Grant's Home

From 2011-07-28 Ulysses Grant Home

President Ulysses S. Grant was stationed at the Jefferson Barracks when he visited the Dents at White Haven. (His friend from West Point's family.) There he met Julia. Who he persuades to marry him. She said that she preferred to be engaged and he decided that was enough. Then he was sent out for four years where upon his return Julia still wanted to marry him and so they did. Ulysses did not spend much time here, but Julia did, 3 of their children were born here. Their families did not like the match. He being from the North and anti-slavery and she being from the South and had slaves. His family treated poor Julia abominably when she was around. After the death of her Mother and the failing health of her Father, Ulysses bought White Haven with the hope of raising race horses there. However he was elected for a second term in office as President and so he never came back to White Haven. Interesting side note, the green paint has Arsenic in it to achieve the color!  Here Lizzy has located the washing machine:

From 2011-07-28 Ulysses Grant Home

The ice they brought in from the river stayed frozen in the Ice house for 4 years! They just packed it in saw dust and straw. Amazing.

Our City

The Bartholomews came down to spend the weekend with us so we took them to the City Museum! I love this place!

From 2011-07-25 City Museum

Daniel, Charles and Joseph took off to explore their way and the rest of us went at our pace.  It is such an amazing place. Lizzy built her own city:

From 2011-07-25 City Museum

Ta da! Such fun!
           

Over Arching

From 2011-07-24 The ARch

I finally got to see the Arch! After the first fiasco I came prepared. Or so I thought. We parked and walked the short distance to the Arch. It is along the Mississippi River and we saw a coal barge floating down. I was quite excited. It was so long! The coal Daniel gets at work comes down the Mississippi River on these barges.

From 2011-07-24 The ARch

Later we entered the line to get into the Arch and some kind people told us there was no line on the other side, so we crossed over and they were right. Security was like the airport. You were given buckets to place your stuff in, there was an x-ray and metal detector, you even had to remove your belt. But you could keep your shoes! After entering and feeling extremely grateful for air conditioning, we got in line to pay to go up. There is a museum in there that is free, and we walked through it after our adventure up the Arch. More on that later.
  So we decide to go the whole enchilada and get tickets to the Arch and the River boat tour. I had a coupon so Lizzy was free. I was so excited! We got in line to go up, but first you must go down. And down some more, then finally down again.  You get a colored card and your picture is taken and you wait around for a while. There are plenty of things to read about the construction and builders, but Lizzy didn't care, so we listened to some phones that told you about the construction and builders, but after 2 minutes, Lizzy didn't care. So we waited until we could descend the staircase to get to the elevator doors. We got door number 8. Here's Lizzy at our door. We were told that the ride was like getting into a washing machine, and they were right. The pods are small and only allow 5 people, then the door closes and you are ratcheted  up and up and up. Once this started, Lizzy began to fear for her life. She cried and clung to me. I tried to calm her, but she would have none of it. Finally we exited the pod and I lead her crying up to the view ports.

From 2011-07-24 The ARch

 

From 2011-07-24 The ARch

Still crying she attempted to look out, but really she just wanted down, so after about 2 min. We got in line to go down. This was much more cramped and when Lizzy realized that we must take the elevator down she dissolved all over again. Some how she thought we were going to walk all the way back down! So eventually I got her in the pod and held on to her while we descended. The silly thing was once she could see stairs out the little window of the elevator, she was fine. Crazy child. So we visited the general store and got some taffy and cookies, which we ate before entering the museum. The museum was interesting. I really liked this boat:

From 2011-07-24 The ARch

Then we went down to the River Boat dock.

From 2011-07-24 The ARch

On the way down the hundred or so stairs a kind man helped me take the stroller down. He said that he had been there before. He had 3 kids. I was very appreciative. We had lunch on their patio and Lizzy tried to catch the birds. We saw our steam boat come in. We were all excited.

From 2011-07-24 The ARch

Ever ready for tourists, to enter the boat you had your picture taken, then we walked down the gangplank and entered.

From 2011-07-24 The ARch

I hefted the stroller up the stairs and we got a seat on the outside near the big wheel. Here is a video of it.

