Illinois Family Reunion

We are home from our 3 week RV road trip to Illinois. What an unforgetable adventure with so many new experiences. I had never seen Nauvoo, Kansas or Oklahoma, never riden the world's longest tram up a mountain side in New Mexico and I had never even wanted to drive a 30 foot vehicle around a block, let alone 4,000+ miles. Despite a few challenges with the rig, we had a fantastic time.

This was the first time Rob's entire family (parents & all the kids & grandkids) had been together since our wedding day nearly 10 years ago. We all came together for Memorial Day in Dixon, IL, the home of Rob's Dad's Cobra which he flew in Vietnam. It has been restored and painted just like he had it 42 years ago and is on display at a Veterans Memorial Park. Here are some of the photos from the reunion there and Nauvoo, IL.

The patriotic citizens of Dixen gave us all a warm welcome. Rob's Dad was honored in the parade by having us all ride with him in a Deuce and a half military truck.

The Nauvoo temple was breathtaking. It was rebuilt in 2002 almost exactly as the early saints had built it in the 1840's. We were able to park next to the hotel where everyone else was staying, kiddie corner from this sacred building.

Joel, Cassie, Maia, Audrey & William. Cousins from 3 of the 4 families coming from Pennsylvania, Alabama, Utah & Arizona.

 

Bennett got to lead the children's parade in the Nauvoo evening variety show. It was so fun to watch the senior missionaries and talented mini-mission missionaries perform. I could just imagine my folks up there on the stage!

The statues of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in front of the beautiful Nauvoo Temple.

Cousins Josh and Jeremiah, 2 of the 4 J's who were all born in October. These two had never met, but had an instant bond.

A bumpy ride behind some seasoned oxen gave us new appreciation for the pioneers (who rarely rode due to weight limitations for their journey). I think I would prefer to walk also.

Saying goodbye as everyone headed their own ways from Carthage Jail. It was so moving to see be in the room where the Joseph and Hyrum were killed. What an incredible sacrifice. My testimony of his purpose on the earth was reaffirmed - I know he was a prophet of God.

Happy Birthday Audrey!

My little girl is eight today... crazy. She and I went to have her ears pierced today. I had to wait till I was 11, but I couldn't see listening to her asking any longer when I was just as excited as she was to have it done. Here's my happy, smart, creative, helper - as adorable as ever. I love you Audrey. I'm so glad you're part of my life!

Paleontology & A Birthday Party

I got this idea from a dinosaur book from the library. It turns out that, while dusting cookie crumbs (ancient dirt) off precious chocolate chips (bones of prehistoric animals) is sort of tedious, it's far more tasty than your average day of excavation. Just ask Jeremiah.

Bennett had his birthday with his friends last Saturday. I can't believe he's turning six already! We had five little wild boys and one of their sisters (as moral support for Audrey). This is Bennett waiting patiently to blow out his candle...so sweet.

For those of you who asked, the new camera, that I'm trying desperately to control, is a Canon 60D.

Happy Mother's Day

It's hard to know what sort of sacrifice and dedication come with motherhood before you get to be a mother. I think I sort of figured that all mothers were as involved and devoted as mine - without even recognizing all the acts of love and hours of worry and years of example that she showed.

Mom was at just about every gymnastics practice, absolutely every meet (and there were a lot), she sewed Christmas jammies every year and made ultra creative birthday cakes, she rolled my hair in those soft, pink curlers on Saturday nights and cooked countless delicious meals. Mom (and Dad) flew to Isreal, New Hampshire and Portugal to be with me and experience what I was experiencing. I am just one of six to keep track of, but I'm grateful that she has always made me feel important and let me know that she believes I can do anything with my life.

Happy Mother's to all the wonderful moms I know and especially to you, Mom, I love you!

Bed time photo shoot

We finally ordered (and received!) our dream camera. Perhaps I shouldn't admit that till we figure out how to make it take breath-taking photos, but I wanted to share anyway. I earned the money (Mary Kay - thank you to my awesome, supportive, beautiful customers) several months ago, but we were afraid to take the plunge without THOROUGHLY researching all the options and finding the best deal. The kids have been very patient with both Rob and me and our shutter happiness.

