2018 Trip to Nauvoo - Day 1

We decided to go to Nauvoo for a little spring break.  We thoroughly enjoyed it.  And if we are here next year, I want to make it an annual tradition.  We timed it perfectly too.  There were hardly any other visitors, so it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves!

We left for Nauvoo on Thursday, April 19.  We left at 9:30 a.m.  The only thing we forgot were sheets for the pack n plays, but we just used the extra sheets from the cabin.  So it worked out.

The babies napped for about an hour or so.  It's only a 4 hour drive.  We ate at McDonald's in Burlington about 45 minutes from Nauvoo.  Then we finished our drive to Nauvoo and arrived at our little log cabin.  

When we pulled up and saw our Van Fleet cabin we just laughed and laughed.  I laughed so hard I cried.  It was the smallest cabin there!  Cute, but small.  There was a cute chalkboard that said, "Welcome Nyborg Family!"  

The kids were thrilled and Loooooved this little cabin.

Inside was a queen bed, a fold out couch, bunk beds and a small bathroom.  I'm thinking the whole cabin was less than 100 sq ft.  The kids loved the bunk beds.  They played on the bunk beds whenever they could.  They called it their castle.

Lots of wood in this cabin.  Even the toilet paper holder was made of wood and the lock for the bathroom was a piece of wood that slid back and forth. (the babies liked to play with that too.)

Sofie and Noah loved the little stone pathway from the front door to the car.

They were excited to be outside. It was just a cool cabin and I loved having us all together nice and cozy.
We unloaded the car and then drove to the visitors center.

Nels and the babies talked with the couple missionaries.  I walked around with Isak and Kira.  We looked at the large statue of Christ.  I pointed out the nail prints in his hands and the spear wound in his side.  I bore testimony that Jesus died for us and that he lives again.  Kira said, "It looks like Jesus is hugging us."  Because his arms are out.  Then Isak held his arms out and said, "I'm hugging Jesus."  Sweet Moment.

Another sweet moment was when we saw the statue of the First Vision.  Kira asked what the statue was about.  So I was able to give a brief version of the First Vision.  It helped that Isak had just given a talk on Joseph Smith and the restoration in primary.  So I basically gave his talk.  :)  She listened and I think she understood it.  I was grateful for the opportunity to teach and to testify to my kids.

Then we went to the Scovil Bakery.  The kids did a good job listening to the sister missionary talk about Scovil and his life.  I learned that he was the one who drew the temple and then he printed the drawing on 1,000 plates while he was on his mission in Europe.  We all enjoyed the cookie afterwards.

Then we went to the Blacksmith shop and learned about how to make wagon wheels and horse shoes.    Poor Noah fell off the bench and smacked his head on the hard cement floor.

Isak and Kira picked out a prairie ring.

Then we went to the Brickyard.  The missionary spoke about building on a strong foundation and related it to the wise men building his house on the rock.  Kira leaned over to me and whispered.  "I have a question.  Ask him about the three little pigs."  :)  I didn't get the chance to ask, but I love that Kira thought of the strong brick house that kept the wolf out.  The Elder also related it to a foundation in Christ.

Everything closes at 5 p.m.  So we went to a little park and let the kids play for a bit.  Isak went down one slide and got his pants all wet.  So we stopped at the cabin for some pants.  Then we drove for 30 minutes to a Pizza Hut for dinner.  Two medium pizzas and some chicken alfredo and breadsticks for $25!  Pretty good.  

We went back to the cabin and got ready for bed.  Sofie and Noah talked and talked.  Then Sofie fell asleep and Noah cried and cried.  He finally fell asleep.  Then he woke up at 11 p.m.  I put him on the couch.  Then he woke up at 1:30 a.m.  He'd fallen off so I put him back on the couch.  Then he was up at 5:20 a.m.  I held him for a while and then took him to bed with me.  It was a long night.  Noah wasn't feeling well - cough.  I had a sore throat too.  Isak slept on the top bunk and Kira slept on the bottom bed.  Sofie, Isak and Kira all slept well both nights. 

Me in front of our little cabin.

Nels in from of the cabin.  I think our van was almost as big as the cabin.  haha.

The key was cute, an old antique key.

So that was our first day at Nauvoo!

2018 - All About Easter

We enjoyed a few activities in preparation for Easter.  On Monday night before Easter for FHE we did the Easter egg lesson with Isak and Kira.  You know the one with something inside a plastic egg that tells about Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.  They paid attention the whole time and learned a lot.

On Tuesday before Easter, we read some of the Book of Mormon Easter book.  

On Wednesday before Easter, we read "The Best Ever Easter Egg" book from the library.  I had them water color easter eggs on card stock paper.  Then on Thursday we laminated the eggs.  I hid the eggs and then the kids found them.  So cute.

Here's a pic of them painting.  

Very carefully.

Sofie really wanted to participate.  She was happy with crayons.

