27 hours on the Amtrak train! Colorado bound with a family of 6! (April 1, 2014)

Although it was wonderful to have so much family out for the baptism and blessing, two very important people were missing. Grandma Karen and Papa Rigg had bought their tickets to come out but Grandpa's health had prevented him from making the flight. He still hadn't met Nori and since they couldn't come to us, we decided to bring the family to them!

But how to travel with an autistic child who can't handle the sensation of being buckled in on an airplane (or a car for longer than 20 minutes) or the pressure from taking off and landing, and a newborn nursing baby? We found the answer in the amtrak train. Cam is absolutely obsessed with trains so this was the perfect solution. He wouldn't have to be buckled down and he could live eat and breathe trains in real life for 27 hours straight. Sounded like the perfect adventure!

The train had observation cars with tables to play games or color on, sleeping cars to rest in, and dining cars to eat in. The kids could travel back and forth between the cars to their hearts content. 

Cam loved exploring the train and was very happy not to be wearing a seat belt. 

 

Meal times were a nice way to break up the time. The food, while nothing amazing, wasn't horrible either. Better than the junk we'd be eating on a road trip at the gas stations for sure!

 Cam was absolutely in his element on the train. 

He spent hours staring out the windows, playing with play dough and bubbles, and best of all, playing with trains on a train. 

 Since sleeping car tickets were super expensive we only bought one sleeping car for me Cam and Nori, and regular seats for Taber and the girls. Not the most comfortable way to catch some zzzzs but they did okay for naps. 

 At night though we just crammed everyone but Taber in the sleeping room because it had a double and a twin bunk, and we figured with tiny people they would all fit. 

 And fit they did! The trains constant movement helped rocked the babies to sleep and they actually slept surprisingly well considering being out of their routine and crammed into two little bunk beds. 

 In the morning we woke up to gorgeous views of the Colorado river and red rock mountains. We were getting closer!

The kids spent the morning just chilling in the their pjs and watching movies in the observation car. 

They colored, read books, watched DVDs and even visited with the conductor. Time flew by and before we knew it we were pulling into Grand Junction!

We were greeted at the train station by Papa Rigg. The kids were so happy and excited to see him! It was a fun way to travel and we couldn't wait to spend our Spring Break with Grandma and Grandpa Rigg. 

Nori's Baby Blessing: March 30th 2014

On March 30th, 2014 we blessed our baby Nori

Have you ever seen a more angelic little face?

The blessing was the day after Teya's baptism so Teya was also confirmed a member of the church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost through a priesthood ordinance given by her Daddy.

It was a very special Sunday for our two girls in white. 

It was great to have Grandma and Grandpa Uda there, as well as Aunt Naomi and Uncle Kevin and their girls. Taber gave Nori a beautiful blessing and the one thing that stuck out to me the most was when he said, "Nori, you have a work to do here." It struck me deeply that Nori was sent here with a mission and a purpose, and I hope I can do everything possible as her mother to prepare her for that. 

After the blessing Grandma and Grandpa just soaked in as much baby snuggles and grandkid time as they could. 

I loved having our home full of family. Nothing makes me happier. 

We are so very grateful for wonderful supportive family and grandparents who always make an effort to be at every milestone. I hope our kids know just how lucky they are.

Teya's Baptism: March 29th 2014

On March 29th 2014 our beautiful little Teya choose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

 It was hard to believe our first born baby was already old enough to be baptized. 

At 8 years old she was growing into such a lovely and spiritually mature little girl. We were so happy she made the decision to be baptized.  

Grandma and Grandpa Uda flew out to Chicago from Utah to be there for Teya's special day. It was a really big deal that they could be there because Grandma had been in the hospital and had many health complications from a car accident that resulted in a painful neck surgery that left her with some awful side affects including seizures. Despite all she had been through it was such a blessing that she was able to make it out for the baptism. 

It was also her first time meeting Nori since her surgery kept her from flying out when Nori was born. It was love at first sight for both of them. 

We didn't waste any time putting Grandpa to work to help prepare for the baptism. I think we wiped him out pretty good. 

 On the day of the baptism we went to the church in our Sunday best. 

Teya looked beautiful in her white dress. 

Naomi and Kevin drove up with their girls and it was so fun to have cousins there!

 We had a great turn out from our ward and the neighboring St. Charles ward. Teya also invited our neighbors and some friends from school who weren't members of our church. It was a great missionary opportunity for her to be able to share her testimony with them. 

 As part of the program Teya, Brinley, Cam and Brooklyn and Lily sang Families can be Together forever. 

 Then Grandpa Uda gave a wonderful talk about baptism. 

Mommy also gave a talk about the Holy Ghost and presented Teya with a baptism jar that sister Burgess from our New Hampshire ward had sent out in the mail with little symbols to remind Teya of the covenants she was making. 

 Then Daddy got to take Teya into the baptismal font and baptize her. 

It was a very special moment. 

 Afterwards Grandma and Aunt Naomi made some sandwiches and refreshments for our guests.

Teya enjoyed eating and chatting with all her friends who came to support her. 

It was also really nice to have the Morgan family, who had recently moved from New Hampshire to Illinois make the hour drive from their new home to support Teya. 

 And of course Teya was beaming to have her Grandparents there. 

Jess and Henry, our neighbors who aren't members of our church gave Teya a beautiful journal and a sweet card congratulating her on her baptism. It was really sweet to see how loved she was by everyone who came. 

 Later that evening Teya got to top off her day by attending the first General women's broadcast for our church where all girls ages 8 and up were invited. 

It was awesome to be there with Grandma and auntie Naomi. 

 It was a very special day and one that I'm sure our little Teya will never forget. 

St Patricks Day 2014

St. Patricks Day is always more fun to celebrate when you have a tiny human to dress up. 

Nori totally rocked Cam's old Froggie jammies, a gift from aunt Scarlet. Nobody's gonna be pinching this little babe!

 Brinley also looked extra specially cute in her neon green tutu

Of course it was the leprechaun beard and hat she made at school that totally took the look to the next level. We don't go too crazy on St. Patty's day around here but it's always fun dressing the kids up in green. 

Riding Trains with Daddy 3-15-14

When Nori was born the transition to big brother was a little tough on Cam. 

Cam is a an uber fanatic train lover, so Taber decided to take him for some rides on the Metra since there was station 5 minutes from our house. Cam LOVED the train rides and it kind of became Cam and Daddy's Saturday thing for a few weeks. 

He was pretty over the moon to be on a real life actual train! His trains were excited to ride the train too. 

Their train adventures took them to some pretty cool Chicago suburbs

Cam had a blast running around, chasing geese, and getting his energy out. 

Mostly though I think he just loved having one on one time with Daddy.