Happy Birthday Molly and more

This has been a crazy week. After Sara had her baby, we stayed in St. Louis until Tuesday afternoon. We tried to go to the zoo Monday evening, but it closed just a little before we got there. Jackson was very disappointed until we drove by a playground in Forest Park and he said, "That will do." He and Ellie had a good time and it was good for them to run around a bit before we went back to the hospital. At the hospital Heidi came by with Tyler and Brooke-it was great to get to see them even if it was for a short time. She was so brave to come with them by herself. The next day we rode with my dad back to Kirksville. Jackson was so excited to get back to school. It is hard to believe he only has 6 more days this year. The next few days were spent unpacking, cleaning, laundry, repacking, and making treats to take to Sara and Ryan's on our next trip. But before we headed back, Kaitlin and I got to help with Molly's birthday fondue party. It was an adventure since none of us had done anything with fondue before. I think most of it turned out except for the cheese- it was just a big blob that looked and smelled gross. After getting the party going, Ellie and I headed out to the Sparks to meet Andrew and Jackson for a fish fry. The kids always have a good time out there-maybe it is the candy bowls sitting down where they can reach them :) Then Saturday, after Andrew got a few hours of turkey hunting in, we headed back to St. Louis. It was Molly's 16th birthday!! I think it is hard for all of us to believe she is growing up. I decorated the back seat of our car with some streamers and had her present and treats waiting for her. Then later that day we went out to eat and then enjoyed some cupcakes to finish out her special day. We also got to stop by and see my friend Monica, her husband Dave, and their family. They just had a new little boy, Billy, born just two days before Bella, in the same hospital. He is so precious and is definitely a Stulac. Jackson was very excited to visit them because he loves to play with their boys and they have great toys. Ellie also had fun hanging out with Francie and Warren. Overall it was a fun, quick, and tiring weekend. But I'm guessing not as tiring for us and it has been for those new moms. Well I better go because I have a little girl who is wanting me to put gloves on her feet.