Good news!

Emma has an anouncement!

I've been waiting to do a post on this since June. For those who know me I'm the kind of person who counts my eggs before their hatched...twice maybe three times! Today I had my first doctor appointment so now I feel like I can post about our new addition coming soon.

The official due date is March 25, 2010. Which we find special. Our niece Mara, who passed away a year ago from tomorrow (Sept. 22, 2008), was born on March 26. We just wanted to let Bryan, Heather, Max, Natalie and Katrina know that were thinking about them and wish we could be with them today and tomorrow.

Road Trip!!!!

Day 1!!!!!!

Ephrata Washington to Bozeman Montana

This is Emma just on road 5! She sure got comfy in the car pretty quick!

Here is a black and white in our hotel in Bozeman Montana. She just looked so dang cute.

And another cute shot in the hotel.

Day 2!!!!

Bozeman Montana to Riverton Wyoming

(via Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks)

Emma absolutely loved the buffalo, she was so sad every time we saw them and then drove away. She would yell "buffalo!!!" in the back of the car.

One of the many buffalo herds we saw in Yellowstone.

Emma and Daddy looking at the Lower Falls at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Day 3!!!!

Riverton Wyoming to Rapid City South Dakota

(Via Martin's Cove, Independence Rock, Crazy Horse Monument, and Mt. Rushmore)

Our first stop was Martin's Cove and Devil's Gate. There is a beautiful visitor's center there. I highly recommend a visit (just maybe not with a 2 year old...).

Devil's Gate

Emma hiding from the senior missionary tour guide... In front of Independence Rock. It is huge!

At the Crazy Horse Memorial. It will be cool when it is finished...if they ever finish it...

Day 4!!!!

Rapid City South Dakota to Omaha Nebraska

(Via the Badlands)

So to break up the long drive across South Dakota we decided to take a detour through the Badlands and we are so glad we did! It was amazing! Another must see if you find yourself in the middle of the USA...

Prairie dogs!!!!

Here is a great picture of what the Badlands is all about. Beautiful wind blown cliffs and miles and miles of grassland, and the occasional buffalo or prairie dog. Emma going double binkie during the drive.

Day 5!!!!

Omaha Nebraska to Keokuk Iowa

(Via Missouri)

Our first stop was Independence Missouri. We stopped at the visitor's center and had a great time at the kid section. Best visitor's center ever!

We also saw the Community of Christ "Spiral Temple" across the street and the old temple lot across the corner from the visitor's center.

We then headed north to Liberty and saw the Libert Jail. The jail is now housed in a really cool visitor's center. They take you down next to the jail and play some quotes. It was a very spiritual place.

We then headed further north to Far West and the temple site with corner stones still in place.

We then went further north to Adam-Ondi-Ahman. This is by far my must see of the trip. It was absolutely beautiful.

Looking down into the valley.

Leisha might kill me for this picture but I think she looks as beautiful as the valley.

Emma of course was very reverent...

Day 6!!!!

Nauvoo Illinois

(all day...)

We started the day at Carthage Jail.

Emma at the window the Prophet Joseph fell from.

Emma was running around the room (and the sister missionary) and sitting in the fireplace. Looking at the window Joseph was shot through, through the bullet hole in the door that killed Hyrum. We then headed to Nauvoo and decided to let Emma (and Leisha...) run around in front of the temple.

These are at the visitor's center and the statue garden. Emma liked playing on the statues.

I like this picture of Emma and Leisha.

After dinner we drove back to Nauvoo for some sunset and nighttime pictures. This one is along the Mississippi River.

This is the statue of Joseph and Hyrum in front of the temple.

The Nauvoo Temple at night.

Keep going for day 7!!!

Day 7!!!!

Keokuk Iowa to Maumee Ohio

(via nothing special!)

Emma chilling out in the hotel in Keokuk before we took off. She looks pretty comfy!

It also happened to be Leisha's birthday. Oddly enough it was also the most boring day. We just drove and had no big stops. I am not sure if that was a good or bad thing, the day was sure pretty laid back!

Anyhow, I thought I would throw up some old pictures of Leisha to show how much I love her (or how stupid I am to put up pictures of her!).

At a Mariners game.

After the dye job! My French beauty! Keep going for day 8!!

Day 8!!!!

Maumee Ohio to Geneva New York!!!!

(with a stop in Kirtland Ohio)

We think Emma doesn't like the sun while she is in the car...

We made a stop in Kirtland and walked around the historic "village" owned by the church. This is the Whitney Store where many revelations were given to Joseph Smith.

Emma of course was very reverent...

We hit the magic 100,000 mile mark! It has taken us 5 years, but we did it and we have another trip across the country next spring!

Well we are finally home and you are finally done reading this long set of posts!