Turning 30 and Lots of SNOW

It has been a relatively crazy winter here in St. Louis. Usually we might get one or two measurable snowfalls (which is enough for me), but this year we've had four, and the fifth and biggest is brewing as we speak. Last Thursday was my 30th birthday - and we had the biggest snow yet. Everyone was predicting 6-12 inches for the area, and we ended up with right around 6 inches at our house in the city (I know mom and Jackie farther east both had more like 9 inches or so). Anyway, a lot of snow. I had a little bit of work I had to do that day as long as I could get to work, so I went in late, got it done, and headed home. I ended up meeting up with Jackie for an awesome lunch at 1111. Then as I was driving back to my house, I thought, 'hmmmm maybe I should go check out the gardens in the snow.' So that's what I did - I went to the botanical gardens and walked around taking a million pictures. This snow was especially dry and fluffy, so it stayed on the tree limbs and looked beautiful. Anyway, a few highlights from the snowy gardens.....
This is my favorite tree.
Japanese garden, teahouse bridge
the snow was especially beautiful on the crazy evergreens
zig-zag bridge
I'm very glad I went to the gardens - now I have a particularly memorable way to always remember my 30th birthday! That night, Kevin made me filets for dinner. Then the next day I was treated to Blueberry Hill for lunch by some co-workers, and then Lauren took me out to scape Bistro for dinner - amazing! Finally, Sunday my mom made my birthday dinner - fried chicken and red cake. Mmmmmm. Jessica, Jackie and I also got some sledding in at mom's that day - http://thepleasantfarm.wordpress.com.

The highlight of the weekend was my birthday party at 33 wine bar, which was orchestrated by my friend Jenny. She made me a very entertaining cake (and some delicious raspberry cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting!!)


A fair share of my near-by friends and family came out to celebrate, so I tried to take a few pictures.
Jackie and Allen....

me and Jackie

Jenny with a kind of creepy Brice in the background

we are doomed to never take a decent picture. I'm not photogenic by any means, but this guy really doesn't help.

Ang and Matt

Mike, Erin, and Lauren

me with Erin and Lauren

All in all, it was a pretty fabulous birthday.
And since it's been over, reality has set in. Starting last week, I am teaching 4 classes....a Master's level plant class for U College, an intro microbiology lab and lecture at Maryville University, and an undergrad seminar course at Wash U. Thankfully the micro classes are only every other week, so I'm only going to be insanely busy every other week. All I can say is I really hope this helps me find a job.....

A few videos

It appears I can finally upload videos again. Here are just a few, nothing too exciting though.

Gus with some of his new Christmas toys:




Dancing with his new puzzle (btw these puzzles are ridiculous....You don't need to have the right piece in the right spot for the music or sound to happen.....I'm not impressed).



Gus and Lucy love to chase each other, and it often results in some of the craziest Gus laughing you've ever heard. This is far from the craziest they can get, but you'll have to settle.

A Wedding and a Belated Christmas!

This weekend, my cousin Aaron got married! His mom (my aunt) had asked me if I would be interested in making the cake, and I said yes, of course! So I spent a good part of late last week preparing a cake to serve a reception for 290 (!!!). It turned out ok, I always have certain issues....but everyone seemed happy with it. So that's done with. The reception was at a really cool old warehouse space in Edwardsville, so I attempted to take 'arty' pictures where you could see some of the other cool buildings from the reception hall. My 'arty' pictures are usually failures. Alas.

One goal while we were all dressed up - a family picture. We went through the entire holiday season without taking one. So here's our best attempt. As usual, Kevin's eyes are closed.

Aaron and Emmy coming to the reception.....we had to go outside and light sparklers even though it was about 15 degrees. Brrr!

Decent picture of us. Of the attempts I had, the one that I looked best, Kevin's eyes were closed. Of course.

Brothers - Aaron and Adam

Like father, like son.

Grandma and Grandpa try to pose with John for a picture.

Random one - I finished my stocking just a little after Christmas! Kevin's is still stretched out from the bag of starburst I put in it....

Gus and Anna being cute (too bad you can't see Anna's face).

Superstar Christmas was at Janeice's house this Sunday. We had a very nice luncheon using her bridal china for the first time ever (they've been married two and a half years!). As usual, it was great to spend some time with everyone.


Two superstar baby bumps! Laura is due in late June, Ang in late May. Yay!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We have had a very busy few weeks! And now I think we need a new house to fit all of Gus' new toys. But....I digress.

We started our Christmas celebrations on Christmas eve. Kevin took a shopping trip to Toys R Us late the night before, and he got Gus all kinds of stuff after I had just bought him a few things knowing he would get a lot everywhere else. Gus got a new big wagon (that I can't wait to get out of my dining room) and a big metal dump truck, among other things. Gus did ok with opening presents, but generally was distracted by the newest thing and had to be dragged back to the next present. He's a little ADD-ish, but I guess that's normal for an 18-month old right?


This is my favorite picture of Gus from the holidays. I just can't help laughing every time I see it.


Opening up a wooden train


Basket! Dad got him a Little Tykes bball hoop!


It started snowing pretty good Christmas eve morning. Kevin took this picture while I was getting ready to head to IL before the snow got any worse.


The next celebration - Christmas at grandma June's. Gus takes a break to give Satchel a hug.


Guitar! One of two he received that day....


Christmas morning - Watching Dad clear the snow from the driveway at grandma's.


All the dogs were watching Kevin too!


And another celebration - Aunt Jackie with both nephews and Great Grandma's house.



And another celebration.....Gus loves the box as a hat at Grandma Connie's house.


And the final Christmas celebration - opening present's with Dad at Great Grandma Lovekamp's house.


For New Year's Eve, we all got together at the Becker's house for crab legs! The brothers-in-law are avoiding the sisters by sitting in the living room.


Gus' favorite place is under the table in Aunt Jackie's kitchen. Gus is introducing the good spot to his cousin!


And so it was....2010 is over. All in all, it was a pretty good year. We have a happy, healthy little boy and we both have jobs for the time being. Here's hoping 2011 brings a new job for me!!