The Thomas Twins Reunited

Bethany Jex came to visit me right before Easter, we had not seen each other for over a year and that is just not exceptionable. She came all the way out to little Nauvoo to see me, one thing I always did for Bethany was draw up a game plan in high school. So I drew here up a Nauvoo fun game plan... kinda hard because there is really nothing here (hahah), but I think I did a pretty good job. ( its kind of hard to follow, but if you can good job :) )

Jonny and I took Bethany to the Casino in Burlington, for a nice dinner and we might have done a few dollars on the slots... at one point I was up $15 and Bethany was telling me, "cash it out, cash it OUT" but I did not listen and I lost it all. I don't think I'm much of a gambler. ( but I did get some cute earrings out of it)

After our  gambling night, we decided it would be good to go to church and see the temple. Before church Jonny had a meeting so Beth and I just walked around the temple grounds catching up. I miss this woman she is the best. The wind was really strong that day and it was a little over cast but it was so much fun walking around and enjoying the beauty. We wanted to go do a session, but the temple was closed that week for cleaning. :( maybe next time Beth :P

While we were doing all of our adventures, we had several people ask us if we were sisters. we may as well be so we just say yes :). We went to the visitor center, and old Nauvoo flats it was a lot of fun, we even went on a carriage ride. It was kind of a colder day, but that was good because there were less people out and about. It was fun but there is only so much history you can take in a day.

after our long day of out and about we dropped by the Fudge Factory to get some delicious treats. you cant come to Nauvoo and not go here, its like that only good place besides the temple :).

That night we all went out for a little game of Put-Put. It has to be the hardest courses I have ever played, but it was 18 holes of fun. The loser had to buy ice cream and we where both glad that unfortunate Jonny was the loser. It was so fun, we also did the batting cages and just enjoyed the night. I'm so grateful for such a great girl friend, I wish her husband could of come down. Next time we will have to go visit them. It was sad to take her to the airport and say goodbye but we will have to go on that cruise we were talking about soon. :)

Relief Society Reenactment

The Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was officially organized March 17, 1842 inside the Redbrick store in Nauvoo. This year I was able to participate in the Church s Relief Society Reenactment that takes place in the same place the Redbrick Store. I was asked if I would be willing to play a woman named Helen Mar Whitney. I agreed and I memorized my part, (it was pretty long I was a little nervous.) We practiced a few times and got our costumes, women came from all over to see it and to attend the woman's retreat, all the way from Utah, Idaho, California, Arizona, Washington and New Mexico.... I was surprised :)
I had so much fun playing the part and feeling the spirit in the room during the performance. It was a blessing to be apart of it, and now I am able to say that I was in a church reenactment in Nauvoo :). All the women where so fun, and im so glad that I got to know some of them a little more. We did two shows, the picture below is of us outside after the last show. I wish I had a picture of the whole group, but ill try and find one.

After the show a few women came up to me and asked if I had been in pageants or reenactments before, (NOPE) it made me feel good that someone noticed that I did well. Jonny wished he could have come, but it was i the middle of the day on a Thursday so when he came home I gave him my lines:)

Growing On Up !!!

Our puppy is almost no longer a puppy, she is a growing dog for sure when we first got her she was maybe 2 pounds, 2 weeks latter 7 pounds, 2 weeks latter 14 pounds... its safe to day she is around 20 pounds now.  we were told that she was an Australian shepherd/ terror mix ( so she would stay small.) Well we went into the vet yesterday and they said she was defiantly an Australian shepherd but mixed with an Australian Cattle dog, soooooo long story short Harley will be a lot bigger than we thought she was going to be... BUT she is still pretty small so we hope she will stay such.

we have taught her many things such as: 

-Sit

-come 

-down

-stay 

-fetch 

-"NO" hahah 

-patience

-and to PRAY before she eats ( I will post a video of her doing it, so you will believe it)

She loves to: 

-bring us her bowl when she is thirsty or hungry and will bring us the right bowl

-she likes to take us on walks wile bitting the leash and pulling us along

-she loves her belly rubbed 

-loves sleeping on or next to you at all times and snuggling

-hates, but loves spicy foods ( I can throw a jalapeno down on the floor and that will keep her busy for 20 min.)   

-she smiles when she sleeps and also runs while sleeping to

- sleep on her back with her legs in the air, or streched out as flat as she can make herself

She is such a good dog and we are so glad that we got her, she follows us everywhere and will sit by my feet when im doing the dishes or putting my makeup on in the morning.bring us toys when she wants to play and is always so excited to see up even if we were only gone for 5 min. We have high hopes that she will be a great old dog in our family one day. Harley, you were a steal of a deal darling :)

Texas We MIss You

 

We recently visited Texas to visit friends and as well as apply to more schools, while we were down there we got to spend time with our friends and go out to dinner. Us girls went out and all saw the movie " Frozen" together, it was the best catching up and seeing everyone. We spend a few days with David and Kye Holden with their new baby daughter Mary. She is a cute tough little girl, just like her mom. It was so nice to get a break for the weather out in IL and back to warm weather, we enjoyed taking walks together through the neighborhoods and looking at the houses. Jonny also sold his dirt bike for $100, so we could get it out of Davids garage.We got it up and running after a lot of hard work, so Jonny was able to take his last joy ride around before we got rid of it. We rode that bike on our first date, I wish we could of had more use for it while we were in Texas. It was a quick trip, but we were grateful to see all of our amazing friends and family.  

Sweet North Carloina

Visiting home sure was a treat, I enjoyed spending time with my parents and Jessica, Eric and Baby Emmett. While I was home for a week I turned in some applications and for some dental programs and then just enjoyed spending time with my wonderful family. My mom sure is a champ and is the BEST MOM ever for helping me do all that I needed to do while I was down there. My family is the best I love them all so much, and I feel so blessed to always have their support no matter what :).

Ohhhhhh how I just love sleeping babies, Emmett just napped and napped on me all the time. I never wanted to put him down, he is such a cutie for sure! He is just a smiling baby, you ever did see :D I asked Jessica if we could give him a bath every night, just because he loves them so much and he giggles and squeals while playing in the water:). Both my sisters are such great moms, I hope that one day I will be half as good a mom as them. Mom don't worry you are at the top of that "best mom's List." 

When I was home Jonny was able to come down for a day or so and I promised my dad that I would make him my famous Apple Pie ( YUMMMM) It was pretty dang good, not a crumb left at the bottom of the pan. Jonny was impressed as well, because I have not ever made him one before... now he knows all my secrets :)

The best part of the night was not pie, or shopping it was seeing my little nephew just laugh and laugh as we played on the floor together :)

My Nauvoo Job

I am the new manager of the Nauvoo Vacation Villas, I have been so busy with applying to schools and going to school that I have not been able to get a job. ( believe me I've tried) But now the snow is melting and people are starting to come out of hibernation, I decided that it would be a good time. So far I've bee working there for 2 and a little weeks and its going great. Its extra money that will help us reach our goal of buying our future home and starting our family. I cant wait to decorate our home one day and to have our own home. pinterest is already well planned with my many, many ideas of what I would like to do in our home together. The more we save the more we can make our home, HOME :)

Mr. Sow Man

This winter was a really harsh one, so we decided to try to make the best of it with building a snowman. All Winter whenever it snowed we were not able to make a snowman because the snow was to dry and felt like flour but, one crazy day all the planets alined and we were able to make a small Mr. Snowman. We even were able to watch a beautiful sunset hoping and wishing that the Summer would PLEASE come. We went around with my brand new camera that Jonny got me for valentines day, and took some amazing pictures. I love the winter and snow, but its time for it to go away and bring on the flowers.