Day 5,6, and 7 with Gram

 Gram and Papa got CC and early birthday present! This barbie bike could not be more Cecily! Its glamed out just like her!

 Oli and Gram lovin on his thing 1. Oli got this lovey from Geat Grammi and Gramps for Christmas and he LOVES it!

 Gram and the kids in the dolly store (American girl doll store)

 CC took this wonderful shot of Mom and I. We are so much a like, we even dress similar.

 Oli and I on his first ride ever! He couldn't have cared less! We'll wait till he's a little older to do it again.

 Cecily just learned about Backyardigans and has watched it a few times so she was super excited when Uniqua was at MOA

 Posing for the camera

 The last thing we did with Gram before she flew home. We all 3 LOVE sushi so we enjoyed it as our last meal together. CC had a hard time with the size of the rolls, she tried biting through them but the seaweed paper prevented this from happening. She thought she was funny.

 We had a hard time getting all 3 of the "Maries" in the picture.

Cecily got Mom and I pretty well.

On saturday we did more shopping, we went to some fabric stores to find some things for my house, we went to the store to get food for sunday and CC wanted to show Gram how she could ride the big girl bikes, Gram decided it would be a great early birthday present. Cecily was so excited she got to take the bike home, she was telling the people in the store all about it. We got food and cheescake from the cheesecake factory and took it to a lake/park near our house. The park was having a hoe down so we ate and listened to the music and played at the park. Sunday we went to church and made dinner and a cake together. We caught Gram up on some of our family home videos, Played games and crafted! Monday we went to MOA and shopped and rode rides. We ate lunch and then ate at the Rainforest cafe for dinner. We had so much fun being with Gram and showing her what we love to do in MN. We miss her so much and were so sad to see her go on Tuesday. Cecily keeps asking when Gram will come back, when I say Im not sure, she replies "Gram is never ever coming to our house again??" ha ha she is so dramatic! We sure hope Gram and all of our family comes to our house again!!
Thank you so much for everything Gram we love you lots!!

Day 4 Nauvoo part 2

CC practicing her writing skills in the pioneer school.

 Oliver and CC loved the horses that took us on a fun carriage ride! Oliver kept making horse noises.

 Oliver loves his big sissy but does not love her to touch him. He is always teasing her by putting out his hand as if he wants her to hold it and then quickly pulling it away!

 Getting ready for our Carriage ride. Oliver was getting tired so he started to freak out a little.

 All he needed was a little cuddle time with Mom and he was out.

 Oli and Gram hanging out, outside of Carthage Jail

 A picture of Kreg and Cecily through the gun shot hole in the door in Carthage Jail. they thought it was appropriate to have a solemn look on their face.

Cecily and I in front of Carthage.

On the second day in Nauvoo Kreg and I were able to go early in the morning and do a session in the gorgeous templ! Oh my it is such a pretty Temple!! Gram and the kids got breakfast and got tickets for our carriage ride. We had fun looking at some of the homes, learning about bricks, eating lunch and going on the bumpy but fun carriage ride. We went on the same on a couple of years ago and it was fun to hear the neat stories again. We drove to Carthage Jail on our way our home and did the tour there. The missionary that lead the tour did a great job. We were in a group with a bunch of youth and she did a fabulous job speaking with the spirit!

                      The kids watching a movie and cuddling
We then drove the 7 hours home with a stop for dinner. The kids did really well again until about the last 15 min. Oliver was so tired and so sick of sitting in his carseat that he got sad, but it was midnight so we didnt hold it against him ;)

Day 3 with Gram NAUVOO

(CC teasing Oli with his binky)

CC and Oli did a fabulous job entertaining themselves on the 7 hour drive to Nauvoo. We left bright and early in the morning so we could have most of the day to sight see.

 Our family straight out of the car and to the Temple

 Gram and the kids, Oli perfected saying "Hi" on this trip, he said hi to everyone he saw which is a lot of people in such a tourist setting. I love how he says it out of the side of his mouth.

 CC helping Oliver stay on the grass for the picture

 Cecily and her Mcdouble (inside joke)

 Oliver LOVED scalling the stairs at the temple.

 The first day we were there the weather took a turn and stormed pretty good, so while Gram was doing a session in the Temple we went to a fun musical show put on by the missionaries, Kreg also was able to get a lot of really neat shots of the Temple during the storm.

 Our family at the show

 I love this Picture with the flag next to the Temple.

We got into Nauvoo around 1:00pm we went and saw the temple and then went to the visitors center, they had a fun play starting so we went to that. It was a little longer than we expected so Oliver only lasted a little bit so He and I went out in to the center to walk around. Unfortunately it was pouring outside so we just walked around while Oli said "HI" to all of the tourists, it was cute but people got tired of saying Hi back ha ha. After the play we went and  got settled into our hotel, We were all pretty tired so we took a little nap and Gram went to do a session in the temple. We then went to the show and went and looked in a few of the fun shops. We saw where Joseph Smith is buried and when Gram came out of the Temple we went and got a late dinner. I really love Nauvoo and love the feeling you get there, It is fun to imagine what life was like for the early Latter day Saints. Just being there is a testimony builder because of the strong spirit you feel! I cant wait to go back!

Gram Came to town

My Mom (Gram) came to Minnesota to visit us and spoil us! We had so much fun with her and miss her lots already! We have lots of pictures from her trip so I will break them down into different posts. She flew in on Tuesday night, The kids and I went to pick her up from the airport. There was no warm up time with CC she was talking Gram's ear off at the first moment we saw her, Oli was a little more nervous, but that was to be expected. We went home and Gram unloaded all of the Loot she brought us! CC got all of my old Barbies and all of the clothes and accessories, she got all of  my American Girl Doll stuff (which we put away till she is a little older). It was like Christmas! Wednesday we went shopping all day it was so fun and of course we were spoiled again, we went to a few different stores 2 different malls and out to eat at the Rainforest Cafe (CC's favorite)! We also got stuff for our trip to Nauvoo the following day. It is always non stop busy fun with Gram and we love it! We love her energy and her cheerfulness!

Oli and CC loved the Rainforest Cafe! They would get so excited with all of the action!CC insisted on wearing her crown that day to the mall, she is such a DIVA!

Log Ride

My Mom just left today after a week of fun! I will post lots of pictures later but for now enjoy this picture of Cecily and I on the Log Ride at MOA. Thanks Mom for the pic!

I cannot help but laughed everytime I look at CC's face!

Like Mother like Daughter

We've already mentions that CC likes to clean and do chores just like me but, she also likes to wear her swimsuit just like I did as a kid, All summer long I would live in my suit and I'll be honest I may not look as cute in my suit now but I still love to wear it all summer long its just so comfortable!

Cooling off

The kids had fun splish splashing in Oliver's new pool. Its tiny and perfect for our little deck!

Splash Splash

Who doesnt love a few bowls full of water and the freedom to play nudey!

Cecily Graduated

 They started the graduation off with a song program by the Kids. They sang 10 or 11 songs and boy were they cute!

We then moved the graduation into Cecily's class room where they showed off some of their sign language skills and sang their class song "Bumble bees".

 Walking across the podium with her diploma

 In her robe

 CC and her teacher MS. Laurie

Two of CC's Fans