NCC Touring Choir Trip to St. Louis - Day 2 (5/1), Cathedral Basilica

After the zoo, the touring choir boarded the busses and traveled to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. This is the 2nd largest Cathedral in the United States - the largest is located in Washington D.C.

Unfortunately, since the busses let us out in the back of the Cathedral, I didn't get a picture of the front of it.

Sculptures in the outside garden

One of the entrace doors to the Cathedral Basilica

As part of our visit there, our group was given a tour of the Cathedral which included seeing the significant areas of the Cathedral Basilica, all of the history of how it was built and information about all of the mosaic artwork that adorns the walls and ceilings of the building.

"Being Rich He Became Poor For Your Sakes"
Pictures that show the incredible mosaic artwork that adorns the ceilings

The touring choir also had the opportunity to give a concert while visiting - the acoustics inside were incredible and it was a very neat experience for the children to sing in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

Picture of the Touring Choir with leaders (Miss K is close to the right side, 2nd row from the top)
Picture of all of the chaperones - I'm on the right
I couldn't resist including this nice pic of Miss K with one of her good choir friends

Happy Father's Day Dad!

This post is a tribute for my wonderful dad - thank you for everything!!

I tried to put together a group of pictures about my dad but I have so many memories of trips, time spent fishing (winter and summer) and time spent with family where I don't have the digital pictures to show - just know Dad that I have many fond memories of time spent with you, even of the family cutting wood and freezing corn!

My Dad and his many "toys"! This one is a little hard to see but it is a pic of dad on his tractor.

My Dad's Water Well Drilling Truck
Dad with his dump truck and hay baler
My Dad loves my mom, 40+ years!

Dancing at a family wedding

40th Wedding Anniversary
San Francisco Trip - Dinner out
Dad loves a good trip - here he is on the train to San Francisco
Dad and family sightseeing in San Francisco
Always up for a good hot dog, from a vendor, and a great burger, at a neighborhood "joint".
My Dad loves to learn, about anything and everything! This picture is from a trip my parents took to Canada - they are visiting a public garden. I have many great memories of my dad teaching me about many subjects, both educational as well as life subjects.
My Dad enjoys family and having lots of fun!

Here's to you Dad -> Salute! Love, Your Daughter

Happy Father's Day Choo!

I'm interrupting the St. Louis NCC Choir trip postings for an important holiday -> Father's Day!

A long time ago we started a tradition that every year I would take a picture of just Choo and the kids together during trips - to see their growth over the years. I don't have all the pictures, back to the beginning of when we started this, in digital form but I was able to gather pictures from 2002 through today.

Thank you for being a wonderful husband and father! Happy Father's Day Choo!

Summer trip 2002 - Six Flags in Ohio

2003 - Didn't have a picture in digital form

Early spring 2004 at our house in Chicago

Fall trip 2004 - Washington D.C.
February 2005 trip - Miami for Gymnastics
April 2006 trip - Charleston for Gymnastics

November 2007 trip - Destin Beach
Summer 2008 trip - Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Spring Break 2009 trip - Perdido Key, FL

And, lastly, here's a pic that shows the fun Choo is constantly having with his kids! This picture is from Spring Break 2005 trip - San Francisco

NCC Touring Choir Trip to St. Louis - Day 2 (5/1), The Zoo

St. Louis has a wonderful free zoo and we spent all of Friday morning at it. (Also, Miss K took some of the pictures - she got some nice shots of the animals.)

I and another mom combined our groups for the morning - here is a pic of all the girls between our two groups.

This zoo had a very nice Bird Garden area with a beautifully landscaped walking trail winding through the exhibits and aviaries.

NCC Touring Choir Trip to St. Louis - Day 1 (4/30)

Our first stop of the trip was dinner on Thursday night at the Hard Rock Cafe located in the St. Louis Union Station shopping and festival complex. This looked like an area to come back to in the future as it has a lake with paddle boats, shopping, restaurants, historic guided tours and also houses concerts, festivals and other events.

To get to the Hard Rock Cafe from where the buses parked, we had to cross over the lake on this footbridge.

Miss K and one of the other girls in our group.
This was my first time in a Hard Rock Cafe so not sure if this feature is also found in others but we thought it was so neat - this is the light fixture in the entryway, created out of drums. It was beautiful and changed colors.