From 2011-07-24 The ARch

It was a fun tour and the Ranger came down and showed the kids all kinds of animal parts. I liked the beaver's tail. She saved the buffalo chips for last and asked them if they knew what it was. No one did. She passed it around and one small boy tried to break off a piece to keep. Gross! When the tour ended, we walked back up all those steps and then walked across the street and up to the capital building. The stone was warm so Lizzy complained that it was giving her a hot butt.

From 2011-07-24 The ARch

The capital was dressed in all it's finery. There were dioramas and a video about the Dred Scott trial. It was amazing. We got to sit in the judge's chair and read about the trial. There were exhibits in the rooms about St. Louis from it's begining through to now. Then we climbed the stairs to the second floor and looked in the court room and observed the paintings. It was quite hot up there. We decided to take the wheel chair lift down since I'd had it with all the climbing with a stroller. This it turns out was another mistake, the lift is a giant metal box, so as it had sat out in the 103 degree weather it was rather like an oven. Not only was it unbearably hot, in fact Charles touched the wall and burned himself, but it was unbearably slow...... So when we left we were all ten pounds lighter from all the water loss.  We walked back to the car all the while Lizzy kept asking if we could go back up the Arch. Ah, No.

Milestones

Charles is very mobile now, I caught some of his tricks on video and have to show them off!

From 2011-07-25 Crawling

Next, he has four teeth on top now and I caught a toothy grin just for you:

From 2011-07-25 Crawling

He is too adorable, and loves to chase Lizzy around the house. I am glad that they get along so well. I am so blessed.

Hannibal, Mo

I have wanted to visit Hannibal since we moved here, but never seemed to get around to it. Well on the 4th of July we went for it. It is about two hours north of us, so not too bad a drive. Daniel was working that night so we left him sleeping and went north. There were two things on my agenda, although there are a few more things to do and see there. I wanted to see the Molly Brown house and the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. We stopped at a visitor center just outside of Hannibal and got a booklet of coupons. Then we went to the Molly Brown Home. Turns out her real name is Margret and she went by Maggie her whole life. Hollywood changed it after her death. (Apparently Molly is easier to sing then Maggie.)  Also not only did she survive the Titanic, but 2 other boat crashes and a fire! I'm not sure if she was lucky or cursed. She was very intelligent and learned several languages most of which she spoke fluently. This aided her on the Titanic where she was able to interpret for the immigrating passengers. She accomplished much during her lifetime. Quite a remarkable woman.
Then we went to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum. These are separated into various buildings. We started at the museum and then walked to the Home and saw his father's law practice and home of his sweet heart. I enjoyed visiting Hannibal, but was shocked to find no marker nor mention of Hannibal's other Star: Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO. Alas. I guess The Unsinkable Molly Brown is the only musical to be celebrated there.

Palmyra, NY

 We were blessed to be able to go to Palmyra for the pageant, but for our first stop we went to Chicago! I have wanted to go there forever. I love the architecture. So Daniel let me plan that leg of our trip. We arrived at the:

From 2011-07-10 Palmyra

 A quaint B&B outside of Chicago. The owner played the piano for us during breakfast! She was super sweet. We had the upstairs room. It was cute. Then after we had unpacked for the night we set off once again for: Medieval Times!

From 2011-07-10 Palmyra

We enjoyed dinner and the show.

From 2011-07-10 Palmyra

Charles had a hard time with the noise, but Lizzy had a blast cheering and booing. She was so excited. In the morning we went to Chicago and after the GPS went haywire, we finally got on track and made it to the down town. I was so excited I was practically jumping. We stopped in the Library first which had a visitor center and picked up a few brochures. Then we headed out. We walked down to Wacker Dr. and I got a pin at the Hard Rock Cafe, then we spotted some window washers on one of the buildings. See if you can spot them:

From 2011-07-10 Palmyra

Not a job I would want! Daniel said that he'd try it though. We saw the Sears Towers and the Chicago theater.

