A Visit from a Friend

I was so lucky to have my best friend, Jennifer Wilson come and visit me during the first of May. We had so much fun together and she was even nice enough to let me drag my kids along with me everywhere we went. I know my kids had so much fun. Lilly made a new best friend and was very sad when she left. Jen learned really fast that Lilly is extra friendly and talkative. She thought Jen was there just to visit her.

While Jen was here she got a tour of John Deere Headquarters and gift shop. I took her to the headquarters since she is an adult. The JD Pavilion is usually toured when visiting kids are present.

We went to Nauvoo and to Carthage Jail. I didn’t check times very well and we just barely made it in time to get a tour of Carthage. By the time we got to Nauvoo we missed the carriage rides. I felt really bad. Instead we toured the town and the women’s garden. We also went down to the river crossing. I was able to leave Lilly at a friend’s house but Bennett came with us. Going with Jen was fun because we did a lot of things I hadn’t done yet.

This is the part of the river the pioneer's crossed

On Sunday, which was Mother’s Day, I had to give a talk. It was kind of a bummer talking on Mother’s Day but everything went smoothly so that is good.

After church we went to a local Art Fair. We both got caricatures done of ourselves. I was the last one of the day and I felt like his work was slacking by the time he got to me. Even Tyson said it didn’t look anything like me. Plus, the guy was enamored with Jen and was still focused on her. After the fair we went on the sky bridge and down to the river. The river was high so we didn’t get to go on the walk I was hoping for. Plus, it started raining.

Since it was Mother’s Day Tyson made us a yummy dinner and the kids gave me two beautiful hanging plants. I am one lucky mommy.

On Monday I took Jen to a chocolate store, on a tour of the old houses and shopping. It was a rainy day so we had to pick inside activities. There aren’t a lot of things to do inside here. We went to a fun jewelry store called Charming Charles. If you haven’t been to one and you have one close, GO! They are so much fun. After shopping we went to dinner and we were going to go to a movie but by then it was raining so badly it was a little scary driving. Instead we went home and hung out.

We did a lot of talking and hanging out during Jen’s visit. It was perfect! Exactly the girl time I needed.

On Tuesday I drove Jen to Chicago where she met up with a friend. We were very sad to see her leave. Lilly was a little heartbroken. The house we dropped Jen off had a kitten though so that helped soften the blow a little, for Lilly at least. I am still heartbroken.

Come back soon Jen!!  

Easter - 2014

I feel like we have our family Easter traditions set. We start with pictures for the kids. I find that if I plan them around a holiday then I remember to do it every year. I like to see how they grow. Plus, they have their cute Easter outfits already.

The kids did well with the pictures. Lilly sometimes forgets to smile pretty and Bennett was being a little shy but the photographers always manage to get cute ones. Sometimes they get too many and it makes it hard for me to narrow down my selection. I always end up with WAY too many pictures. I only want the CD with the digital copies but you have to get the printed pictures to go along with them. (If anyone would like a printed picture of the kids just let me know.) 

 

 

We decided to go to the Bettendorf City Easter egg hunt again. I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea. It is the oddest, weirdest Easter egg hunt ever. Last year I called it ‘funny’ but that was just me being nice.

We arrived early this year since we knew it started right on-time. We found our spot on the 3 and under field and waited for the countdown. It was warm this year so that was a plus. When the countdown started all the little kids ran out to the field before they were even finished. The candy was already gone by the time they said ‘go’. Moms were picking up candy for their kids and it was done within 5 minutes. Then to make matters worse they didn’t even have the Easter bunny this year for pictures.

I take that back – there was a guy wondering around in an Easter bunny outfit but he looked really questionable and I would not allow my kids near him.  

The whole thing was really trashy not put together well. We have found that sometimes activities in the Midwest aren’t planned out the best. I don’t think we will be attending the Easter egg hunt again.

Friday before Easter, we painted eggs.

 

The Easter bunny came on Saturday morning and hide all the eggs outside since he knew that we had early church on Sunday.  Lilly was hilarious finding the eggs. She was SO excited. I could only get pictures of her in mid-run. She would squeal every time she found one. She even helped Bennett find all of his eggs.

We spent the day playing with the stuff in the kid’s baskets, eating candy, playing T-ball, and just spending time together as a family. It was extremely enjoyable. After everyone was tired out we popped popcorn and watched the movie Hop.