Chicago

I'm having problems with blogger, and can't get the words next to the pictures, so instead they are under all the pictures.
Brian & I decided we needed a nice break/vacation with just the 2 of us, and Landon of course. I had really wanted to go to San Antonio or San Diego but felt that it would be easier to go there when it was just the 2 of us, so we decided on Chicago. Brian's Uncle Reed & Aunt Karen live there and we thought it would be fun to visit them & then head down to Nauvoo. We had such a nice time. Here are some of the highlights in the order they happened.
* Getting delayed 2 hours after boarding the plane and watching the woman next to us (who would make a perfect character in a book) order red wine. I had to try really hard not to start singing "Red Red Wine" to her. After the 3 hour flight, and 2 hours onboard, it was still entertaining watching her smack her head for the 5th time when we landed. She was very kind and would randomly give us information on the best things to do in Chicago.
* Having a very pleasant conversation with the man next to us & making a new friend.
* Picking up our rental car (which we reserved online) only to find out they didn't have any cars left and we needed to wait for a while before we could get one or we could pay a little more and drive in style. So, after a long day, a 40 minute drive ahead of us & it being 11:15 p.m. we decided to pay a little more.
* Walking outside to see that we would be driving a 2010 Black Ford Explorer-yes, very nice.
* Getting the "Garmin" from Jackie. She looked very tired and I told her I was going to name our "Garmin" after her. She wasn't sure about that idea, but told us to name our next child after her.
*Once in our smooth riding vehicle, we decided to see if Jackie really worked, and the best way to test her was to take a couple of wrong turns. We were very entertained! We were waiting for "Jackie" to say in a mechanical yet patient voice "Turn around you idiot!" :) We practiced for about 10 minutes and then we started getting along with her & were best friends for the rest of the trip. I am now convinced we need a "Jackie" in our car.
*Arriving at Nuttalls & spending time with their cute family.
*Sleeping in.
*Walking around Chicago. Brian and I felt as though are eyes were as wide as saucers! There were SO many things to see and places to look. It was amazing!
*Driving for 4 hours to Nauvoo & just talking with no interuptions.
*Going to the temple with Brian while a ward member watched Landon.
*Eating a really nice dinner & brunch in Nauvoo.
*Feeling the strong spirit of the missionaries serving in Nauvoo, the temple, & Carthage.
*Feeling the amazing & strong spirit in Nauvoo, but especially on Parley Street, knowing that this was the view the saints had when they head west- the Mississippi River in front, and their homes & the temple behind them.
*Going to Carthage & gaining an even stronger testimony of Joseph Smith the prophet, and all that he went through.
Seeing a beautiful sunset that painted the sky with pinks & purples.
*Going on a river boat ride in Chicago & getting a tour of the city.
*Going to Navy Pier & getting a choclate icecream cone (I felt kind of like a little kid) :) and Brian got a Pina Colada.
*Watching a black woman think that Landon was so adorable, that she couldn't help but kiss him on his cheek.
*Talking to a couple, from Australia, in the boat ride line. They were on a 5 week train ride through the U.S. and were headed to Denver and then Salt Lake City. She was very excited to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir & visit Temple Square. We mentioned how we had gone to Nauvoo & Carthage and they were very interested. At one point in the conversation she said in her sweet Austrailian accent, "I remember when I was a little girl, 2 men in dark suits came to my home a couple of times. I think they were from your church. I haven't seen them for a while. I hope they haven't given up on us!" We told them they would love temple square and that there were sister missionaries there who could teach them even more. It was a really neat experience.
*Being with Brian for 5 days & spending time with him & Landon.
*Getting on the airplane with the same excitement of going on a vacation, only this time, the excitement was knowing we would see our kids soon.
*Coming home and driving around our neighborhood & area & realizing even more how much I LOVE home!
*Seeing the kids & each of them giving us a huge hug. Hallie had fallen asleep in Grandma Karen's car and when she saw me she wrapped her arms around me and said, "Hi Mommy! I love you Mommy!" She kept saying to Brian, "Hi Daddy!"
We had such a nice time! Now, we're trying to get back to reality. :)