Naperville vacation

Well, I've been home a week now, so I should probably tackle the vacation blog! Jill and I decided to go mental and take a vacation together with the kids to Naperville. My dad was retiring and they will be moving out here this fall, so it was kind of a last hurrah for us. Jill's minivan could fit all 8 of us with just enough room to spare for a few suitcases - but that's it! I had a hip-ache for a few days after coming home from sitting crooked in my seat because there was only a few inches of foot room amidst all the activity and snack bags! We left Tuesday and made it to Little America in Wyoming by lunch time. After a 2 hour lunch break, we decided to try to make our stops as short as possible. However, I don't think we were ever faster than 30 minutes!!! It takes a long time to unload/load 8 people, get everyone through the potty, pull everyone away from the souvenirs and treats, try to pick up a few activities that were all over the floor and get on the road again. We'd only made it through Wyoming by nighttime, so we started looking for a motel. Turns out there was a rodeo in Cheyenne, so all the rooms were either booked up or overpriced. We kept going aways, and then found out the world headquarters of Cabellas was having a sidewalk sale, so all the rooms in Sidney and surrounding areas were booked. By then all the kids were asleep (and QUIET!!!!), so we pressed on! We actually made it all the way through Nebraska by morning! The kids woke up with the sun - around 5:00 am, so it made for a LONG day through Iowa and Illinois! Eden did surprisingly well. We were able to warm up bottles for her in a car bottle warmer and feed it to her by reaching back to her. I was also able to pump along the way and feed the bottle to her without even stopping! I did, however, have to give her 2 baths along the way - both in McDonald's sinks!! Ella, was the most surpising, however! She was SO good - always working away at an activity. Could have been the Dramamine effect, but I still say it's just because she's such a good girl! I took her to buy a special prize later that week. She picked out a little pony set. Emily had a blast being silly with her cousins! She and Scottie really bonded during the vacation. We FINALLY made to Grandma's around 4:00 - surprising us all!! Of course, we had to stop in Aurora - about 15 minutes away - for a last emergency potty stop for someone! We were glad to see Grandma and glad to mess up the house and make some noise so Grandpa would feel right at home when he arrived!!

Grandma and Grandpa sure kept us busy while we were there! We did at least one outing a day - the Children's museum. Grandma bought a membership, so to get her money's worth we went EVERYDAY! Good thing it's a child's paradise!! We also did the band concert, Cosley zoo, garage saling, the mall with the carousal, walks in the neighborhood and woods, Riverwalk, feeding the ducks, paddleboats, ice cream, eating out, running through the sprinklers, swimming at a friends (Sorensons), bowling, ward Pioneer Day activity, movies - Up, Ice Age 3 & Kit Kitridge, and much more!! Their house was on the market, so we got to keep it spic and span during our visit! They had a few showings, but no offers! Grandma also kept the kids busy with her marble jars, making pillows and beanbags together, teaching them to sew, and cleaning out her junk jars so they could make inventions. They also watched the kids for Jill and I a couple of times so we could buy the kids some clothes at bargain prices! The kids also just enjoyed playing in her beautiful backyard. They found frogs, caterpillars, leaves, fireflies, cicadas, and loved running around! The kids were pretty much worn out everyday as was I! We had a hard time sleeping past 6:00 because of the sunlight in our room. But by then we were up and ready and raring to go another day!

My dad had his last day of work while we were there. Everyday he would bring home items from his office and presents from his patients. He was very loved and his patients would give him some very sentimental items. They honored him with a retirement tea that mom was able to attend. On his last day, we presented him with a retirement outfit - a visor, Hawaiian shirt and shorts! Right!!

It was fun to visit Naperville 1st ward twice while we were there. There's nothing like the 1st ward. I can't believe how many people I still know there. Everyone was very nice to us and it felt like coming home. The choir I remember has changed - despite the fact that mom and dad have now joined!! It was nice to hear dad practicing his piano and vocal skills several times during our stay!

Eden popped her first tooth while we were there. It was after one difficult evening, but luckily only one! She popped another one after we got home and she looks just adorable! (However, I've had my first nursing biting experiences - oh man!)

