So far Connecticut has been very good to us. Our house is old, but spacious. There are lots of projects I want to do on it, but am restraining myself since I need to still get the babies room situated.
Our ward is super friendly. It's been really nice to jump right into friendships. We're still working on finding friends for everyone, but i feel really accepted and loved here. The boys have made a few friends. Still working on the younger crew, but I know that will come with time. I went to see the movie Eclipse with my new friend last week. It was fun!
It's so fun to be close to family! Matt lives about 2 hours away, and Maia is 3 hours. They both came up last weekend for the 4th of July. It was really fun to see them. Maia will be coming to stay with me next week while Kendall goes to Brazil for business. I'm excited to spend some time with her. I think Colleen will come down and spend Thursday with us too.
It's also been great to move back to some of our old friends. The Greens (our friends from medical school) live in Pelham NY which is about an hour and 15 minutes away. Valecia and I took the kids swimming at a great pool in Westchester last Friday. Then She volunteered to take the kids for a sleepover so justin and I could have one last night before the baby comes. She is amazing! I love good friends! Justin and I jumped on the chance and took the train into
Manhattan. We wanted to see a broadway show, but were too late to catch the good discounts and too cheap to spend much on plays we didn't know much about. Instead, we went out to dinner and a movie, a comedy show we had to walk out of and people watched on 42nd street. It was fun. Then we spent the night at the Soldiers, sailors, Marines and Airmens club in the VIP room. Saturday morning we woke up just in time to make it to the 10:15 temple session. Interestingly enough, we saw Glenn Beck at the temple. I almost went up and spoke to him and begged him for his autograph for my friend Kelly who loves him, but decided that might be inappropriate at the temple. It was a really good experience though, and reminded me of the importance of going to the temple and doing what's right. It was kind of funny, because all Friday night we kept missing everything we wanted to do because we were just a little late, and it was hot and crowded and noisy. Walking around (which I usually love to do in Manhattan) was kind of painful and annoying being so pregnant and though we had a great time, I kept wondering if it was really worth all the money we were paying for the hotel and other activities. Then we woke up kind of late on Saturday and I thought for sure we were going to miss the 10:00 temple session, which we would of if the session was really at 10, however, the session was at 10:15 and we made it just on time to get dressed and hop into the chappel. We also happened to see Glenn Beck and just the whole atmosphere of the temple was amazing. I kept feeling so blessed to be able to be there. Maybe it was just the stark contrast of the tawdry 42nd street night and the peaceful, clean beauty of the temple and the atmosphere around that area. I really started crying, I felt so blessed to be there. Justin also ran into our old stake president, and everyone was so kind to me because I was pregnant. It was wonderful! After the temple we went to a nearby cafe for lunch and ate outside. It was beautiful. It really reminded me of the importance of temple attendance and the blessings we get there. Then we headed back up to Pelham to pick up the kids and go home. It was a wonderful weekend. I'm so thankful for Valecia who was willing to take care of the kids. They had a great time too playing with her kids and getting "all sugared up". (yes Valecia they told on you! You are the best!)
Even though it was a little chilly, the boys were still fascinated by the water and kept trying to figure out a way to use the sled as a boat. Luckily no one fell in..
Kelly, Soli, Dominic, Tyler, Samantha, Joey, John, Nathan, Adam, Michelle and Megan.
silly face picture
Building a tunnel in the sand.
Samantha and Dominic getting ready to slide down the hill. Justin and Michelle at the top of the hill.
Joseph and John standing by the Gilbert Belnap sign. He was a son in law to Vincent Knight, and was also with the prophet in Carthage before the martyrdom. He and a few others were sent back to Nauvoo just before the shootings. It said in the pamphlet I read about his life that every year on the anniverary of Joseph Smith's death at the exact hour he had been killed, gilbert would take an hour of silence out of respect for the prophet. 
Joeseph, Nathan, Michelle, John and Samantha at the gravesite of the prophet Joseph Smith and Hyrum.
A bullet hole in the door to the prophet's room at Carthage.
Gravesites of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith. Lt to rt. Samantha, Joseph, Michelle, John and Nathan.
Children's band and parade in Nauvoo at the "Sunset on the River" show at night. After this show, the BYU young ambasadors performed. They were amazing! I was grouchy and tired and almost didn't go to the last show, but am so glad Justin took the kids for a few minutes so I could recharge. It was definately worth seeing. The best part though, was watching Samantha dance on the sidelines. She was in heaven. At the end we realized that one of the girls was my really good friend Valecia's sister. It was fun to talk to her for a few minutes after the show. It's such a small world. 
The kids waiting for the show "Just Plain anna Amanda to start" It was perfect for them. I still hear Michelle sing the theme song to it every once in awhile. It definately made an impression on her. 
Samantha at the pioneer village. 
Michelle and "Beanbag". The nickname Michelle has given her sister since she was in utero.
