Getting settled in St Louis

We left Minneapolis early in the morning on June 1st. It was a strange feeling leaving, but I think it's set in a lot more now, a month later. We (at least I was) were pumped on so much adrenaline getting through everything that's part of moving and the drive that day was no different. Zeke drove our U-haul and I was in the minivan with the boys. Lucas and Matias did take turns riding in the truck with Zeke which was nice. The drive itself wasn't too bad - we stopped to get gas and eat and we made it to our house at about 9pm that night. We parked the truck in the driveway and then went to our hotel for the night. The next day, June 2nd, our awesome friends the Wessman's watched our kids while we went to the closing and got our keys. Everything went smoothly at the appointment and we got our keys by 11am and then went over to OUR house! We went and picked up the boys, had lunch at Dewey's Pizza (so yummy!) and then came home to unpack. At least Zeke and Lucas unpacked - Nicolas and I first took a nap. :) The things I remember most from that first day is how HOT and HUMID it was, how loud the cicadas were and how many wonderful neighbors stopped by to say hi. We have met so many great people so far and are so happy with the house and neighborhood that we chose. But at the same time, I really miss all of our friends and the familiarity of everything in Minneapolis. It's always hard adjusting to new grocery stores, a new routine and making new friends, etc. We're definitely still in 'transition' mode I think, but life is good....and would be a lot better if Jonas would decide to join our family!!! Yes, we've decided to name baby #4 Jonas - technically 9 days until my due date but I really want him to come sooner...

Here are some pictures from our first few days in St Louis:

this is the only picture I got on moving in day (June 2nd) - Zeke and Lucas basically unpacked the whole truck themselves - in the evening our new bishop and EQ president stopped by to help carry in the few heavy items we own - Zeke was impressed with how much Lucas really did help!

there is a small lake or pond (whatever you want to call it) right by our house - the boys love it because you can even go fishing! (June 5th)

this Sunday afternoon, we took a walk around the neighborhood

there is a fake coyote by the lake - our neighbor says it helps keep the geese away

Lucas and Matias are helping chase those geese away :)

part of our neighborhood

I had to take a video so you can get an idea of how loud and annoying the cicadas were! Luckily they're all gone now - we moved in at the tail end of the 'plague' - and luckily they only come every 13 years

back to our house on Falaise Dr!

to take a break from the unpacking, we took the boys to the St Louis Zoo on Monday (June 6th)

always love pictures of flowers - had to include them :)

Nicolas loved seeing the birds

checking out a giraffe's tongue

it was another super hot and humid day

Lucas was really excited to see the black rhino

later that evening after dinner, we enjoyed being outside - Lucas and Zeke played basketball and Matias and Nicolas were enjoying their bikes

to perfect the evening, an ice cream truck came by!

the boys were so excited and kept calling it 'the best day ever'

we are officially Missourians now! :)