Crossin' the Mighty Mississip'

Growing up in the Andrus family, we had our share of unique family traditions, a.k.a. quirks. It's not every family that concludes family prayer with a chant of "one two, I love you" (Callie's version) or "One two three, I love thee" (Kara's never-to-be-outdone rendition.) However, few traditions bring back memories as vivid as those connected with crossing the Mighty Mississippi during our many minivan marathons. You always knew when you were crossing those muddy waters because the whole vehicle erupted into spontaneous song about how it was "a treat to put your feet on the Mississippi Mud," immediately followed by soul-felt soliloquies to the barges "flickering light."

This past weekend we were fortunate enought to relive some of my childhood memories by traveling to St. Louis with our friends Bruce and Brittney. It was so fun to lie on the green grass and gaze up the white Arch silhoutted against a bright blue sky. The arch was still as tall and grand as I remembered from my field trips there as a Brownie scout, with the cars still appearing just as tiny from the top. I hope that someday my own girls will come back with their children and reminisce about their quirky parents, passing the traditions on to even more generations.

Oh, and in case anybody wondered whether or not the Mississippi is any higher than usual, the last picture is worth a thousand words...