Christmas Memories

We had three FABULOUS weeks in Utah and Idaho. It almost felt like we moved home and coming back has felt a little bit weird. It's all good though. We have been welcomed back by our friends in Nauvoo and it's nice to be back in a routine. Here is a list of just some of the great adventures we had on our trek west:

Molly and Jordan's beautiful wedding

Spending time with a few good friends

Playing games with Kylie, Landon and Walt

Throwing up orange juice at Grandma Sherrie's (sorry about that again)

Ice Skating with Josh and Sam

Jamberry nails :)

Some much needed cousin time with Burke, Tegan, Mya, Morgan and Kenzie

Fine dining at the Jackson Family Bistro

Turning 32

Skiing for the first time in 8 years

Girls night with Tara

Riding a bus at 330am

The culmination of the journey was a much-needed trip to Costco on the way home. I have to squeeze that in whenever I get the chance because I don't get it that often. We love you all and we already miss you. Come Visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Walk/Stella's First Dance Performance

Every year on the first Saturday of December, Nauvoo hosts a "Christmas Walk".  It isn't quite as well-attended as the "Pumpkin Walk" (probably because it's freezing), but it is still really fun.  There were all kinds of things to do. Stella and I went to see Santa and then we went on a "tasting tour" of a few hotels in town.  They looked so pretty with all their decorations!  If I didn't have a house here, there are a few places that I would love to stay.  After that, we attended the community Christmas Concert, including Stella's first dance performance.  Her group danced to "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".  They looked so cute!!!  She is having a lot of fun in dance.  I recorded it but apparently the file is too big to post here so I guess pictures will suffice. That night, we went to the tree lighting at the visitor's center and then saw a live nativity done by the senior missionaries.  It was really cool even with 60 year old Mary and Joseph!  There were other things we could have done but Siena wasn't feeling well so we were trying to keep her home as much as possible.  Christmas in Nauvoo is awesome!  I am glad to be going home though.

Festival of Lights

We went to the Light Parade in Ft. Madison on Friday. It was kind of like a toned down version of the Electric Parade at Disneyland.  I was very impressed!  It was a great way to kick off the holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had dinner with some friends here in Nauvoo for Thanksgiving.  It wasn't the same as being with family but it was definitely more fun that I expected.  We are starting to make some good friends here.  We are so thankful for all the blessings we have and for all our family and friends both near and far.  (Sounds like a country song but it's true :)

Halloween Party

Our neighbors had an adults only Halloween party the other night.  It was so fun to do something like that without our kids!  Its been awhile since I have done anything like that.  Nick decided what he was going to be about 15 minutes before the party started.  He is very good at coming up with good ideas at the last minute.  For any of you who may have seen the newly released "Spooky Buddies", he went as "Frankendude" at Stella's request.  I am Minnie Mouse in case you can't tell.

Pumpkin Walk

Nauvoo makes a HUGE deal out of Halloween.  They have a pumpkin walk where the streets are lined with thousands of carved pumpkins and a parade where everyone in town marches down Mulholland in their costumes.  There were at least 2000 people lining the streets...more than I have ever seen at one time.  It was so much fun!! This is officially my favorite even in Nauvoo so far. Pageant is a close second. 

Chicago

Stella had a day off of school last weekend so we decided to take a trip to Chicago. It's about 4 1/2 hours away.  Stella and I took the train into the city to see Mary Poppins!! We had a great time.  I'm gonna make a broadway buddy out of her if it's the last thing I do.  We also went to the American Girl store and Millenium Park.  Such a fun weekend!  I hope we get a chance to go back sometime.