Meet Me in St. Louie

...couldn't resist naming the post that...

Don't look too close... the iPhone panorama of moving people always looks weird :) 

But, it gives you an idea of the patio where we had our lunch gathering.

We flew out of Montana, had a layover in Seattle, and then boarded our flight to St. Louis. There, my momma and Tyler finally got to meet! We stayed with Aunt Adrienne and Uncle Gene for the weekend. My mom single-handedly planned a beautiful luncheon in Grafton the next day to give our midwestern family a chance to meet Tyler. My great Uncle Lou took several gorgeous pictures, preserving the day beautifully, and gifted us prints in an album a week later. I, however, realized today I do not have a digital copy, so I'm left with just the iPhone pics (most of which my Uncle Ray took) to share on here right now. It is always fun to get together with the extended family members that I sure don't see often enough. I am amazed at how grown up my cousins' kids are becoming!! 

To the left, I am with my cousin, Kayla. And to the right of that, I am with her daughter, Leah Michelle.



Since it was such a pretty day, Uncle Ray took us out for a boat ride on the Mississippi. That was a lot of fun, too.

Willow thought the wind was a bit much and 

curled up in Tyler's arms for most of the ride. 

Enjoying the ride! 

Willow getting a little feisty 

 Dad and Mom with Me and Ty

Me with my cousin, Alicia

Dad and Uncle Lou 

View of St. Louis from the Arch

Before driving further south to Tennessee, my parents dropped Tyler and I off at the Gateway Arch. I figured we should do a little sightseeing since we were there... We had another gorgeous day for the drive to TN. The weekend went by really fast. Between it being the first time Tyler and my mom met, Tyler meeting lots of extended family, having everyone together for only a couple hours, trying to catch up with everyone... it was kind of a whirlwind. I wish I could have had more time to really spend with everyone- but it wasn't really feasible!! (It looks like you're all just going to have to plan to visit us here in Alaska and get some quality time that way!) Pretty much the only thing I don't LOVE about Alaska is how far away it is. It is not easy for family to come visit and vice versa. I am so thankful to everyone that made it to our luncheon, and especially my momma for planning it all. Truly a lovely weekend!