4-24-18  STL - Buford:

The 6 nights in St. Louis really went quickly.  We thought about stopping in Knoxville for another night or two, but Ken was anxious to get another trailer load of stuff to Perry (and our other car), so we just headed straight back to Buford.

Of course we didn't even get out of north county before getting stopped for an accident.

It merged down to 1 lane.  We got there as they were putting this poor guy on a back board.  Hope he's OK.

4-23-18 chilling at the house

Today was a day of just chilling around the house---at least for us.  Angie, Josh and Layla did some more visiting.  But we hung out with the pups.  They probably thought the trip really sucked since they had to sit in a car for 11 hours then we all kept leaving them alone.  At least they've been here a few times before, so I think they weren't scared of their surroundings.

Micky getting some attention.  For being the baby for the last 4 years, he's taken to the new roll of middle kid quite well.

I use to worry about Molly with as aggressive as she was, but she's turned into quite the protector of little Layla.

Tried to meet up with a couple friends for dinner, but they were busy when we weren't.  So just had lunch with Becky.   Rest of the times we ate by ourselves or with the kids---or at the parties. 

4-22-18 Impromptu LaBeaume meet Layla party:

Had to put Layla in one of her new-used Cardinal onesies. 

Ken had made a call to Bill to see if we could get together with some of them at Stef's today so they could meet Layla, but he said it was too busy.  So he invited us to come to their house and invited everyone over there.  Such a nice impromptu get together, but they were all anxious to meet Layla, too.

4-21-18  Hicks's 50th Anniversary party:

The Farmers' Almanac was wrong!  Carol was upset a couple months ago because the almanac said it was going to rain today.  But there was a pretty good sized indoor space, so that shouldn't have been a worry. Angie, Josh, Layla, Ben, Sandy, Ken and I arrived early to set up the seating and decorate.  I thought Angie did a great job---simple, but pretty.  And who doesn't like almond kisses?!

Carol seemed to be happy.  Although they fought Layla for attention.  The family was excited to get to meet the newest Hicks, too.

4-20-18  more party shopping with Angie and Layla, sunset near Alton:

Another day of party shopping.  This time Angie, Layla and I went together.  We even found a really big, really nice Once Upon a Child in St. Charles.  Had to stop and stock up on Cardinal onesies for Layla---plus a bunch of other things for her.

That night the kids went off to have dinner with friends.  So Ken and I headed to Alton to our favorite fried chicken restaurant---Castelli's Moonlight Restaurant.
On the way back, we hung out by the river to watch the sunset.

It wasn't spectacular, but it was still pretty.

4-19-18  Seamus McDaniels and shop for the party:

Now it was time to head off and get all the stuff for the party.  Angie went one way, I went another.  Then we met up with them at Seamus McDaniels for dinner. 

Gotta admit---there are a lot of great restaurants around St. Louis.  And they're easy to get to compared to Atlanta!

4-18-18  Knoxville - St. Louis:

Time to continue on to St. Louis. At least the weather was a lot better then last time we drove through this area!  Last time it was snowing really hard.

Didn't have to get too far West and into the East Tennessee mountains to see the green in the trees disappearing.

4-17-18 on to Knoxville, by way of Amicalola Falls,

Now for the next big hurdle in this short amount of time----a trip back to St. Louis for Josh's parents 50th wedding anniversary party that Angie and Josh threw for them.  We made the trip another little vacation.  Starting with a trip Amicalola Falls and a night in Knoxville with Tim and Faith.

Gonna miss the quick and easy rides up into the North Georgia mountains.