Trip to Navoo for the pagent

While looking at the weekly newsletter from Church we realized that we only had 2 more weeks to get to the Navoo Pageant. Now that we are so close we couldn't pass up the opportunity to go, so we quickly made hotel reservations and Chris picked us up on Friday night and we were off like a bunch of turtles. It took us 2 hours to make it 60 miles. Of course we had to stop and eat, and potty breaks. So we determined that we had to move it along a little faster after that. Needless to say we did arrive in Illinois before midnight. We settled in for the night and early the next morning we got up, had a yummy breakfast and headed to the pool!

Later that morning we headed to Navoo. The first place we stopped was a place where the kids could dress up and do pioneer activities. Tori was into it for about 4 minutes, I was lucky enough to catch her in action.

On the other hand, Abby was all about the dress up and even changed clothes about 3 times during the time we were there. We pulled out lunch while we were there and enjoyed that in between chores.

Tori is all about moving things around so she started with moving wood chips from outside to a bucket inside a little home...

Then she moved onto a larger bucket outside...

Then she enlisted her sister and a new friend with he same love of transferring wood chips...
After that hard work, we went into town to check out all that they had to offer, Abby of course decided to take some pictures, not so bad here of her sister...

The next one didn't go so well, or maybe Dad is too tall??
Next it was on for frozen custard by the nice ladies in the shop...

Here is a closer look at the yummy treat...

After that we went down to the brick yard, because no visit to Navoo is complete without your own brick! Tori sporting her brick here...

Abby of course needed to climb up on the bricks to show off her brick!

...and of course the family picture!

Then we had the oxen take us on a short ride, wow those pioneer's had a rough time of it. It was very slow and very bumpy

We took a drive so that some kids could take a little nap and then came back for the pre-pageant activities. Abby started by learning to do an old Scottish dance...

then Tori joined in, they both did very well, it must be their fathers genes!

Finally it was time for the pageant, Tori was really excited, Abby not so much, she kept asking me, is it over yet...how much longer...
It was really a great show. I ran into a family that was down here for 2 weeks doing the pageant, and they said that the main cast did it for the whole time, but everyone else came for 2 weeks and participated. There were babies, young kids and of course adults. If you didn't know that they were a moving part, you would never know.

At the very end, it was so cool, they sang their last song and the temple lit up behind them. There are about 300 cast members in all and quit the production.

By the end, Abby had perked up a bit and wasn't crying any longer.

The next day we drove back home, tired, spent, but happy. What a fun little family get away! We plan on doing this again next year!

Abby's first field trip with her new preschool!

Abby had her first field trip with her new friends today and where did they go....the zoo of course! She had a blast and playing with some of the exhibits...
Here are all the kids that were in her group!

Dad was able to go...at first I told her that Dad was going and she asked if he could please be in a different group! She did change her mind once the big day came!

And what field trip is complete without a little funny face?

...and the best part about being a teacher...you can act like one of the kids and no one looks at you funny! Miss Pascale is one of her favorite teachers and she was excited she was in her group!

Trouble makers

As of late, the girls seem to find trouble and of course they are always dressed the part. Here is what I caught them doing tonight, after it was quiet a little too long!

Yes Abby and Tori are both wearing a cocktail dresses, their new favorite play clothes! They are setting up for a cupcake party...lucky us!

First day at new day care

Today was the first day of the new day care and preschool for the girls. Chris brought them down later then they would have had to be there for me to take them so I walked down to take them in. Tori of course wore her leotard with butterfly wins, perfect for any occasion and Abby had on her Huskers princess shirt, so she could blend in with the locals I am sure.
Both the girls were a little nervous about their new teachers and classrooms so we stayed with each for a couple of minutes to help them settle in. Tori's teacher sent me a not at work a couple of hours later telling me that Tori is having a great time! She seems to be getting along with the other kids really well. She also is following directions and jumping right into the flow of things!

Abby's teacher called me early afternoon, which by the way is never good, and told me Abby had taken a spill out on the playground and had cut her hip and arm, ouch!! She said Abby had been really brave and it was all bandaged up. I talked to her for a couple of minutes and she was okay and even wanted to tell me about the snack they had.

Personally it was a hard day for me, I felt nervous for them in their new settings and wanted and hoped they felt okay in their new daycare/preschool. Lots of changes happening in such a short period of time for them and I am sure they are adjusting much better then mom!

Happy 4th!!

For the 4th we went to Grandpa's and Grandpa's for another hurrah before we leave town. Tori was very content to go out and play in the backyard, by herself.

Aubree made a yummy desert which was very patriotic which Rachel and Abby had to pose with!

I had thought we were going to go see fireworks, but we decided to do some of our own instead.

I am sure that we have deprived our children along the way, because they have never seen fireworks. so this was such an adventure for them. The girls weren't sure what to think of this thing called a sparkler.

Once they warmed up to, they thought it was too much fun!

They thought the small fireworks were grand so much that they clapped all the way through the display. Of course someone found some older sparklers that were very big, and Abby of course thought she would jump right in with holding one.
You gotta love the amount of smoke that is created, I am sure that the "global warming" people hate the 4th because of all the stuff put in the air. Don't think that will stop me though!
Chris even showed off his patriotic sprint!
Overall it was a very fun afternoon/evening and we all left tired.

Last day at Little People's Preschool

Today was the last day with so many friends, and memories from the past several years. Tori hasn't know anywhere else her time from 3 months and Abby has been there for over 3 years and loved every minute of her time.

Every morning the girls would race up the steps and as of late ring the doorbell and hide, which Ula was also happy to play along with. The girls have both learned and loved so much during their time there. I know they both will miss all their friends as well as Trish, Ula and their kids.

At the new day care they have to wear shoes all day so that will be a change as they are used to taking off their shoes as they enter the house each morning.

Trip to visit Mom in Omaha

This was Tori's first plane ride and the girls loved the fact that they could each watch TV too. It started off a bit bumpy with a 2 hour delay in Denver and then trying to put 2 kids, 2 car seats, 1 double stoller, 4 carry one's, 4 back packs and 2 kids and 2 very tired parents, but ended well with safe arrival late, but safe. It was 1:30AM by the time we rolled into the appartment and everyone was tired!!
This was the girls, happy to finally be on the plane!

It was really hot and humid while they were here. We did get out a lot though. One night we took a walk over the bridge. The best part is that half the family can be in Iowa and the other half in Nebraska all at the same time. Fun huh?

When we got back to Nebraska, the girls couldn't resist the fountains, so what could we do but let them run and play? They seemed to have fun, here are a couple of pictures...
Tori had no fear of the sprays!

Being that we will live here soon, it made sense to get a membership to the Zoo! Chris and the girls went one day while I had to work, too sad for me, but good for them. The Zoo is so big that they only saw a very small amount, good, then I can go next time and enjoy some of the new.

Did I mention it was hot and humid while they were here? Thankfully it won't always be like that!