Nauvoo - Part 1

Before we left Illinois, we needed to go to Nauvoo. For whatever reason, everytime we had planned to go, something had come up, so that it wasn't going to work. We were talking to some friends at church about going and they had never been before either so we decided to go together. I have to admit, most of the time we plan out our trips. Other than our hotel being booked, we kind of just winged this one, and it all worked out like I had been planning it forever. The weekend we picked ended up being perfect!! Perfect weather, perfect timing and perfect company.
For such a short trip, I sure took A LOT of pictures. I had finally replaced my old camera (that I lost) with a new fancy one and I love it! I took a picture of the temple without the night setting and it looked terrible but with the right setting, I took these. So pretty! We drove to Nauvoo on Friday evening and Stacy and Josh were good enough to watch the kids so that we could go see the temple all lit up at night. What a beautiful temple it is!

Two other friends of ours (Joss's & Fifield's), happened to be going to Nauvoo the same weekend. Their sweet teenage daughters offered to watch the kids so that all of the grow-ups could go to an early morning session. The temple inside is gorgeous, and to me feels like you are in an old beautiful house.

This is the view from the temple doors over looking the Mississippi River.

When I took this picture it brought tears to my eyes. Everytime I look at it, it does the same thing. This is Olivia's hand on the Savior's foot in the Visitors Center. She kept rubbing her hand over his scar.

It was so fun to have Josh and Stacy with us.

We went on a carriage ride around town. The kids were loving on the horses.

Olivia asked if she could give this one a hug.

The Mighty Mississippi River. I have always know that the pioneers crossed this river but to see it for myself was different. It's amazing to me that the pioneers crossed that river. It's enormous! To have crossed it with the little belongings that you could bring with you and your children....that is Faith.

More Georgia Pictures

We went to Stone Mountain while in Georgia and had lots of fun. My camera ran out of batteries at the start of the day so I don't have many pictures but we had a great time. I think that the highlght of the day for me, was watching my horrified mother do the sky hike with Ben on the second highest level. She didn't know what she was getting into when she said yes to him. How many grandma's would do that with their grandkids? Olivia also did the kiddie zip line. After the first couple of times, she was hanging with one hand on the rope and the other hand hanging upside down like a circus performer. She even got some applause from bystanders.

On top of Stone Mountain

Georgia Trip

My Mom, Gina, the kids and I all headed in two cars back down to Georgia for a few weeks. Even though I had sworn, after the last trip went really badly, that we would never return again, a mere months later I was doing it again. Crazy!

This trip however went much much more smoothly. Maybe Will was a little older but I'm pretty sure it was the 40 dollars in toys and candy that Mom and Gina bought to entertain the kids on the way down, that did the trick. My Mom drove one car with Ben & Olivia and I drove with Will and Gina. Although I thought it was an awesome trip, I think Gina was completely worn out from being the entertainment committee. :)

A few days after getting there we went to the Georgia Aquarium, which is always such a treat.

This is what Will did almost the entire trip. He was a really good baby that day.

After the aquarium we walked over to the Olympic park

I had brought the kids bathing suits to play in the fountains.

I love this picture! We had a great day but sometime between when this picture was taken and ...

this picture was taken I realized that my blue purse had been lost or stolen!! No fun!! I've never had anything stolen from me before and it's not a feeling that I want to feel anytime soon. We are pretty sure it happened sometime while we were at the fountains. After many phone calls to the police departments and lost and founds it has never turned up. On the bright side, I didn't have any cash with me and they didn't use any of the cards either. So it was just the purse, wallet, and ipod with a few other things inside that they got.

We went to the park near our house in Georgia. I wanted to get a picture of Will in this swing at our favorite park. I have a picture of the other two kids in the same swing and just wanted Will's little bum to sit there too.

I got one picture and then this started.

Over Fourth of July weekend, we went to visit the Westerby's and jet skiied at Lake Lanier with the kids. We all had so much fun! Ben even went cliff jumping.

Olivia and Abby

We also visited the McWilliams and hung out for a bbq and pool party at their house.

Aaaahhh, J.T. & Cici, too sweet!!

Hunter, Olivia and Ben

The whole gang

Headed to...

Georgia for spring break!

Random

What's been going on in the last month or so.

1. We had an earthquake in Chicago!! Rick and I jumped out of bed at 4am to shaking, creaking, and some things falling off shelves. I had been having trouble sleeping anyway because of the wind and snow trucks that had been going all night. I thought at first it was a tornado or maybe a snow truck running into the side of our house. Having never experienced an earthquake before it sure seemed like one but I thought "Chicago doesn't have earthquakes, it can't be that." We ran into the kids rooms to them sleeping soundly. It was over so quick. Still not realizing, that it was a earthquake, I spent the rest of the night listening for the tornado sirens. The next morning I found out it was an earthquake that measured 4.3 and the epicenter was 5 miles from our house. YIKES!!

2. Rick and I wanted to take a fun trip with just us before the new baby was born. Due to his work schedule, we quickly realized it wasn't going to happen. Then we decided we would take the kids to a hotel with a water park inside to get away from the freezing weather. We left Friday night, ate at Red Robin for dinner, stayed at the hotel, and swam on Saturday until everybody was tired and then came home. It was nice to do something different. The kids had fun but I think they liked the chocolate donuts and o.j. for breakfast the best.

3. It has become a tradition that when we have a baby the other child/children go to Build-A-Bear and pick out and make a special animal for the new baby. Ben and Olivia picked out a dark brown bear and named him Chocolate. They put two hearts in the bear from both of them, which they both kissed. Now chocolate is just waiting in the baby's room. The kids really liked doing something for the baby and are very excited to meet him.

4. Some sweet friends of mine had a baby shower for me and two other girls in the ward. We are all due pretty close together and we're all having boys. The shower was just perfect and it was fun to chat with all the girls. I'm so grateful to everyone that helped with the shower. I'm a lucky lady.

5. Since we have moved into our house, all decorating had been put on the back burner. In the last few weeks we have been trying to get some things looking cute. Although making decisions on anything for me right now is hard. Rick said he is getting a shirt made for me that says "I don't know". When I'm done I'll post some pictures. Then again...are you ever really done decorating your house?

6. I have this massive list of things I want to do before the baby is born. One of the most important ones was taking the kids out on individual dates. This Saturday Olivia and I went to see the play "Cinderella". We had such a great time together with just the girls. She brought her Cinderella Barbie with her and wore her twirly dress. There was lots of singing and dancing perfect for Olivia. I don't think she blinked or moved the entire show. During the intermission we went and got a Cinderella ornament and a lollipop in the shape of a crown. She was so happy! One of the best parts for me was when we were driving home. Olivia asked why I did this for her. I said because I loved her, because I love spending time with her, and because she is a special person. She just smiled a huge grin. I love her so much!

Key West

Since it has officially been the 2nd coldest, cloudiest and rainiest summer on record here in Chicago, I really appreciated our trip to Key West in August. Not only did we get to hang out at the beach for a week but we got to be with Adam, Megan & Carson. We had such a relaxing and fun trip.

My Bathing Beauty

Ben loved when Rick would throw him off the dock.

The cousins watching 'the Cat Man' at the Sunset party

Ben is a great swimmer. He would swim all day and just collapse at night from exhaustion. He even dove down and found an old bottle and a dollar bill at the bottom of the ocean.

Adam & Megan were nice enough to watch the kids while Rick and I went to dinner to celebrate our anniversary. Thanks guys. This was our view from the table.

At the beach

Olivia really wanted her picture taken.

Adam, Megan & Carson. Carson is so sweet.

Rick got involved with a crazy fire breather during the sunset party.