"Sister's By Chance, Friends By Choice"

Day 6 - Thursday Journal Entry (edited for this page)

Today, we went to the butterfly house and had a blast shooting photos! I think we are both photography maniacs and we couldn't help but take TONS of the butterflies! I also showed her the childhood home I grew up in and then took her out to meet my adoptive mom! We had fun at Roly Poly subs for lunch acting silly and getting full! At night we went to old St. Charles on mainstreet and ate at Lewis & Clark Restaurant. We met our friends Andrea and James and their 3 children for dinner and it was cool because we got a room to ourselves and we had a blast being funny and loud! Our server thought we were nuts! This had to be our BUSIEST photo day and to think that I didn't even include three quarters of the pictures taken!

Day 6 photo - Renee and Nikki OUTSIDE the Butterfly House

Day 6 photo - Renee and Nikki INSIDE the Butterfly House

Day 6 photo - Mark and Renee @ The Butterfly House

Day 6 photo - Renee and Nikki @ Roly Poly Sandwiches

Day 6 photo - Renee and Nikki being REALLY silly! LOL

Day 6 photo - Nicole and Mimi (her mother)

Day 6 photo - Brielle @ Lewis & Clark Restaurant in Old St. Charles

Day 6 photo - Ryan & Brielle in front of Mom's car @ Lewis & Clark Restaurant

Day 6 photo - Renee & Ryan @ Dinner

Day 6 photo - Renee & Brielle @ Dinner

Day 7 - Friday Journal Entry (edited for this page)

The last day was upon us! Bittersweet! I was happy for her that she was going back home to her husband, it was the first time they'd been apart that long or that far! However, I was so sad to see her go. We went to the Arch in the morning and took lots of pictures, and then headed to the airport. We at at the airport diner, and then headed across the street to say goodbye! In retrospect, I find it funny that we went to the ARCH the last day she was here. To literally sum up how I felt about the whole trip - "On top of the World" and that was certainly how we felt up there in the arch! So it was kinda neat that we DID save that for the last day! So in closing, on the last day, I didn't just gain a sister, but added a TRUE friend to my life. I love you little sister, and miss you terribly! Thank you for visiting me.

Day 7 photo - Renee & Mark in the Arch Capsule about to go up!

Day 7 photo - Renee taking photos out the Arch Window

Day 7 photo - Renee - My seriously Silly Sister! I love this shot!

Day 7 photo - Renee & Nicole "On Top of the World" (ie. the arch!)

Day 7 photo - Renee and Nicole @ Lunch

Day 7 photo - Renee and Nicole before heading to the airport!

Day 7 photo - The parting shot! Mark & Renee checking her luggage!

And that my friends, is my reunion with my sister! We had so much fun and I cannot wait until she comes back! I am hoping NEXT time with her husband, William! William - if you're reading this - you PROMISED!!