Grandma and Grandpa Go Home.

This is one last picture of the girls and I with my parents. It was so much fun to have them come visit. It was really hard to see them go this morning. Nadya kept asking if they could move here so that we could see them more. Thanks mom and dad for visiting us. It was a lot of fun.

While my mom was here, she helped me start sewing. This was my first project. It's a plastic grocery bag holder. It will come in handy for all of the bags after shopping. I think it turned out pretty well for my first project. I really would like to start sewing more seriously. It's fun and makes me feel like I have accomplished something. Thanks mom for you help.

Fall

Sorry about all of the collage pictures. I have so many of them that it's easier to put them on like this.
Anyway, this is why I love it here. It is so gorgeous where we are and the colors are beautiful this time of year. We live 10 minutes away from a lake and it is beautiful. We took my parents up there for family night to let them see the scenery. They fell in love with it here. The girls loved throwing rocks in the lake. Sam didn't pay attention to where the water was so her pants were soaked at the bottom. It was fun to go there.

Pumpkin Patch

Me and my mom got to go to the pumpkin patch with Nadya and her preschool this last Monday. It had been postponed twice because of weather, but I'm glad it was because my mom got to come with us. She was awesome with Sam and I loved having her with me. It was such a cute little place to go. They had tons of activities for the kids and it was a beautiful day. Nadya really enjoyed jumping off of the hay and I think she enjoyed being pulled by the tractor. Sam enjoyed the little car that my mom pushed her in. She wouldn't get out of it until it was pretty close to time to leave. I'm glad I was able to go with Nadya's school. They do a lot of fun things for the kids.

Nauvoo

After Carthage, we drove to Nauvoo. It was such a pretty drive. We drove up the side of the Mississippi and wow is all I can say. The river is huge and beautiful. It was such a pretty drive. When we got to Nauvoo, I was surprised to see how big Nauvoo was. I thought that all of the church history site would be close together but it was spread out quite a ways. It was neat to see all of the houses and stores. I loved that they showed you how things were done during that time period. Nadya had fun watching the rope making demonstration and both of the girls loved getting a cookie.
I loved seeing the temple there. It is beautiful and the view of the Mississippi is amazing. I can't wait to be able to go and do a session in the temple. It was a fun little trip with the family and I'm glad my parents were with us.

Carthage Jail

While my parents were visiting with us, we took them up to see Carthage Jail and Nauvoo. It was a fun little trip and the girls were great. It was neat to see Carthage and have the tour of the jail. I'm amazed at where the prophet spent his last few days. I'm grateful to Joseph Smith for the life he lived and the gospel he helped restore. It was nice to be there with my parents and have this experience with them. I loved the pictures we were able to get there and I can't wait to be able to go back.

They Made It!

This last week, my mom and dad came out to visit us in Kirksville. All of us were so excited to have them come and see our new home. Aside from the fact that it has been 19 months since we have seen them in person. It was so fun to have them come. The girls new exactly who they were when they knocked on the door and jumped right into their arms. Thanks to the computer and skype, Samantha new grandma and grandpa and warmed to them quickly. It was so much fun.

Then 2nd night that they were here, we went to the Still-a-bration and Earl's school. It is basically his schools homecoming without a football game to go to. We had dinner there, they had games for the girls, and a dance floor in the middle of the gym. The girls loved dancing, especially Samantha. It was fun to see the girls with grandma and grandpa. Nadya had more fun with the coloring book and crayons that they gave her than the dancing though. We also got to go outside and roast marshmellows and make smores. It was a fun night with the family.

Cheetos

So I was outside with the girls talking to our neighbor yesterday when Nadya comes up to me holding a bug that looked like a ladybug. However, this bug was orange with black spots. Nadya then proceeds to tell me, "Mom, ladybugs make cheetos." So I said, "oh really, how is that?" She then says "well, it's the same color as a cheeto and it has liquid in it when I squish."

Oh how I love the thought process of a four year old. It's so much fun to get their ideas of things. Nadya is so smart and loves to figure everything out for herself.

Just an Update

So it's been a few weeks, and I have had these pictures to put up. Everything is pretty boring with us right now. Earl is busy with school and I try and keep busy with the girls. Nadya loves preschool riding the bus. She loves making new friends and is always wanting to do something.

Samantha is starting to talk like crazy. Her vocabulary is shooting up. She loves saying Nadya and when you ask her what her name is she replies Nadya. She loves to be around Nadya and can't wait for her to get home from school. They really do have a lot of fun together.

Earl and I are playing basketball together on an intramurals team. I can't believe how out of shape I am. It is fun to have some time with him. We are also team teaching primary together. I've got to get all the time with him that I can. He is doing well in school and for the most part enjoying being back.

That's about it for us. We really do like it here and there is a lot keeping us all busy.

Sam wanting to crawl through the tunnel with me.

Sam dancing during Nadya's dance class. She loves doing it with all the other kids.

Nadya playing before dance class.

Sam playing on Pumba.

The girls together. It was a cheap thrill but they loved it.