Make time to view this post...it's a long one.

Let's start where we left off....This is Lane playing at our ward talent show a couple months ago.

Amelia's Dance pictures

 Trent's Grandma Shelton's Funeral

 Amelia's Dance Recital

 A little tea party

 Brayden receiving his Wolf...kinda funny because as part of the ceremony

they paint your face and Brayden wouldn't let them:)

 Lane's Kindergarten Graduation

 Last days of snuggle time with Grandpa Webb

 Last trip to the Denver Zoo

 Kids LOVED feeding the Lorakeets

 Amelia's Last Dance Class...Savanna itching to join in!

 Thanks to Uncle Brian, we inherited some super cool Ninja costumes...

Kids have had a ton of fun in them.

 Grandpa teaching kids how to fry ants with a magnifying glass...

Thanks Dad!

 Final days of Denver fun!

 LET THE MOVE BEGIN!

First stop...Winter Quarters.

 WQ Visitor's Center

 WQ Cemetary

Tabernacle

 Independence, MO Hotel

Hmmm...where do you think he gets this?

 I wonder...

 Not funny at the moment, but now a little...Amelia zipped her up in this extra blanket bag and then the zipper broke off so Trent had to rip the bag with some fingernail clippers to get her out.

 Good morning Sunshine!  This is when she popped up out of bed the next morning.

 I don't think she got enough sleep.

 But someone else sure looks peaceful.

 The novelty of the continental breakfast wore off after 7 days

but this was an exciting morning.

 Independence Visitor's Center

 Adam-Ondi-Ahman

 Nauvoo Cabin...Yes, all 8 of slept in the same room,

in a bunk bed and king.

 Making our own rope

 Pioneer games

 Carthage Jail

I wonder if the pioneers let their kids do this?????

 Trail of Tears/Hope

 Kids beat us to the Mississippi river...

and didn't think to take off their shoes first.  Argh! 

 One of my most favorite moments on this trip.  Beautiful sunset

and a large field across the street to play tag and enjoy the view.

 If we were a little closer, this cat (C.C. for Cute Cat)

would have probably come with us.  She was a stray at our cabin. 

Couldn't keep kids away from her and she was super nice.

 Dayton, Ohio stop

 Texas Road House across the street...Brayden was in heaven.

 Kirtland Temple

 Niagra Falls

 Maid of the Mist...amazing!

 Hill Cumorah

 Joseph Smith House and Farm

 Sacred Grove

 MOVING IN!  Yikes!

 Lane's turn to be in Heaven!

 Brayden too..."Nature Boy!"

 Trent has wasted no time in working in the yard.  He and his dad went straight to mowing the lawn, digging trails in the forest, stacking wood, setting up the hoop, trampoline, and clearing a path for the zip line.  I guess the house will have to wait.

I think they will love it here.  It will take a little adjusting for me I think to get used to country living with weird things like well water, septic tanks, and little creatures all over the place.  Hopefully a tour of Trent's jungle will be coming shortly to entice all to come visit if we haven't already been able to convince you already.  We need help finishing the basement too.

Getting Closer

We move in exactly 7 weeks.  The countdown has officially begun.  We really like it here in Colorado, but are so excited to start fresh in New Hampshire.  We closed on our house that we bought so now it seems so much more real and close.  

We are up to the usual stuff.  Keeping busy and as always, a lot of traveling.  Here is a recap. 

In February, Trent and I took a little get-a-way with some of our friends from med school to California.  It was a fun time.  Six Flags and Universal Studios, although I wouldn't waste my time or money to go to Universal...total waste.  Thanks family for watching the kids!

 This is Amelia having fun hand painting in shaving cream at the Joy School we are involved in.



 Once a month, we try and take the kids on an outing alone with just Trent or myself.  Amelia and I went on a picnic and she got her very first Happy Meal.  Needless to say, she was so elated (mainly because she got chocolate milk and a pony).

Brayden participated in Mallets and Movers at school.

 Lane also took a beginning TaeKwonDo class but for some reason I am missing pictures so I will have to find them later.

In March, Trent took the boys for a week and went to Vale on a Man Trip.  Those pictures are MIA also, so I will add them when I find them.

When they got home, I took all the kids to Cody on a quick trip.  Whether in Vale or Cody, they always make good memories with their grandparents...

 and aunts and uncles.

Flying kites at the park

 Then at the beginning of April, we went to North Dakota. Trent was working and the rest of us tagged along to visit some old friends and keep him company.  Staying in a hotel for 4 days is always so much fun...for the KIDS.

 Easter Egg hunt with our ND friends. 

I guess that brings us to May, almost.  We have had so many learning opportunities here in Colorado over the past 8 months.  When I think back to the time when we were trying to make the decision whether to come to Colorado or stay in ND, it was difficult to see what the Lord was thinking.  We originally intended to stay in ND, but at the last moment, the Lord made it clear that was the wrong choice.  Now in hind-sight, it is crystal clear what our purpose here was and why it was needed.  That is a really wonderful feeling to know that the Lord is directing our lives if we are willing to listen.  And, at least for me, to know that He loves me enough to care what I'm doing.  I needed to be here for my own spiritual growth and hopefully I made a difference to someone else along the way.  That is a testimony to me of His love.  Life isn't easy and I have my daily trials and struggles (mainly with parenting) just like we all do, but at least I know I am trying my best and that is acceptable to Him. 

Just A Side Note

January has been a fun month...maybe we got a little too comfortable. Trent got a call Thursday night at 10pm and moments later he was asked to be the 1st counselor in the Bishopric. It's all good, but very unexpected. It will only be for short time as we are still moving to New Hampshire in June. My dad ordained him to be High Priest. It's interesting how the Lord works...obviously not by logic. However, things have fallen into place that can't simply be explained by coincidence. As Trent and I have looked back on the past 5 years, we have seen the Lord choose our path despite what we had planned on. Needless to say, every situation has been all for the better and we have had amazing life experiences. I'm sure there is a reason for this.