Finally we'd overstayed our welcome, so we loaded up again and headed out! Apparently we hadn't had enough mania, because we decided to visit Carthage and Nauvoo on our way home! We made it to Carthage on the first day and went on the tour. Luckily we were the only ones in the group since our kids were a bit wild from being cooped up in the car for several hours! We stayed the night in Iowa and visited Nauvoo the next day. We were able to do the traditional family friendly tours at Nauvoo. We started out at the Visitor's Center and then went on the horse and wagon tour through Nauvoo. Eden took that opportunity to explode all over herself and my pants. Luckily I had my overnight bag pretty assessable. The kids loved the Pioneer village area where they can dress up like pioneers and play in the little log house and school and play pioneer games. They also like the Family area where they learned how to make rope, candles, bread, thread, and clay pots. We watched a play called, "Anna Amanda." It was geared towards children and they did a great job! Emily even got to go on stage at the end and join in the finale! The kids were getting tired by the time we got to our last two stops, so I made them sit them out with me. I'd had enough cranky kids and they didn't deserve to ruin it for the other visitors! We headed out of town after that to get dinner and hit the road! We only made it a couple of hours before we need to stop for the night. It's definitely harder traveling home. The kids were much crankier and harder to entertain. The next night we decided to drive all night - we were ready to be home and wanted some nighttime peace and quiet!! The kids didn't sleep as well this time and we had to settle them down a few times. Ella woke up sick and poor Jill had to take care of her!

Finally we got to Utah County by around 7:00. Unfortunately I missed the I15 exit, so we had to wander through SLC a bit. I called Steve and told him to wait for us. We were VERY excited to get home! Steve wasn't dressed for work, so I asked him if it was casual Friday (my mental calendar was way off!). He said there was no way he could go to work when his family had just gotten home and had called in sick!! I was very happy for that! The house was nice and clean (for about 10 minutes) and Steve had left a treat for all of us on our beds. The girls got chocolate, the baby got a teether, and I got a welcome home sign and our engagement and wedding albums were open like he'd been perusing them! He's also hung a bunch of wedding photos in our room - I think he missed me!!

Steve let me have a nap and I ran out to get some groceries. It was sure nice to have him help me that day! I feel like I'm still catching up on my sleep. Especially after what Ella told me the other day. She asked a question that I thought was so intellectual - she said, "Why are there cracks on the brain?" I thought, wow - she's really thinking deep, until she corrected herself. "I mean, why are there cracks on your eyes?" Humph. In a few years I'll tell you why I have wrinkles and gray hairs and all the answers will be the same!!

I'm still trying to get everything put away while trying to keep up with the day to day messes. E&E have enjoyed playing in their playroom again. I think they missed their toys! I'm enjoying putting Eden to bed in her crib and being babyless (for at least part of the night.) Steve's enjoying all the noise and crankiness - at least, I assume he is!

Here are a "few" pictures! Enjoy! (I was out of pictures by the time we got to Nauvoo - so I'll have to get those from Jill and post them later!)

Here's Eden in her king-sized portacrib. She was so tired the first day she fell asleep on her own and slept through the night!
The turquoise family - the matching Tinkerbelle PJs from Grandma.
Emily's block structure at the Children's museum.
Ella's OCD magnet display.
Sleeping with her fireflies!
Bathtime in the sink!
Cat in the Hat statue at the library.
Eden was a trooper in her carseat so long!
Throwing bread to the ducks at the Riverwalk.
Paddleboats.
Bad mama giving ice cream to Eden!
Best buds! (Emily's asked me a couple of time why cousins can't get married!)
Eden loved her grandpa! This was his first time he's met her! She especially liked his easy to grab neck!
Enjoying the backyard!
Ogdon 6 theater!
Loving their Micky Mouse pancakes at Quincey's.

New grandma dresses!


We borrowed this walker from Sis. Duffield and Eden learned how to get all around the nice wood floor!
Ella's queen chair!
Mall carousel.

Bowling!



Eden holding her own baba. :(
Saying goodbye to the turquoise triplets!

Joseph and Hyrum Smith statue at Carthage.
Joseph Smith statue at Nauvoo Visitor's Center.
More Nauvoo to come....