Longest Post EVER!!!

So, this is the world's longest post for me. There has been a lot going on, just not a lot of desire to spend the hours posting so I am just going to do it all at once. Here we go!!

My Sweet boy turned 5!! With a crazy superhero birthday party with 12 little boys, yes 12. It was a blast and very chaotic. Braden was in heaven as spider man, of course.


Had to have a Spidey bday cake. After only 2 hours and sore wrists, Braden was very happy with his cake. I am a slow decorator!

My little princess turned 3. She wanted a princess carriage for her cake. Anything pink, with princesses, or sparkles are her fav lately. She got her first big dollhouse and some awesome gifts from friends and family. What a loved little girl!

We went to Chicago for a CME (conference for Clint). We had a blast. The city was a ton of fun, the kids loved the giant bean, as you can see them holding it here!!

While in Chicago, we visited the Zoo. With Braden in the family, we couldn't have missed it. The Lincoln Zoo is free, amazing eh? The exhibits were great, but chilly. Chicago is still a bit cold this time of year.

The kids loved playing in the pool at our super posh hotel downtown. They can hardly wait for summer. Braden was swimming off all by himself. What a big boy!

Here are the king and queen with their room service. Pancakes, fruit, juice, milk, french toast. What a life!

After Chicago, we took a little family vacation to Nauvoo. Such an amazing place to visit. The temple was absolutely gorgeous. Clint was in heaven, of course. All of the historical sites and buildings. He has already contacted the center for history in Nauvoo 3 times with family names. They are going to know him by voice pretty soon.

The temple at night is very beautiful.

This is the monument they have across the street from the temple. It depicts Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith on their final trip from Nauvoo as they left the city for Carthage. Historic Nauvoo is behind Clint up to the river.

This was taken as the Old Nauvoo cemetery. We have family on both sides that were buried here. There are very few gravestones, of course, but a very cool monument and a listing of all the known names of those buried here during those early church days in Nauvoo.

Here we are in front of the Mansion house, Joseph and Emma Smith's home for the last few years while Joseph was alive. The Community of Christ has taken great care of the home and it was a very interesting tour.

Here we are by the oxen and wagon ride. The kids, Braden especially loved the oxen. They are such big animals, yet very gentle. Such a fun place!

After Nauvoo, we drove down to Carthage, where Joseph and Hyrum were martyred. It was very neat to visit as an adult, with a better understanding of who these amazing men really were.

After Nauvoo and Carthage, we headed south to St. Louis to visit some family. We both have cousins in the city and it was so nice to see family again. The kids instantly bonded with all their cousins.

We had an Easter Egg hunt with Doug and Molly's family and their group of friends. The kids really enjoyed it. So kind of the Larsen's to include us!

The kids had a great time in the play zone/kids discovery room at the St. Louis Zoo. It was a bit rainy while we were there, but the zoo had a lot to do inside as well. Natalie tried on every single costume, what a pose!

Here we are with Doug and Molly's kids in the butterfly house. Their kids were so good to ours, Natalie really took to their oldest girl, Anna. She still misses her and ask for her. St. Louis was such a beautiful city. We really enjoyed our little vacation. Thanks to our cousins Doug, Molly, Jason and September for opening their homes to us. We really enjoyed seeing you all!!!

So, I had to post this. I took this video during our lovely winter here in South Bend. Can I just say that I will be taking a vacation SOUTH next feb. You will understand after seeing this video.