I colored three that resembled the eggs from the book we read.

Here's all of the eggs.  The top row are the ones I colored.  Kira painted the second row.  Isak painted the third row. And Sofie colored the bottom row.

Cute book and fun activity.

One night we made bunny sugar cookies...the pre-made kind.

They were delicious.

Nels and I put together baskets and hid the eggs around the first floor of our house.  In their baskets..Isak and Kira each got a hundred piece puzzle and an oreo chocolate bunny.  Sofie and Noah got a tablet.  And then they shared the items in the middle.  Crayons, markers, toothbrushes, rulers, play dough and glue sticks.  Yes, I stocked up on art supplies for easter.  :) Oh and we gave bubbles too.

Then Sunday morning was the Easter Egg Hunt.  Boy, did it go quick.  I barely got any pics and they're blurry because of how fast they were moving.  haha.

I love watching them hunt for candy though.  So fun.
We made Cream Chip Beef for breakfast.  It's a Nyborg favorite.
We listened to conference.
We napped.
Listened to conference.
And then made an awesome Easter dinner.  Nels grilled chicken in the 31 degree weather.   I made mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, broccoli, a bowl of fruit (bananas, raspberries and strawberries), cheese sticks and rolls.  I made an orange jello salad the night before so we ate that too.  For dessert we enjoyed strawberry cheesecake (Isak asked for it).  Even Kira liked the dessert!

We Facetimed parents and put kids to bed.

I snuck in this impromptu photo shoot.  Sofie and Noah love their baskets, even if they got them mixed up.  They were just playing around with them.  So, of course, I took their pictures.

Noah thought it was sooooo funny to put it on his head.

Isn't Sofie adorable??!!

Cheese.  They say "cheese" for pictures.

Playing with the empty plastic eggs.

And that was the end of Easter.  We are grateful we can celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and enjoy time as a family.

2018 March Wrap Up

On March 1st the older kids and I went to Kindergarten preview day.  My friend watched Sofie and Noah.  It was a fun outing.  We got to see the school and meet their teacher.  I think it will be a good school.  Kindergarten here is only half day.

Here they are outside the school on the cold March day.

Sofie had a skin infection.  I took all the kids to the doctor for her appt.  Then we waited in Walmart for her prescription to get filled.  Here's what four kids waiting looks like:

Kira is such a sweet girl.  One day she asked me to paint her nails and fix her hair.  So we took the morning and pampered her.  She loved it and kept telling me thank you.  Then we took some pictures.

Soon Sofie will join us for nail painting days.  :)

Kira loves to kiss her sister.

I hope they are good friends.

Another day, Kira wanted her pic taken and the babies joined her.

Even Noah.

Sometimes Noah surprises me.

One Sunday...

Cheese....

And Noah says, "I'm out of here...where's the food!"

Sofie loves to color!

Noah loves anything with wheels.

Nels surprised me with an edible fruit bouquet to celebrate 15 years since we became engaged.  :)  It was so sweet and unexpected.  Thanks Nels!

I went to a sign party and made this "happy Spring" sign.  This is the only decoration in my house.

And I bought this wreath that I love! I love the little boy poking his head in the window too.

Long Sunday's equals tired baby boys.

A pic of Isak doing some chores to earn money for his lego set.

I made homemade granola bars.  I loved them!  Delicious.  They are made with almond butter, oats, almond slices, flax seed, honey and of course some chocolate chips.

General Conference.  I printed off Bingo Sheets and bought Captain Crunch cereal for the pieces.  Isak watched the most and listened carefully to the words to get his bingos.  It was awesome.  He said he loved general conference.  Kira listened off and on.  But hey, I'll take it!

Sofie loves to play with this giant alphabet puzzle.  S is for Sofie and sunshine.

Where's Noah?  He loves to hide behind the blinds.

Crying babies.  Ah!

She saw the camera and decided to smile instead.  :)

I saw this idea and it was easy to execute.  So the kids enjoyed owls made out of rice cakes, peanut butter, apples, cheerios and bananas.

Sleeping Noah.

I made this super healthy meal that no one liked...even me. haha.

Other random things.
We got our taxes done.  Yay.
Nels was gone for a whole week to St. Louis, MO.
I played games with Isak and Kira a few times this month.  We played Chutes and Ladders and Sequence for kids.
I got my violin out and actually played it twice!!  I printed off music for "If the Savior Stood Beside Me"  It was fun to play and the kids recognized it so I didn't sound too awful.
We finished reading The Tale of Despereaux with the kids.  I really enjoyed the story.
We gave Isak and Kira Kindles.  They love them.  They get to use them when I shower and nap.
I took all four kids to Kohls for some summer clothes shopping.  They were all good and it was a good outing.
We got our temple recommends renewed, which included a half hour drive to the Stake Center.  But we did it and I'm so thankful for it!
And prep for Easter, which I'll blog about next!
That's it for March 2018!