Our first VISITOR... Jarom

We were SO lucky to have our first out of state visitor!!! My mom and dad have both visited us already, but they only live an hour away. So Jarom's visit was EXTRA special.

We had so much fun with Jarom here for a week and we hope he enjoyed it too. We picked him up from the airport in St. Louis so we thought we'd stop by the FREE zoo as well as the famous St. Louis arch.

Hold on, there are tons of pictures!!!

It is a HUGE understatement to say that Ethan and Luke were excited to have Jarom here for the week. We headed to the Zoo right from the airport and Ethan and Luke wouldn't let Jarom leave their sides.

It was SO Cute to see them so happy to be with Jarom.
I loved watching Linz get SO excited about the animals. It's been about a year since we've been to the zoo and Linz was too young then to remember it.

Can you see the snake right up to the glass? Linz thought that was pretty cool.
Here she is looking eye to eye with the gorilla.

This lioness was so funny; she stared us down the whole time we were there.

I thought this peacock was pretty cool too.

Here are the kiddos with brothers Jarom and Nate.

Jarom with his three fans.

This is literally what the boys looked like with Jarom the entire time at the zoo. They walked hand in hand with Jarom every second they could.

She makes her daddy proud wearing her sunglasses so well. She looks darn cute in them too!!!

Ethan and Luke posing at the zoo.

St. Louis Arch

Just can't climb up it...

If you've never been, there is an enormous amount of stairs leading up to the arch. I think the kids each went up and down about 4 times (Linz included, she was such a trooper.)

Isn't it beautiful???

Luke and Ethan racing Jarom up the stairs.

More arch beauty

Linz was an incredible trooper. The second picture is of Nate helping her use her left foot to walk up the stairs. She still walks up stairs using the same foot to lead each time and her poor right leg must have been ACHING.

Surprise 30th Birthday Party

Jennett and Dave and kids came for the weekend and since Jarom and Dave are both turning 30 this year (and Nate turned 30 last year) we'd throw a surprise 30th birthday bash for them.

They couldn't have been happier to have fun Dora party hats to wear!!

I took the kids to the dollar store and let them each pick out a gift for the three birthday boys. Luke picked a box of boogers for uncle Dave; very appetizing.

Luke just had to get this scary Halloween mask for Jarom and Ethan's choice was a chain necklace for his wonderful Uncle.

What would a visit to the Noakes be without a group shot at the park????

And, we couldn't let the adults feel left out so one with them as well.

We had such a fun time and were SO glad Jarom was able to come visit!!!! Nate's parents will be coming to visit in about a month and we are super excited to have more fun with family. Come see us again sometime Jarom!!!!

And anyone else who wants to visit the wonderful Land of Lincoln is welcome here anytime as well!!