Dove Hunting

Tyler came for a visit! 

Friday night he got in and Saturday when the kids woke up they were surprised! So fun!

Saturday - The Dove Hunt

Mimi and Papa got us all camo :)

Topher and Maddie were "bird-dogging" for Tyler and Papa.

Caroline talked to and rubbed the birds. When she saw the bullet hole she looked up, like she was offended, walked over to her dad and said "You hurt that birds feelings!" She then returned to her birds and told them it was okay they were pretty.

August hates shoes. He cried until they were off. Then he cried because he missed his nap. Over all he is not a fan of dove hunting.

Papa claims 48 birds shot. :)

Topher and Papa just ate dove salad croissant sandwiches. Topher really liked the meat. 

 Maddie found a cool mushroom.

 Caroline was showing me all the pretty feathers on the ground :/

The Road Trip-Early Anniversary-House Hunting-New Job Weekend Plus Our New Home

Tyler had to start work in Minnesota on August 10th. On August 6th Tyler and I loaded up the van, sent the big kids to school and began the trek north. The first day we drove from about 8:30am until 5:00pm (we gained an hour going west). We stopped in a town about an hour south of Nauvoo. Friday we woke up and got on our way quickly so we could sight see in Nauvoo and Carthage.

In Nauvoo we walked around, mostly alone for the bulk of the time. We made rope. Saw Browning guns. Got ginger bread cookies. Learned how wagon wheels were made. And enjoyed being together. As we knew we were not going to be together for our 10 year anniversary - this was it! So we made sure to enjoy the time with no kids and the last few days before a long separation.

 There is a story to this picture - rather embarrassing for me so I'll just post the picture because it amuses me. 

After our walk around Nauvoo we drove past a little waterfall next to the Mississippi and stopped to enjoy how pretty the area was.

It's odd to say we enjoyed Carthage. But it is a special place and worth the time to visit. 

We got to Kristen's house late Friday night. We talked for a little while but got into bed rather quickly because we had a full day of house hunting. Saturday we looked at 16 houses (a lot) with out much luck. Sunday we looked at 11 more and found two we kind of liked. But it was late. I flew home early in the morning and Tyler had his first day of work. We decided to sleep on it. So Monday night we made an offer on one of the homes - but two other offers were on it and they went with one of those.

I spent the next week find homes for Tyler to go look at. He went out Thursday and Saturday. Saturday he found a home that looked good. With my go ahead he made an offer, above listing because that is what kind of market it is :(

Sunday night the offer was accepted. 

Here are a few pictures of the home. I need to paint :) But it meets the kids requirements of a big yard. My requirements of good schools and large ward. So all in all, I think it will be a good home to us. We close on September 25th! I can't wait to have our family together.