Holiday Fun in the Lou

Every year, we head to St. Louis for Christmas a few days early. This affords us the opportunity to catch up with a number of friends who live in town, as well as those coming into town from around the country. On the Thurs. before Christmas, we went over to our friend Heidi's parent's home to visit. As you can see in the picture below, Aunt Hues came to STL with a toy for Henry, which immediately endeared him to her :) The highlight for Henry had to have been when he stumbled upon a large inflatable exercise ball that I guess Heidi was using to do her morning jazzercize routines. Anyways, Henry loved pushing that ball all over Nancy's house!

Aunt Hues with H Bo

On Christmas Eve, Laura and all her high school friends got together for lunch. Henry and Jack, April's son, got passed around amongst all the women of course!


P-South!



Two brothers from different mothers



On Friday, we went with the Andersons to the Anheuser-Busch brewery tour. In addition, Jen's friend Meg*** was also in town and went with us. Henry particularly loved getting into a truck that was on display in the lobby. While he was in it, he simultaneously would goat the other tour patrons to come up to the truck to 'fist bump' him. On the tour, Henry only really cared about 1) the Clydesdales, 2) the dalmations in the Clydesdale's stable, and 3) running from person to person trying to give fist bumps while the guide told us about the barley, malt, and yeast that went into the AB beers! If you can't tell, giving fist bumps is one of H Bo's favorite things (he has even taught everyone in his daycare how to fist bump).

***While in town through Christmas Eve, Meg certainly did her best to make a run for the title of 'Henry's girlfriend.' She watched cartoons on the couch with him, made him meals, and bought him a present. It was noted that Emily (current title-holder) did none of this. :)

Henry's favorite thing



Grandma and Grandpa A with the little guy

Plaza Lights

It is a KC tradition that the city flips the switch on the Plaza Christmas lights on Thanksgiving night as part of a large party. After our Thanksgiving dinner with the Andersons and Grandpa Bogart, we all decided to head down to take in the festivities. Henry didn't get too into it, other than when the fireworks started to go off. There were also a number of small kids in attendance for Henry to gawk at. As expected, for about 95% of the time we were there, no one but Grandpa Bogart was allowed to hold Henry. The other 5% of the time was only because Grandpa's shoulders would finally need a break! Henry would just cry until Grandpa could take him back. In fact, it got so ridiculous, that when we tried to take pictures with Henry, Grandpa B had to either stand behind the camera, or hide from Henry's sight!


Ready to go - sorry about the hat!!!

 

Yes, Grandpa Bogart is over the cameraman's left shoulder!



This was the embodiment of the night

Grandpa A and H Bo watching the fireworks.

Fall Fun

 This past fall, we all packed up and went to St. Louis. While we were there, we went by Forest Park to take some shots of Henry playing in the leaves. Here are a few of our favorite ones!

One Year Photo Shoot

Henry's one year photo shoot in Forest Park didn't go exactly as planned.  It was hot and humid day in August and it rained on us, but somehow Stephen managed to get some amazing shots of our little guy!  Note there are no pics of mom & dad,  Laura's hair doesn't handle humidity all too well so those shots will never see the light of day. :) As you can see, Henry wasn't real into his birthday cake.  I don't think any of it actually made it into his mouth!