glory of a grove of glowing panda bears. For a lover so thrilled at her view, you'd think she'd have a little dazzle in her face instead of looking like a child being strictly reprimanded.)
When the ceramic animated dragons opened their mouths and spewed puffs of swirling smoke we declared we had seen it all and headed home.
The best part of our trip of course was being with our beloved Umi and Grandpa and each other:
Umi with #40 and #41
I believe my dad is the only LDS Mission President in the whole church who took his dog (Nan) with him on his mission. Brothers and Sisters, I give you my dad.
And Missouri? Man you're gorgeous:
Did you know that as Mormons we believe that the Garden of Eden was in the same area as the state of Missouri?
"Latter-day Saints know, through modern revelation, that the Garden of Eden was on the North American continent and that Adam and Eve began their conquest of the earth in the upper part of what is now the state of Missouri. It seems very probable that the children of our first earthly parents moved down along the fertile, pleasant lands of the Mississippi valley." (John A. Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations, three volumes in one, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft 1960, p. 127)
Did you also know it was legal to shoot a Mormon in Missouri until 1976?
No hard feelings Mo.
I feel moved to give my travel partner of eternity a nod, thanks Chup for your selflessness:
Lastly, Anson and I put together a tune--believe me it's no GANGSTA SIGNS--a tune dedicated to St. Louis, or St. Woois whatever you prefer.
Anson's gangsta diction does my heart good. He needs a proper stage name:
This now ends the travelogue. Thank you for following along. Take yourself out to lunch now.
*all pics from Chup's Instagram account: Christ8pher
25 comments:
Your parents are so blessed to have so many beautiful grandchildren. Such cute pictures. I like your little song. I have to get used to your little guy's name.....so used to hm being called by his nickname. Such cute kids.....and they sure look alike.
Your sarcasm was perfectly placed and perfectly appropriate. Your kids will appreciate it....someday. So no worries there. I'm sorry I have to one up you on the dog on a mission thing. We just went to visit my mom's cousin who is the mission president in London and they brought their dog with them, all the way to ENGLAND. Man, they must love that dog because I think they had to pay hundreds of dollars to fly her there and back again. Call me heartless but I've never loved a dog that much.
We lived in St. Louis for four years and moved back to CA two weeks ago. All of your pictures brought tears to my eyes as those are all places I have taken my own children. Thanks!!
I'm so glad you were able to have children because you and Chup make some pretty darn cute ones!
That picture of your mom with Erin and Lottie (#40 and #41!!!????!!! Holy Cow!!!!!) is just adorable! Your mom looks like a happy person - somebody you'd love to hang out with. I love these everyday posts.
So cute! And I'm glad you made it to the garden. I was hoping, as I read your travelogue, that you hadn't skipped it.
I have many pictures of my kiddo on those sheep -- we have a rhythm to our trips to the garden, and the sheep are definitely part of the show, along with the ducks and the fish and the bridges. Glad you enjoyed StL!
Ever...on my shoulders...makes me happy...
Ah, thanks. I am ALWAYS looking for a reason to go for lunch. Celebrate end of reading this travel logue, bright lights, MO, and end of exterminating Mormons; even though I don't believe what LDS'ers believe, that just really really rude.
What kind of stroller is that? And where can I buy it? :)
Also, we are currently stationed in Missouri and YES, it is absolutely gorgeous.
Your St "Wooo-iss!" rap is AWESOME! I've never been and now I want to go :)
i love that rap like no othah.
holler atcha, and just know that i now sing your hit single "i'm flashing gangsta signs and i dont know what they mean" on a daily basis.
Your mom is so beautiful! I love her hair style!
I was thinking he had a great stage name aka the chief but maybe its not very gangsta to have a stage name that was made up by your mummy!
I really liked the St. Woois rap, too. Very rad :)
Hello!
How about "Angel Anson" - "Ansizzle" - "Swingin Rhina Banga" Had fun playing a Gangsta name game. But I do like "Angel Anson". :<) Love the photos! Wishing you a great weekend!
Hugs,
Barbara Diane
Great gangsta rappin'! What a great memento of the trip for Anson and his parents in the future.
Your Ever resembles your Mom a lot. I think your Mom is way cute.
That rap is AWESOME.
Best rap eva! Anson already has an awesome state name; The Chief!
That would be "stage name", not state name!
Love the shot with your mom and the grandbabies. Actually, I love all the shots. Thanks for taking us on your trip with you. I really enjoyed it from my couch in Alabama.
Very. cute. babies.
You so look like your mom.
Chup's a doll.
You funny.
I'm done now.
She is so adorable! Thanks for the post.
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I think it's fantastic your dad has his dog with him. I'm sure Nan provides him and many a stressed out missionary with the love only a good dog can give.
"Did you also know it was legal to shoot a Mormon in Missouri until 1976?" It most certainly was not. Assuming that Gov Boggs' order was legal, it applied only to a specific military campaign under General Clark (no relation, right?). Would you say it is still legal to burn Atlanta based on orders given to General Sherman, or to bomb Berlin based orders from General Eisenhower, unless some later President formally rescinded those instructions? Such orders are valid only for a specific force at a specific time in a specific place.
There's a park that my boy and my dog and I like to go to in North KC and from there you can juuuust see the new temple in Independence way way off in the distance. Pretty grand.
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