Nauvoo

We got back from Nauvoo last night after a gruelling 10 hour drive home. I say gruelling but the only thing bad about it was me being pregnant. We drove home through Wisconsin and saw some incredibly beautiful country. Before anyone scolds Rob he couldn't have gone home the shorter way if he wanted to. I wouldn't have let him. Even though I was uncomfortable the drive was so beautiful it made up for it. I think I like southeastern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin the most out of all the country I have seen so far. Iowa was not pretty.

Nauvoo was the best birthday present. Everyone says there is a good feeling there and they are right. There was a subtle peacefulness that settled on me there. I felt so content. I loved watching Holly and Sam pretend to be pioneers. I loved talking to the cute sister missionary in the school house. She invited us to see the show Sunset on the Mississippi and we loved it.

The temple is beautiful. I went to Nauvoo when I was 14 and then again when I was 19. I sat on the temple plot at night and watched fireflies. It is even better to see the temple sitting there.

Carthage was a great experience. I have been before but it was satisfying to see Rob experience it. Sam was a two year old in all of his glory there. I took a risk and let him go on the tour. He of course threw a fit just when everyone else was contemplating in the last room. I was so embarrassed but then the thought occured to me that if Joseph Smith were in that room he would not be offended by Sam. If President Monson where in that room he would not be offended by Sam; and if the Savior where in that room he would not be offended by Sam. I hope we didn't create feelings of anger for the others in the room but I felt like Heavenly Father was glad we were there.

The whole trip has become my favorite experience of the summer. There were moments of extreme grumpiness from children who had too little sleep but the feelings there and the feelings I took away with me more than made up for any difficulties. If you ever get a chance to visit Nauvoo do it. It will leave you happier than you were before.

Sam's new trick

Sam came running in to my room the other day extremely excited. He had a new trick that I needed to see. I followed him into the front room where this trick was all over the floor.



How could I get upset? He was so proud. I couldn't think of anything to say except good job. So as you can guess this trick has continued and will continue until Sam comes up with something better.

The mystery meat

Holly, Sam and I only have 3 weeks left here in Minnesota. This has been an incredible experience. It has been both fun and challenging. A vacation and hard work. I am looking forward to going home but I am glad we came.

While we have been here Rob and I have tried to see as much as we can. This weekend was our trip to Southern Minnesota. Austin to be exact and the Spam Museum which was worth the hour and a half it took to drive there.

This is the Spam Museum.




The movie we watched right before the museum.



We didn't make it all the way through the movie. There is only so much about spam that is interesting (granted there is a lot interesting about Spam but this movie way over did it).

Then we walked through a history of Hormel and the creation of Spam. After that was the Spam puppet show.





Then more museum until the end where as a team Rob, Holly, and Sam packed 6 cans of spam in 2.5 minutes.





Holly was so inspired that on the drive home she changed the words to "Rainbow Connection" to incorporate Spam. "Why are there so many songs about Spam and what's on the other side." "Someday we'll find it. The Spam connection. The lovers the dreamers and Spam."

If you ever come to Minnesota seriously you need to see the Spam museum.

Good Friends

The past week we had our friends Cameron and Birgitte Ruesch stay with us. It was such a nice change that I am going through withdrawals. I got used to talking to adults all day and the kids got used to constantly playing with friends. It was definitly one of the highlights of the summer.

Our first excursion was to St. Paul. We stopped at a fantastic burger joint and then went to the St. Paul capitol.


This is Sammy and Rachel. Rachel is three months older than Sam.




This is Birgitte playing with all of the kids


Cameron

That night we battled the mosquitos and lit fireworks outside our apartment for the kids to watch.

The next day we piled in our cars and drove to Darwin Minnesota to see the world's largest ball of twine spun by one man.


Holly, Addie and Rachel (we couldn't get Sammy to hold still long enough for a picture)

Facinating isn't it. Rob has been dying to see this one for a while. After the twine we drove to a state park and played in one of the lakes.

















This was my favorite day but there was more fun to come.

Rob had to leave for Chicago Monday afternoon. We all dropped him off at the airport and then went to the Mall of America. Addie went to Build a Bear workshop and Holly spent her birthday money at Friends 2B Made. Then we went to the amusment park in the mall.





The next day we spent part of at a local park and splash pad.





Most of our time was spent just hanging out and playing at home but we had such a good time.

Cameron and Birgitte left yesterday morning and we are all bored. We miss having our friends to talk to and play with.

Looking back.

I was looking at some of our pictures and came across our trip to Disneyland. We had so much fun I think I will post them here. Holly was 4 (almost 5) and Sam was 18 months.




My favorite part of the trip was the princess lunch. Holly was so excited to see all of her friends. Her favorite princess is Sleeping Beauty and has been since she was 2. It was just so cute to see her meet them all.





We had so much fun. I can't wait to go again someday. Maybe when school is over.

My special day

Yesterday Holly informed me that today would be my special day. She said she had it all planned and it was a surprise.

This morning I woke up to Holly showing me how to get my breakfast (she wanted to make it but let me do the honors). Holly laid my makeup and hair brushes out on the bathroom counter so that I "could make myself pretty". Then Rob brought me this list that he discovered



Wake up 5:55

Make food (bagel) 6:55

(the picture) mom look pretty 7:55

Brush teeth 2 times (both Holly and me) 8:55

things for walk 9:55 (She has planned a walk for us. Here is the list of items to bring)



Sense and Sensibility for mom 10:55

Done

Isn't she awesome!