A Trip Full of Firsts

My parents and sister left yesterday morning and it was hard to see them go. It is so fun to have family around. Here are some of the "firsts" that occurred while they were here:

 

My first trip to Carthage. For some reason in my mind the jail sat in the middle of nowhere. I never imagined it being in a town... It was a very humbling and testimony strengthening trip. Joseph Smith's faith and trust in the Lord's plan came to hold a new significance for me. Fun Fact: I also found out that the jail at one point was owned by some Brownings who were not members, but were willing to give tours to all the members who did stop by. They ended up selling it to the church for it's original auction price when the jail was sold. 

 Enjoying the pre-pageant activities. Tate discovered scissors and stopped back to use them at least 4 times.

 Tate loved braiding for all of 20 seconds but wanted to wear his braid just like the little girls close by. He was even asked, "How ya doing princess?" by an elderly missionary... I thought the overalls and the shiner were screaming all boy but Tate was clueless.

 The discovery of the best drink holder ever.

 Learning to saw..

Putting Tate's hops to work! We had so much fun running around to all of the games set up. It was fun to see Tate old enough to enjoy the festivities. The pageant was amazing too. We watched the play and the lightning show around us for an hour before they had a brief intermission in which we all huddled in the tents around to enjoy a down pour. I guess on the Doppler radar they watch there was lightning surrounding Nauvoo, but not any within a 5 mile radius. Pretty amazing if you ask me. 

 Tate's first carriage ride. The only reason he looked at the camera is because I told him I heard a train.. Priceless but cruel.

 Tate's first experience with hay. He was in love with the stuff all up and down the side of the quaint little road on which we took our walk. He would drop it at my feet and I would pretend to be a horsy and eat it. I found it entertaining for 10 minutes; he could have played for hours. Thank goodness for soothing bath times that can recalibrate unstable tired children when their will is squashed by mommies. P.S. The condo tub was AWESOME!! I look forward to not squishing my insides and manipulating my body around a sliding shower/tub door like the one in the house I now live in.

 My mom's first attempt at Mario Cart. I am proud of here for sticking with it for a couple races despite her growing level of frustration. She did improve.

 Ian 's first encounter with a watermelon. He loved it. But he does love to eat everything. All day long. He will be as big as Tate in no time. Josh was teasing that soon we will be buying Ian clothes to hand down to Tate with the rate and quantity that he eats. Maybe there is an equation for that...

 Tate's job was throwing away the rind. He had a system though and not a piece was thrown away before he gave it a courtesy lick.

 He thought is was a big ball.

 We went to our first movie as a family. We saw How to Train Your Dragon 2. It was a lot of fun! It was actually my first movie in Iowa too. I didn't realize that both my kiddos were free. I think there was a total of maybe 12 people in the theater so it was just right for my boys first experience. I think we will probably try again on the new planes movie next month when the crowds are gone. I think that movie will hold more impressive and attention holding content in the eyes of Tate. 

 He was really good until the popcorn was gone... 

Now this is huge, my non sleeping child fell asleep on Jalaire's lap while she read him stories... This NEVER happens. It could help that he chose his dictionary for her to read to him but still... I decided I have a non calming spirit within me because my kids sleep so well on and for everyone but me.  Or it could be we are just so much more exciting when we have visitors.