Sarah and Alex flew into Cedar Rapids on Cow Appreciation Day. We ate (FREE!) dinner as a family, then I went to go pick them up and speedily return them to the mall before the deal closed at 7:00.
Sadly, there was an accident on the interstate, so with extra traffic we got to CFA at 7:30, and I'm pretty sure we were the first cows that were denied a free meal. So Alex purchased some nuggets and we went to our home in Coralville. I think I was more sad about them missing out on a freebie than the Engars were.
The next day we went to the Children's Museum! It really is one of the shining stars of Iowa City. Here you see
The Blue Room.
Target--eating popcorn and holding hands.
Cousin Lovin.
The Engars wanted to experience Nauvoo and they had some awesome extra credit card rewards to buy us a couple rooms next to each other at the Hilton in Keokuk, IA (about a 30 min drive to Nauvoo). Here we are enjoying the pool while they went to the pageant on the first night.
The next day Brian and I celebrated our 6th year anniversary by performing sealings at the temple. We snuck out early before anyone else was up and cracked open the hotel room door so Sarah and Alex could wake up to two extra children. It was a pretty slick way to go on a temple run.
Learning about Oxen.
Catching some zzzzzz's.
This little girl I didn't know was very strict on how I was dressed in her small pioneer home. It was hot.
Thanking the horses for our ride.
The next morning, Sarah and Alex ran to a session, and we woke up to all the cute children.
After we ate two breakfasts and checked out of the hotel, we headed to Carthage Jail for our last Hurrah in IL.
This area was particularly special, even though we were definitely the loudest visitors in the tour group. This quote was rather stunning, I thought.
So fun to go to church with your cousins!
Sunday dinner.
On Monday we visited Sugar Bottom Beach. Brian had to work, but we still had a fantastic time.
The girls helped me make bread sticks on the rainy day before the Engars left.
Scarlett took this fantastic picture of Sarah. I love it!
These were the last hugs and tears before Sarah, Alex, Ellie, and Abby left Iowa. Scarlett bawled with they walked out the door. It was cute, and sad.
