The Drive

So in driving across the country to move, we decided to make a few stops along the way for fun (and to keep our sanity). Plus we figured this would be our best opportunity to see some of these places. The boys didn't do too badly with so much driving, and we managed to find our way most of the time. Of course like any trip there were ups and downs to all of it, and by the end I just wanted to keep driving and get "home." I am glad that we did keep to making all of our stops though (almost skipped the last one).

In making this trip I learned a few things: 1st, there are a ton of back road "highways." When I picture the back roads of America I don't tend to think of them as highway or freeways, but we drove a bunch of them. And they still looked like what you would picture a back road to be. While Nebraska was a nice change from Wyoming, it was still pretty boring. Getting into Iowa was very pretty, and we saw a lot of this...

And I started to wonder if we grow anything but corn in this country. I also found that when things aren't so dry there's always a morning  mist that acts like haze and pollution. (annoying for taking pictures).

The second thing I learned was that I have no desire at all to ever be in Illinois again. I am glad that we got to see Nauvoo and Carthage (the first stops of our trip) but there was a strong, uncomfortable feel to Illinois. It actually got stronger the closer to Carthage we got, and began to fade again the farther we got from it. It was at its peak in Carthage, though when we finally found the jail and pulled into the parking lot for it the awful feeling ceased at the gates. (The land and parking lot for the jail is owned and operated by the LDS Church) It seems weird that on the spot that the violence and mob combined was the one spot I felt best in the whole state.

The Dungeon Cell in Carthage Jail

Window that Joseph Smith fell through

I was surprised at how well we were able to adjust to each timezone as we drove. I think between changing zones in the middle of the day and changing the clock while driving combined with being tired from so much driving helped us be tired enough to sleep easily each night. We made an unscheduled stop on our trip at Kirtland (we got a bit ahead on driving and saw that it was already on our way). After Illinois I wasn't sure what kind of feeling to expect. There was also much violence and hatred in this area back then, but there was nothing of what we felt in Illinois. And it was fun to learn more about our Church's history. Our tour through the LDS owned/operated area lasted longer than we thought it would and so we weren't able to tour through the temple (owned and operated by the Community of Christ).

Our last stop was Niagara Falls (same day as Kirtland). It was a lot of fun to see, but very crowded. My advice to others would be to park farther away for cheaper and to take your passport with you. The falls are largely on the American side, which means seeing it from the American side you stand beside or behind them. Not so great for looking at them. But you could see how well you would be able to see them from the Canadian side (being pretty much right across from the falls). It was fun though to realize that the land and buildings across from us and in the background of the pictures was a whole other country. So close yet so far away....

You could see the spray mist from forever away!



3 Years and Counting

Xander just turned 3 and he's as cute and lively as ever!  We actually had his Dr. apptointment when we went in for Japheth's.  At that time (and I'm sure not much has changed in this) he weighed 28 lbs 13 oz, and was 35 inches tall.  He is still obsessed with food, balls and cars (in that order), and has also started to love marbles.  No surprise as they are really cool little balls.  He is doing well at recognizing his letters and can count to 10 every time.  He counts to 20 but always manages to skip 14, 16, and 18.  He also loves to copy his big brother, even if big brother just got in trouble for it.  But copying Jaheth also means that Xander is becoming a bit more friendly and a little less shy.  He can be very dramatic at times, but on the flip side loves to cuddle in your lap and get his back scratched.

For his birthday he wanted a bounce house with balls of course, and since it means not having to come up with a way to entertain 2 and 3 yr olds we were all in! But then weather made us come up with a last minute plan. So... indoor beach ball party (thanks Maren & Jenn for the supplies). We still were able to just let them play on their own for most of it, but had to play Simon Says while Douglas taped a picture of a present to a few balls. Then they each took a turn finding a special ball to get a treat. And of course we topped it off with presents and cupcakes.

More balls please

Simon says tickle Japheth

Turning 5

For Japheth's 5th birthday he decided to have a Mario Party.  So of course we had to come up with everything Mario.  We played Mario Says, colored a Mario picture, played Pin the Raccoon Tail on Mario, and played hit the block (our Mario version of a pinata).  We ate power-up mushrooms cupcakes, though they looked better in my head than I was able to make, and everyone got to take their stuff home in a Mario question box.  It was a lot of fun and we're glad that everyone could make it!  Thanks for all the great presents from friends and family, he has been enjoying all of them!

Just pretend the cupcakes look like mushroom power-ups.

Pin the tail

Question take home boxes

Proud artists

Hit the block

Mustache fun!

In news about Japheth, he can't wait to start kindergarten.  He has been asking lately when he gets to go now that he's 5.  And he's always dissapointed to have to wait until the fall.  He reads and writes very well! And itsn't too bad at simple math.  He loves to play, ride his new bike, read and do puzzles.  He weighs 37lbs and 7oz and is 42inches tall (just under 50% for height).  He's a good big brother most of the time, and a sweet little boy.  He's still very friendly with everyone we see and loves to be social.  It's really hard to believe that he's already 5!

March Madness!

Grampa John & Japheth

Most years March is a busy month for us, but this year has been crazier than most!  Between two birthdays, a funeral and an interview this month is barely half over and I'm starting to feel exhausted.  Douglas' father past away the week before Japheth's birthday, and we had to move his party to be able to have the funeral.  I was a little worried that having this unexpected circumstance would put a damper on Japheth really being able to enjoy turning 5, and that it would be hard to jump back and forth between such contrasts constantly until his birthday was over.  Fortunately things were able to work out nicely in the end; everyone was able to switch to the earlier birthday party, and they all seemed to have a really good time.  At the same time, those who needed to be to the funeral were able to come, we had a nice service, and the boys did really well handling everything.  Of course Xander didn't have a clue what was going on, but I think Japheth was able to understand a little.

Boys playing after the funeral

Douglas is currently on his way to Vermont to interview (after celebrating his birthday early).  While he's gone I get to take the boys to their yearly check-up.  And after he gets home we go on a double date with some good friends and then he gets to have a Halo "birthday" party.  I still feel like I'm in the middle of a whirl-wind, but I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful little family to share it all with!