Our trip to Omaha, Nebraska, Nauvoo, and Missouri

In front of Omaha, Nebraska Temple

In front of Nauvoo, Illinois Temple


In the rain in Nauvoo, Illinois

Our creative play pen. Daddy was putting car seats in the car. I was trying to arrange luggage.

We decided to go and visit my sister in law Steph. We had so much fun. We also decided to make a quick trip to Nauvoo, Carthage, and Independence while we were over that way. This was the first time we have flown with the girls. They did pretty well. I am such a genius, not planned of course, we had a lay over in Denver, Co. all but 1 of our flights were during the girls nap times. The flight were about 1.5 hrs a piece and the girls generally sleep about 1 hr twice a day. A little benadryl first thing in the morning on our first flight helped too. I never thought we would make it on this trip. I had gotten off work early on Friday and we still didn't get out of town until after 5. Alyssa, (my minnie me, attitude and all) screamed, blood curdling, for 4 hours straight. Even after being hoarse and seeming to almost settle down she would start up again louder than the last time. I tried to get my mom to let me ship her back via ups; she said no. When we finally made it in Omaha we were so excited to try out the gps. We found it quite helpful until we were headed 7 hrs away on a dirt road almost hitting a deer, and would have gotten stuck in a mud hole in the middle of night somewhere past Des Moines, IA. We haven't quite learned our traveling do and don'ts in life so we decided to hit Nauvoo, Carthage, and Independence in 2 days. We left on Tuesday night and got back to Omaha Thursday evening. We did find it absolutely gorgeous ( rain storms and all ). Abigail and Alyssa became quite the duo, they would chase the cat and then take turns as to who was going to be frightened of the dog each day. Alyssa was quite the escape artist as well. We had baby gates up all over the house for the dog and the babies. While the ladies were out shopping Nate and Ethan (our nephew) were watching the girls and Alyssa would ever so slyly move the gate just enough to sneak out. We decided to let the girls sleep on the floor on a blanket instead of lugging around a play pen everywhere. We were very pleasantly woken up each morning with them hitting the air bed to wake us up. Abigail has mastered walking and is now trying to run. Alyssa has finally started to walk, but only if she can hold onto your finger. We were quite spoiled by Steph, she made us Thanksgiving Dinner, showed me how to make bread, and showed us the best cookie recipes. Nauvoo had such a calm and peaceful feeling, we were sad to have to go home, but glad we got to see family.

Abigail is almost walking

For about the last week Abigail has been holding onto everything in site and walking. She would only crawl if she had to. The other day she was standing in the middle of the room and took about 4-5 steps towards her uncle Dave. We were so excited we started clapping while she got the biggest grin on her face. We tried to get her to continue walking, but she only does is about 1 time a night and then she finds it funny to face plant into whatever is in front of her. Hopefully she'll catch on quick. Alyssa has no interest in even standing up, unless she wants food from your plate, so she will take a bit longer it seems.

Our first tooth....times 2

Abigail cut her first tooth about 2 weeks ago. Alyssa had all the symptoms of cutting a tooth, but never did. We were so involved with Alyssa we hadn't noticed Abigail's tooth, until Sunday at church when she bit me. I was so excited that we told everyone around us. Then, yesterday Alyssa chomped down on my finger as well. We've been checking everyday wondering when the fits would be over. Finally, she had her own tooth as well. Abigail cut her bottom right and Alyssa's was the bottom left. They are growing up so fast. As soon as we can get them to hold still long enough to get a decent picture we'll post one.

Shannon goes back to school

Well, I decided it was time to go back to school. So I am taking 1 math class at ISU. I like to do things slowly. While I've been enjoying math, Nate has been cleaning up our yard. We had our 60 ft plus pine tree taken down this year and he has ripped out the ancient lilac bush from the corner of the fence. This week we are going to tackle the perimeter of the fence. We are going to lay new dirt, rocks and try and grow grass with 2 dogs, 2 kids, and one crazy schedule.

A Precious Moment...

The girls are getting so fast at crawling that they follow me around like little puppies. After bathes one night I stopped in to get pj's for them, them stopped in the kitchen to make bottles, and was headed for the front room for our nighttime routine. The girls followed me. As soon as they saw the bottles Alyssa started crying. I told them to come here and finished walking to the living room. Well, Alyssa had a bit of a tantrum and started burying her head in the carpet giving herself a carpet burn on her forehead. Abigail just started crawling towards me. When Alyssa started whaling, Abigail stopped crawling, sat up, looked back at her sister and went to go get her. She waited until Alyssa started crawling, (with her head still to the floor) and when Alyssa caught up to her Abigail would go forward a little bit farther. She would wait each time until her sister caught up before moving on. It was the cutest sisterly moment it made me laugh.
Nate and I enjoy picking the girls up from the daycare each day. They are always so happy to see us. The other morning I waved goodbye and Alyssa had the funniest look on her face. She watched me all the way out the door with the longing for you look. What a beautiful blessing children are. We can't wait for the next set.