Family Trip to the Arch

 After Matthew's baptism we went to Fitz's for lunch.  Here's Anna watching the soda being bottled.  On the way to Fitz's Anna suddenly had to go to the bathroom REAL BAD!!  We ended up stopping at a gas station in scary downtown St. Louis where I ran her into a disgusting men's bathroom (the women's was out of order and we were desperate).

And then immediately after leaving the restaurant Anna announced she had to go again REALLY BAD!!  We had two other cars following us and the traffic was bad so I thought we could try to make it to the arch.  Unfortunately the whole area around the arch was under construction, we had a hard time finding a place to park and had to park super far away from the arch or any public restrooms.   After Anna agreed to it I put one of the boys diapers on her so she could just go while we looked for parking, but she couldn't do it. The last few minutes Anna was screaming that she couldn't go but had to go SO BAD and Matthew was screaming and telling her to "just go in the diaper" and stop screaming.  By the time we got there Scott and I were both in a bad place.  Grandma ran Anna into a bathroom and talked Matthew down and all was well again.  Thank goodness for Grandparents.

We had to walk a really long way to the arch.  Stupid construction.  The cool museum at the bottom of the arch was closed, the arch itself was no longer free and the close parking structure we usually go in was being torn down.  So we may not go to the arch again while we live here.  So much trouble!

By the time we got there not everyone wanted to go up in the arch.  Here are the kids with with my dad going up in the arch.  Grandpa Keeler, John, Matthew and me.

 And Anna and Grant

 Up on top Matthew!

That window behind him is one of the tiny lookout windows.

 View from the arch looking toward Illinois

 Top of the arch selfie

 And Anna looking back up toward the arch

 Matthew holding up the arch

Anna and Olivia (her cousin/our niece).

Anna was very excited to spend time with her cousins!!  In spite of some rough patches during our outing, we had a fun time visiting the arch.  And I think that might be our last visit since we will be moving in a few months.