stl and pacific nw

when we scheduled our flight out to ains' baptism it was a lot cheap to drive to st louis so we decided to take the kids to the temple where jason and i were married.  we ourselves hadn't been back since we got married over 10 1/2 years ago.  it was simply awesome to stand on the same ground we began our married lives on with all of our children.  the beauty was overwhelming and i commented, "why didn't we get married in the summer instead of the winter?"  maybe it seemed all the more beautiful because we were all there together.  mom managed to find a rocking chair in the airport and proceeded to rocking q while we waited to board and while some enjoyed their ice cream.  the kids were amazing on the flight...everyone behaved and no issues came up.  even little 7 week old q didn't make a peep.  some people on the plane even commented that they never would have known a baby was seated behind them had they not saw her.  we spent the 4th of july watching matt set off fireworks in the middle of the street which was a big deal since he feels that fireworks are like setting fire to money.  the kids loved the sparklers and the fireworks that uncle matt did.  ains looked lovely in her white dress.  i love that my family has made it a priority to be at baptisms for the kids in the family.  i feel it displays how important we feel it is to make this choice.  there are so many things that are missed out on due to the enormous distance between us but this commitment unites us and in some ways closes the distance.  we were already talking about who was next and when we will be together again.  hopefully it is before swee is baptized in 2 years.  while there we hiked a rainforest and scarred priss pretty good while there.  she had went ahead with her uncles and while they were climbing on a fallen tree she slipped.  the slip wouldn't have been that bad but she fell into a patch of stinging nettles.  instantly she had welts over both arms and legs, and was yelling.  that was how we ended up finding them...her screams.  jason then carried her the remainder of the hike with her crying about her arms and legs whenever asked how she was doing.  she ended up needing an antihistamine to calm the reaction down.  priss and ains put on a performance of singing and dancing on ains' birthday.  swee enjoyed having some much needed dad time and riding the electric scooter, while doodle loved playing in the backyard with finner and grady.  we went to the fish market in seattle and took a ferry to bainbridge island.  the boys both loved riding on the ferry and getting to watch out the window.  it was a wonderful trip that allowed erica and valeri's families to meet their new niece and for us to support ains in her choice.