Are We There Yet?

So we were off! We were making pretty good time, but Matt had some fun ideas to keep us from going nuts. I don't know how many of you have had the "privilege" of driving though Kansas, but about half way through you start seeing signs for: "Come see the 6-legged cow", and "8,000 pound prairie dog." So you gotta stop right?!?! Who doesn't want to see that? Well, we did and boy did we have a little red-neck fun at "Prairie Dog Town!" See for yourself...

The first thing you see when you walk in is this enormous rattlesnake hanging on the wall. Some guy found it in Mexico. It lived for awhile in the rattlesnake pit below it (that cage Emma is looking in is FULL of rattlesnakes... don't even go there) but he got to big so they stuffed him. What a nice keep sake, right! 

Then you head outside where the "animals" are. There are prairie dogs EVERYWHERE.

What prairie dog, mom?

So this was normal... just feeding the goats!

K- so now what we came for right... the 6-legged cow!!! No kidding here he his. (the extra two legs are growing out just under his tail... that took some explaining!!)

And not only was there a 6-legged cow, but a 5-legged one too. (his extra leg is growing out of his shoulder... again a little explaining was needed for Emma)!

Now for the 8,000 pound prairie dog...

Ha, ha very funny!!

Then back inside for some more freakiness:

A 2-headed calf... a 2-headed Coleman!!

Matt always knew there were "jackalopes"... Now he has proof!

Know seriously, don't laugh to hard at us... you know you'd stop too. And to be honest we'll probably stop again!!

After our little "side-show" stop, we were off through Colorado where we had another delay:

I knew we were making pretty good time... I just realize how good until an observant highway patrolman told us!! Way to go, dear!!! (Hey there's Tal :)...)

Finally... Utah!!!

We made it!! With the "Welcome" sign my mom had hanging on the front porch, we knew we were going to have a great time. 

Just about the first thing Emma wanted to do when we got to Fillmore was "go to the farm!!" My dad was MORE then happy to take her!! She LOVES it down there. 

She got to drive the tractor (with grandpa's help). Very cool!!

Look and that good lookin' hay. My dad's so proud!!!

Then we took a trip to Thanksgiving Point. There is such a fun little petting zoo there. Emma had a blast... this kind of thing is right up her alley!!

Emma went right to work milking the cow. How did she know to do that...?

This was the coolest peacock. He was huge. One of the workers came by and gave Emma one of it's feathers. And of course she made sure that made the trip home with us!!

Just a close-up of the monster peacock. He was a big boy!!!

Who doesn't love a pony ride?

There was also a dinosaur exhibit there, but we only went in there to eat some yummy "dinno nuggets!"

Emma found a new hobby... gardening. My dad had her help him plant two more rows of corn. She loved it so much she started "planting" everything. She would take the big shovel, dig a hole, and burry rocks, grass, and the little green apples that had fallen off the trees. Every day she did this and loved every minute!

This was so fun for her. It reminded me so much of me when I was growing up... although, most of the time I wasn't as excited as she was!!!

Next was the 4-wheeler ride. Matt and my dad went on a long ride, so the next day Emma thought she needed a turn, but she had to look just right...

Yes, she found one of the dresses my mom and made for me when I was little, and being the dress-up queen that she is she had to wear it... and apparently it was just the look she was going for for her jaunt on the 4-wheeler!!

Graaaandpaaaaa! I'm ready... where are you?

And they're off!!

Then it was up the canyon we go to do a little fishing. Here is Matt and Emma waiting it out. No luck, but grandpa let her reel one in!!

Emma loves the dirt. So why do I always have her in a white shirt when she's around it... very good question!!! We definitely need a sandbox!! 

We had such a fabulous time with my parents! We love them so much!

Temple Square

We were able to spend some time on Temple Square. It was just as beautiful as always. The spirit is so inviting here, even Emma could feel it. 

One of the sweet Sister missionaries at the Temple gave Emma a picture of Jesus. She had to pose for a picture with it. She made sure bring it all the way home with us too!

One of the most amazing sights at Temple Square is the statue of the Christus. Emma was in awe at the magnificence and beauty of everything she saw. There's nothing better then to see that light in a child's eyes!

We had to pose for a shot in front of the majestic doors to the temple. Yes, Emma is being a ballerina! Gotta love her!

(It was raining, so if we look a little damp, that's why)!

A New Aunt and a New Cousin!!

Two very special things happened while we were out there! 

Matt's brother Nate found a beautiful girl named Jasmine while going to school, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple. It was a wonderful day! We are so happy for them! Congratulations!!!

Emma couldn't wait to see Uncle Nate and her new Aunt Jasmine!

Then the day before we had to leave to travel home, my wonderful sister Lindsay and her husband Lance had a beautiful baby girl: Alexandra Marie Harris! Being able to see the three of them was, for me, truly one of the highlights of our trip. Alex is such a blessing to them, and I couldn't be happier for anyone. She is so precious. Plus, I'M FINALLY AN AUNT and Emma and Tal finally have a cousin!!

