Spring Break

A few months ago my mom called me and told me she and my dad were wanting to come visit us in April. I had no idea they were even thinking about coming, so we were all thrilled. And then we waited (at times rather impatiently - especially Emma) for spring break to get here. Finally it arrived, as did my parents.  Emma was just a ball of excitement as we waited at the airport. I don't think she stopped smiling over the next 8 days. Until they left that is. Then it was all tears. BUT before the tears came we had some good times.

Easter sort of slipped in there amidst all the other activities. Knowing this would likely happen, we made sure to talk a lot about Easter and the Savior in the weeks leading up to it, including watching some fabulous church videos. So when Easter actually came we didn't worry too much about sliding right past the real meaning and having the candy be more of the focus. Usually we don't let that happen, but since we were heading out of town right after breakfast that day, I didn't stress too much about it.   Emma woke up to find her basket overflowing with goodies. I admit that I was super ready this year to not need to do the whole Easter bunny thing. Of course, Emma still believes so we went ahead and did it again, but I'm ready to be done with it. Just saying. I'd still get her treats of course, but the secrecy part sometimes seems like such a pain. But as I was telling Eric, I don't want to tell her yet, because then it stands to reason that she'll also figure out Santa. And I don't know if I'm ready for that yet. I mean, part of me is. Part of me would love that. But I love the magic of Christmas that comes along with Santa so much that I'd be sad for it to be gone. And since I don't have more kids who would continue to believe for years to come, it's all or nothing with Emma. So I'm torn. It'll end when it ends though (either her figuring it out, hearing about it at school, or me finally telling her because she's getting too old), so I'll deal with it at that time. Anyway, back to Easter morning.  After she perused her basket, we also gave her a fishing pole. We wanted credit for that one, not the Eater bunny. She was ecstatic! She loves fishing with Eric and can't wait to go again, especially since she'll have her own pole this year. Then she did an egg hunt. The egg hunt has always been from us, so no worries about secrets there. We just sent her to her room so we could set it up. Now I want chocolate from thinking about her candy...

We had a big breakfast with fruit, muffins, breakfast casserole, etc, and then headed out the door with our luggage. My parents thought it would be fun to go down to Nauvoo and Springfield while they were here. My family went years ago right before my mission, so they had both been before to both places, but the Nauvoo temple hadn't been completed yet. Construction had only just begun.  My dad was singing with the Tabernacle Choir when they went to Nauvoo and were inside the temple singing during it's dedication, so he had already seen the completed temple, and Eric, Emma and I took this same trip a couple years ago, so it was just my mom who hadn't seen the completed temple. I was excited for her to see it.

Emma was all set in the car. She was such a good traveler.
That's what video games, iPods and movies will do for you I guess.  =)

Emma was taking her own pictures like crazy on this trip. I think I enjoyed watching her do that more than anything else.  She was so cute planning out her pictures, sometimes crouching low to get just the right shot.

Enjoying the lovely evening light while skipping rocks along the banks of the Mississippi River

We stayed in a cabin this time just like we did on our last trip, and I think once again it was Emma's favorite part of the trip.  Before my parents got to town, any time we'd mention going to Nauvoo, Emma would promptly ask if we were staying in a cabin again, as if her asking was the only requirement to making it a reality.

My favorite part about the cabin. This porch swing. Eric and I spent the evening just
sitting out on the porch, looking at the stars, listening to the quiet, and enjoying the
wonderful temperatures. Love talking evenings away like that.

The three of us stayed in a huge room upstairs that could have slept 8. Emma chose the top bunk in a bunk bed and thought it was crazy that she could touch the ceiling.

We might have been the first people ever to play Mah Jongg in Nauvoo.
Being Emma's latest obsession, we had to bring it to play with my parents.

Our full day in Nauvoo was sort of rainy, but wasn't terrible.  Nothing like a little rain to keep the crowds away.  Oh, it being the day after Easter and a Monday didn't hurt either.  We practically had the place to ourselves!

Making some rope. You can never have too much rope.

The next day we went to Carthage and then to New Salem to see some Lincoln stuff. We ended that day in Springfield touring the Lincoln home and seeing his tomb. The next day after finishing up with museums etc, we came home.

The morning light on the jail was just beautiful. It seemed to add
such a amazing feeling to an already amazing place.

Emma's first selfie. Heaven help me - it's starting.

In New Salem Emma was trying to capture some pictures of wildlife.  Or maybe it was flowers?
Doesn't matter, she was super cute while doing it and I loved watching her. 

In the days after our trip we went to a great car museum which my parents loved. There were tons of classic cars and several very old ones. We've been there before, and Emma just loves it. I admit, I love that Emma loves cars. We also took my parents to see a Brewers game while they were in town. They won, so that made it even better!

Don't you just love it? I want one. But I'll take it in blue please.

I love having my parents here visiting, and like Emma am so sad when they leave. We love living here, but it is hard being away from my family. We miss them all like crazy all the time. Thanks so much for visiting Mom and Dad! We had so much fun with you!