Independence, Liberty Jail

After Colorado, we decided to stop and stay in Kansas City, well actually Independence. We decided to visit the Independence Visitor Center and Liberty Jail. They are quite close.

The Independence Visitor Center is HUGE! It has two full levels of different and wonderful exhibits. Obviously, not all the exhibits are super captivating for a 3 and 5 year old that have been stuck in a car for so many hours, but they have really nice Sister Missionaries that know the right things to show you in the right amount of time! My favorite exhibit was a little pioneer cabin that was all set up and then the windows did a little presentation. Even the boys sat still for this one :) The boys' favorite exhibit was this one below. It was a mini cabin area, where they could pretend to be pioneers. They pretended to cook, eat, clean up dinner at the well, play pioneer children games, and even drive a wagon. They loved it!

We then headed over to Liberty Jail, before starting the final leg of our month long adventure. Damond really loved the presentation given at Liberty Jail. It also was captivating enough to keep my boys quiet :D I would recommend both :)

We were really glad that we decided to incorporate this into our itinerary. I was a little nervous with the boys, but Damond and I both feel strongly that we should continue to see as many church history sights while we are out here.

This movie was too hilarious! Can you tell how much fun Thomas is having? He had the same thing done to him by his Grandpa and Uncle Diego. What a rascal!

Hockey and Princess Clothes

Oh, I miss these kids! Look at the fun they have when they are together... hockey and princess clothes! Can't get any better than that! :)

On the way home from our trip, we decided to stop by and see the Ereckson's at their new home. Unfortunately, it was much too short!!!! As you can tell, the kids picked up right where they had left off a couple of months ago, but with more room. It was so nice to see that this wonderful family is right where they should be (although, I really think they should still be by me!)

As I was taking this picture, Damond told Thomas that he would one day regret it :)

and the summer flew by...

I can't believe that summer has come and gone! We are now back into school full swing, except now we have two in school :D

Damond started MSII. (his second year of med school). He come home from the first day, saying he was soooo glad that he wasn't a first year. He glimpsed into the cadaver lab and was so happy that Anatomy was over! People ask if second year is easier/better and I just say, "it doesn't really seem easier, plus they have the Boards looming in front of them, but we both know what to expect and what we have to do to complete another year. He's back to studying all day, everyday, except for Sunday and Mon. Evening. We definitely cherish that time. Thomas has had a bit of a hard time not having Dad around anymore. They were lucky to have a summer full of Dad time, but now they struggle to understand why dad has to study so much :( It's just something we'll ALL need time to adjust to.

As for me, it has been a little strange becoming the "school mom". It's a mixture of nice and weird to only have one child for six hours. But I feel like, ever since we got back I have been going a million miles an hour. I am totally in the nesting stage and have a tons of projects I am trying to get done before the baby comes. (cleaning/organizing rooms, closets, ect. starting and finishing Alex's baby book, working on a FHE Music Kit, organizing and scanning pictures) and those are just side projects! I continue to feel yucky and uncomfortable :( I want my due date to be yesterday, but at the same time I am trying to enjoy these last few months with just my TWO sweet rascals.

And then there is blogging! One of my favorite books, is These is My Words. It's written like a journal and towards the end, she writes maybe once a year. I would get so mad that she wouldn't write more than that, but as a pioneer woman I am sure that she has way more stuff to do than I can imagine. but I think it is so fun to go back and read, see what was posted before its forgotten. If only I could be better.... :)

Now, this is what I see and love to see on a daily basis... cars all over my living room, my two boys happily (sometimes, not so happily) playing with their cars and each other, and my awesome eternal companion playing with said boys, thereby making their day! :D

LIFE IS GOOD!