We are so thankful for the newest members of our family. We love you all!!

What a wonderful trip! We had such a great time every day that we were there. Matt and I enjoyed thinking back on the fun years we spent in Utah and all the wonderful people we knew! We never get to see everyone that we'd like too, but even though we didn't get to see you, we definitely thought of you. We are already excited for the next trip out there!

Memory Tag...

We thought we would join in the fun! Leave a comment on our blog of a memory you have had with/of Matt, Angeline, or us together. It doesn't matter if you've known us for a short time or you've known us forever... just let us know what you remember!! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many memories people come up with. It's fun to see the responses. Ready.... get set.... leave a memory!!!

"A good old Missouri thunderstorm?!?!"

Good... I think not! I'm not sure that I'll ever get used to these. They are freaky... there is just no other word for it. The clouds seem to roll on top of each other as the wind tries to blow your house down. Then the rain comes. And it comes and it comes and it comes until there is at least a couple inches of water running down the street. Then 10 minuets later... birds singing, sun shining, clouds floating. Give it a couple of hours and you do it all again. Ahhhhhhh....! That's "good old" Missouri weather for ya!!!   

4th of July....?

The 4th of July was one of my favorite holidays growing up. My little town of Fillmore, Ut always put on a great show: a parade (that I was usually in for some reason...), celebrations in the park, and a fabulous fireworks show... so pretty much like every other town I've ever known. Well I think I've found the only place in the U.S.  that doesn't do a thing on the 4th of July, except a wimpy little fireworks show at night. And I live here... Washington, MO. Who doesn't celebrate the 4th... well we don't!! There is a reason for this however. This reason is why most people here get up in the morning, because it brings them one day closer to... THE FAIR! I'm serious. The Washington Town and Country Fair is the first thing people here will tell you about if they know you are new to the area. They pull out all the stops for this celebration: parades, contests, fireworks galore (good ones too, every night), a carnival, petting zoos, concerts (by popular artists I might add), and tons and tons of the greasiest food ever invented for 5 whole days. Sounds fun right? Well it is, cause we went last year and we'll probably go again this year. It's not until the first part of August, but it definitely takes the place of the 4th. Oh well!!!

So to celebrate, we had a ward party at the church and it was a lot of fun. Then instead of going to see the fireworks, you're better off just watching your neighbors! So that's we did, and they were pretty good (there's a fireworks stand or tent selling the really good stuff about every other 2 feet as you drive down the road out here. There are some serious piro maniacs out here apparently)!!! So I didn't go completely without a little sparkle in the sky I guess! I hope the rest of you had at least a "little firecracker" this year!!

The Magic House and Chuck E. Cheese!

Woo... reading the title makes me tired, but it was fun. This last weekend we decided to do something fun with Emma, and I think we accomplished our goal! The Magic House really is a "magical" place here in St. Louis for little kids. We've been there before, but Emma could go back to again and again.

Loving the sand inside!

That fishing at "Emma's pond" out at Grandpa and Grandma's paid off!!

Here is Emma doing a little grocery shopping in the pretend village! 
Take it to the cashier. And a cute one at that! I'll have to catch his name!!
Wow! Check out that bill!! And she's learning early to pay with Daddy's credit card... good girl!
Then it is off to the outside to play in the giant sandbox. And Emma went to work.

And she worked...
and worked...

and FINALLY look what she did!!!

K- so really she just buried my feet!

Mama's girl!

Then it was off to Chuck E. Cheese, and the Mouse himself was there!

Tal finally woke up and seemed to be enjoying himself at Chuck's too!

It was a full day of "kiddie joy" and well worth it! And we could tell how much fun Emma had when she fell asleep at 6:00 that night!

Flying...

"I'm flying like a bird!" Yes you are Emma. You are growing into such a sweet, beautiful little girl and the time is "flying!" I enjoy these moments more then you know! I'm so happy with all that you are learning and doing, just don't fly to fast!!

Golfing and Fishing

I've had these pictures for awhile, but wanted to remember Emma's first time golfing and fishing. Matt recently took up golfing. "It's a business expense..." supposedly! And we all now it takes practice to make perfect, so he and Emma went to practice hitting "way far" according to Emma. 

Every time we would go to Target Emma always ended up over by the fishing equipment drooling over a Princess fishing pole. I put it off as long as I could, but after I had Tal Grandma Coleman surprised her with it (good timing I think)! So here she is testing it out on Grandpa's lake. "Mom, sometimes when you go fishing you don't catch a fish!" But I still think she had a great time thanks to Matt!

The 3 sleeping Coleman's...

I've had this picture awhile and had forgotten to post it! That's right Nate, Tal and Matt all snoozin' away-for about 3 hours (I kid you not)!! They talked about that nap for the rest of the day... they must have been pretty proud! Hey guys, where's my nap? I guess I couldn't have taken the picture if I was sawing logs too, right!!! Good job boys!