Meet me in St. Louie, Louie...

When we arrived in St. Louis, fresh from our mini vacation in San Fran, we had a massive 'to do' list each and everyday to accomplish. We wanted to get as many wedding tasks and appointments as we could out of the way before the international visitors arrived to town. Get social security card, get wedding license, hair trial, makeup trial, get dress altered, dry clean suits, practice dance, write vows, flowers, engagement photos....the lists never seemed to end.

Getting the wedding license was actually pretty cool. That made the whole thing sink in. And everywhere we went people were just so darn friendly. 'congrats on the marriage, wow your son is cute.' Hmmm...maybe it was because we had Luca in tow everywhere we went. People can't resist talking to you when you've got a little boy stealing the show. We had to raise our right hand and solemly swear on the marriage at the wedding license place. It was hard not to giggle during this....it just seemed so formal and unecessary to be swearing the truth to some random office worker in downtown Clayton.


James and I also visited the local YMCA gym that Mom and Bob are members at. Okay, this place is awesome. Puts City Fitness to shame (although the group fitness classes are way better back home) but the thing that was really cool about the YMCA. FREE CHILDCARE. Yes, that's right completly free. You could drop your kids off, go for a workout or swim, have a coffee (which was also free), read a magazine, and then go collect the kids. How cool is that!? If we move to the States, we'll definitly be looking at real estate close to the YMCA.

James had is SECOND stag night in Vegas, which gave me two more days or wedding errands. Want details on Vegas? Ask him, b/c I'm in the dark. To be honest, I don't really care. Yeah, you think most brides would be worried about a stag night in Vegas, but I totally trust James (and know he didn't have much money to blow on gambling - cause we have none, and also know that Vegas, although fun in small doses, probably wouldn't really be his cup of tea)....But then again....VEGAS, baby! I'm sure the guys had a great time.
Then the kiwis arrived. First Mars and Karl, which we entertained at my parents house for the night and we filled them up on wholesome American foods (steak n' potatoes, dr peppers, root beers, lots of veg/fruit, biscuits n' gravy, gooey butter cake....) Then next Jo, Bruce, Barry, and Judy.

We crammed a lot in those few days. We wanted to show them the best of St. Louis, and I can safely say that we had a great time.....a few pics from the week prior to the wedding....

Visiting winieries in rural towns outside of NZ. Sampling and drinking way too much wine, and enjoying the gorgeous warm spring weather.

Picnic at one of the winieries

Karl not handling his wine too well....what's with all the water Karl? Ha ha

Checking out downtown STL and the Botanical Gardens. Look, both Grandma and Oma with Luca at the same time. Double the babysitters!

Hanging out at Six Flags theme park, and going on so many rollercosters I thought my head was going to explode...

Karl sampling a Huge turkey leg at Six Flags.

Also on the St. Louis activity list were going to a Cardinals Baseball game, shopping....oh....the massive shoe stores and discount clothing stores!!!, wandering around Downtown St. Louis, the arch, eating at the golf clubhouse, factory tour of Anheuisure Busch (I have no idea how to spell that).

Midweek more visitors starting arriving. First James Dad, then his Aunt and also Phil and Alice from the UK. Thankfully Pete and Rolly also made it (I think they liked Vegas a bit too much...hee hee). After we had everyone in town....that's when the real fun started...

We truly do hope our visitors got a good glimpse of American way of life, and we loved hosting you.