Toilet Training

On the up side, we're no longer buying diapers. On the down, this is all on his terms... including his attire.

Business Trip

We are officially home schoolers! After much deliberation, I took the kids out of the all-too-convenient school next door following their Spring Break in March. We had weighed the advantages: personalized, customized education full of life experiences with the disadvantages: loss of me-time, and found that we like our kids enough to make the sacrifice. I've been so grateful for family encouragement to make this move and supportive friends who believe in me.

Feeling the freedom to do so, we accompanied Rob on his trip to Salt Lake for most of the week last week. While he sat in a certification class, we did school work, swam, visited with family and got to see the new baby!

Kelly and Esther welcomed little Asher into their family March 19th. He was held and cuddled and loved throughout the week. We arrived Wednesday, and my parents and Lisa with her children came on Friday (driving separately). Sometimes everything just comes together nicely. Lisa had come to look for a house in Saint George where they hope to move soon. We got to celebrate Ryan's birthday with him and my Uncle Richard's birthday on Sunday as well. Saturday was dedicated to seeing Rob's family - his Grandparents, Aunt Candy and Uncle Phil and his sister, Kate and her family. We stayed Sunday night with Aaron and Krystal at their new place in Springville. It's a great place with a yard and views of the mountains. Thanks for letting us crash at the Swan Resort once again!

This was my dad's chair (when he was smaller). It was recently repaired to be passed on to Aaron and Krystal's munchkins.

Lisa and I spent Friday with the kids at Liberty Park in downtown Salt Lake, and then at the Church History Museum and Temple Square. Here's Spencer spotting Jeremiah (precious blanky in tow) on the jungle gym. It was so nice to have Lisa's older kids to help keep track of the younger one's at the very busy park.

Jeremiah and Mo on Kelly and Esther's back porch. Such an adorable place they recently moved into.

It also happened to be Conference weekend. Rob and I got to attend the Sunday afternoon session. It was so uplifting and inspirational to be there in person (not tending to children may have helped me to feel the message of the speakers as well). The 4" of snow we woke up to Sunday morning had mostly melted off by the end of the session.

 

We also toured the old Army base where Rob's dad was stationed in the late 80's. This is the building where he worked.

The Climbing Place

Bennett had waited the better part of a year to visit this, the land of really big rocks to scale, aka the climbing place. Rob drove past this place several months ago, but since it was about an hour and a half from our home we waited till we had more than one reason to drive over the mountain to Prescott to check it out.

A beautiful view from a short climb made us all glad we had come!

Hamburger

The most precious word Jeremiah says on a regular basis is 'hamburger' pronounced more like hambuggy. Tell me how a two year old can work 'hamburger' into just about any conversation... it's amazing. The best part of this video was watching it 10 times consecutively with Jeremiah because each time we replayed it he would respond to Rob's voice with the exact same words and intonation as if they were having the conversation for the first time. He would then demand "again!". 

Valentine's exchange is coming

I remember staying up late the night before Valentine's Day most years growing up... pain- stakingly cutting and gluing what seemed like innumerable hearts and doilies with my devoted mother. I'm sure there were cheesy little rectangular cards that could be purchased back then too. Those lack individuality and creativity though. So, in preparation for Monday's big party, we filled this afternoon with coloring and cutting and hot gluing even. They turned out simple, but cute and at least the chocolates with be appreciated.

Bennett's were similar with chocolates that had cute conversation heart sayings on them... UR Cute, Be Mine, Hottie! and other really appropriate things for kindergarteners to say to each other.

Hiking Bell Rock

We returned to Bell Rock on Saturday. We still couldn't get up the steep sumit with the kids, but we got further than two years ago when Jeremiah (3 months old) was strapped on the front of me. He was less opinionated then. The kids did great scrambling up the rocks - some other hikers confessed they would not have gone as far if they hadn't seen a 2 year old doing it! It's great to live so close to beautiful Sedona - it really takes your breath away! I didn't take the camera with us, but these are from my phone.

Rob & Bennett making a rock tower.

Go Team Go!

Audrey completed a week of Cheer Camp tonight. It was so fun to watch her perform with 100 other girls during the high school basketball half-time. They did two different dances and a cheer. Go Audrey!