From 2011-07-10 Palmyra

  We headed up to the Millennium Park for lunch. We had some less then outstanding Chicago Dogs and listened to the band play. Our parking cost a whopping $28. for 2 hours! I wasn't expecting that. Then we headed west to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park. We were in time for the 2 o' clock tour and I just loved his studio. He used chains to create tension for the structure.  It was beautiful!  Here is the upstairs part The columns are on casters and store the drafts. The house was impressive too especially the children's play room. On the opposite side is a grand piano set inside the wall and a gallery for plays and whatnot. The piano end sticks out overhead in the stair case. It was so fun. Then we were off to Clinton and Janet's house. That was great, but we had to leave the next morning for Palmyra. So off we drove through 3 states and numerous toll booths to arrive at Niagara Falls! After a few false starts, nearly going to Canada and several rings around the parking lots we made it. Click on the video to experience it:

From Palmyra Falls

Then I got a pin at the Hard Rock Cafe there. It's a good thing we weren't eating there as there was a 2 hour wait! Then we raced off to Palmyra to arrive just in time for the pageant. We got some food from the Lion's Club vendors and set up our blanket. It was a beautiful night, and the pageant was wonderful.

From 2011-07-10 Palmyra

Then we went to find our car amidst the blaring Anti Mormon preachers across the street. That was funny. We spent the night in a little town just outside Palmyra in a nice hotel, there was a wedding party there too. I would have liked to explore there too since there was a lot of fun history. (Jell-o was invented there) But time was short so we went back to Palmyra and visited the church sites. We saw the Smith's log home where Joseph recieved the vision of the Angel Moroni. Then we toured the frame house which is just a few yards away as you can see in this picture.

From 2011-07-10 Palmyra

But it crosses the county line so we couldn't tour the upstairs. I was most impressed with their sink.

From 2011-07-10 Palmyra

 We toured the barn and saw the beehives:

From 2011-07-10 Palmyra

and the cooper shop. Then we went into the Sacred Grove. I wish I could impart the feeling there. It was like entering the Temple. Though there were many people visiting, the tone was hushed and reverent. I asked Daniel to go ahead and I sat down on one of the many benches. He decided to stay and stand there in front of me so I didn't quite get the moment I wished, but oh well.

From 2011-07-10 Palmyra

We had to leave, so I got up and strolled out. I wish we had more time. I do hope that we may be able to return someday. We returned to Clinton and Janet's for a scrumptious meal. Janet, Lizzy and I went to the park and Lizzy was scared by the fire flys. She has a real aversion to bugs. Here's a video.

From 2011-07-10 Palmyra

 Then we went to bed. After a glorious breakfast, we drove home. Charles finally started crawling during this trip and now he has two teeth on top. So it was momentous for all!

Wild Things

Last week my friend Elizabeth invited us over for an animal party. I was excited and asked Lizzy what animal she wanted to be. She said a spider, but later changed that to a sheep. OK I think I can manage that. So I break out the hot glue gun and cotton balls. This outfit will be epic! I get to gluing and Lizzy starts out by handing me the cotton balls. Then she hides them, next she starts throwing them like snowballs all the while yelling, "Snow, snow!" Eventually I am able to locate them all when I realize I don't have enough! What to do? So I frantically search the house for white fluffy wool like material. I find some batting and get back to gluing. At last it is finished and looking a bit wonky, but it's too late to start over. Note to self: Just use Batting to begin with, it's easier and faster then cotton balls. Anyway, so we arrive and Lizzy is the only one with a costume. Oh well. So much for my frantic morning. We made masks and danced around and then had a snack of bananas and animal crackers while Grace performed a puppet show. We all had a good time.

From 2011-07-02 Animal Party

And here is the whole enchilada:

From 2011-07-02 Animal Party

On another note, Lizzy is my little Sous-chef. She has been helping herself to the unfinished products for years now. It baffles me how she can eat flour and salt plain, but I digress. Anyway so while shopping at Michael's the other day I found a Chef hat and just had to buy it. Now that I've tried it on, I'm going back for my own. It is so fun. Unfortunately, after decorating it, she didn't want to wear it so here is Charles modeling it.

From 2011-07-02 Animal Party

Adorable right? I love it! We also got to meet Cara Bartholomew for the first time. Janet and Cara braved the 9 and 1/2 hours to come down for a visit and we met up with them at Denise and Jason's home. We had a scrumptious meal and got reacquainted. Cara is a dear. We had Baby Wars:

From 2011-07-02 Animal Party

Cara won. She's a contender:

From 2011-07-02 Animal Party