We moved!

I realized that probably lots of my Utah friends didn't know that we moved so I thought I'd let you all know:) Things just fell into place for us to move to Iowa for a year so we moved out here on August 2nd. We are excited to be here and are really enjoying it. Daryl is doing an online MBA program (or two) at the Iowa State library's computer lab and the kids and I are enjoying the town and our cute apartment. It is great to live by my parents and brother and sister. You all are invited to come visit any time:) We are about 2 1/2 hours from Winter Quarters and 3 1/2 hours from Nauvoo. Plus we have a nice air mattress and extra room:) Love you all!

P.S. Here are some pics I took for my sister Es:)

Iowa!

We are in Iowa visiting my parents and it is so fun to be here. So far we have: played in the pool out back, went to a birthday work party for my dad at a mexican restaurant, visited the library and checked out books, read lots of books, played with grandma a lot, ate very yummy grandma-cooked meals, gone on a few walks, played outside with the fireflies, enjoyed my parents new deck, seen lots of birds, bugs and other cool wildlife, seen my sister Cassie and brother Adam, visited with my high school friend Alyson, visited with my "second mom" Janine, etc. Plus yesterday Daryl, Ava, Jonah, and I went to Nauvoo for a quick trip. It was great to be there! We saw the dress rehearsal for the Nauvoo pageant last night, visited a bunch of sites, saw the temple, and rode on both the horse and oxen wagon rides. The Spirit is so strong and special there of Joseph Smith and the early saints. We were so glad that we got to go:) We have more wonderful things planned for our trip but most of all we are grateful to be together and be able to spend time with my parents, sister, and brother. We know families are forever and are eternally grateful for our Savior to make it all possible.

No more internet... for now at least

We are moving tomorrow to a place just about five blocks away. I am excited because it is above ground, currently we live in a basement, but I am not excited because I don't think it has internet:( I hope we will get it eventually, but for now it was great to get to do a few blog posts right in a row and thanks for all the love! We sure love all of you guys too. Muah.

The kids

Just in case anyone wanted a picture this morning of all our cute kids:) (all three of them). And of course a funny face one. Btw, we are having a girl if I didn't already tell you. We are excited!

Graduation!

Are you adding a note or a person?

This was back at the end of April, but I am catching up on the blog:) This was such a great experience and we were so thankful to everyone who supported and helped us so we could reach this day. Thank you!!

Smoochie smoochie

Weddings and Spring

Last week was Nate and Jessica's temple wedding sealing at the Mt. Timpanogos temple. It was such a wonderful day and we felt very blessed to be able to be a part of it. Love you Nate and Jess! We are so happy for you.

Nate and Jess together forever

Smith Family outside the temple:)

Ava!

Jonah!

Ava and Jonah

All the grand kids waiting outside the temple as Nate and Jess get sealed inside:)
(Thanks again for taking all these pictures Kathleen and Jared!)

It has been awhile! Now that we have internet at home I am hoping that I will be able to update this more often:) We are doing well and still plugging away at school. I graduate in April and Daryl will graduate in December of this year. Our kids are healthy and well and so much fun. We love being their parents. I will post some recent quotes and doings from the kids. Ava to her daddy "you are the bestest boy who I love." In the morning the other day I let Ava open Jonah's door because he was awake and I heard her say, "Well sorry buddy, I can't pick you up but... I can hug you!" Ava "that is the smartest thing I ever did hear, and I heard it from myself!" The other night Ava wrapped her arm around my shoulder and said, "You're so great. You're a great mom." Ava "Mom, can we give this blanket to D.I. so someone who doesn't have a blanket can have one?" "You look marvelous Mom!" "Bless my heart!" "Look at all the beautiful stars. Thank you Heavenly Father!" To Jonah as she hands him something "Here you go son." "Jonah, you are cracking me up!" Me: "Ava can you think of anything you'd like from the store?" Ava's reply: "How about you think about taking me. You know... mother daughter date?" "Look mom! I shared with Jonah! I am a good example" To Jonah "Hey little buddy! How are you?" After I thanked Ava for teaching Jonah that wheat is for eating and planting she said "I am just practicing for when I have lots of brothers and sisters." After I apologized for some bad behavior on my part Ava told me, "It's ok mommy. You weren't really mean, just a little mean." "I'm so, so, so, so hungry. That's a lot of hungry! I need food so bad!" "Your kids are hungry mom!" Some Jonah words; Hallelujah, hi mama!, are you dadah? (where are you?), cookie, popsicle, more please, up please, hold you, (after falling down and hitting his face, pointing to his eye) eye ouch, sorry Ava, I sorry, poo-poo (patting his diaper), beep-beep (when he shuts the door), no nigh-nigh (doesn't want to go to bed), kick (as he kicks), etc. He also likes to sign a lot; sit down please, more please, dog, book, etc. His new thing is he likes to sit on the potty, hop off, grab some tp and wipe himself, then flush the toilet and wash his hands. Too bad he isn't older! Maybe I'd try to potty train him! As you can see we don't have a dull moment around here and we love it that way:)