my LIST.

It isn't a fair comparison to compare my life over the past few years with my new life in Iowa.  You see, they are just too different. You can't compare an apple with ice cream. It just doesn't work. Both are great in their own way. So being in Boston, I was always on the go.... seeing new places, traveling to random destinations, checking out the city life... constantly with a list of things to do, to see, and places to eat..... In St. George I had my family around and Adam had more free time :) .... now here we are in Iowa trying to make the most of our surroundings.  It's not that this place is bad..... just different. I am having to train myself to come up with activities around these parts. So today I came up with a small TO DO list of activities I'm going to accomplish.  
1. Head to Dyersville, IA to go to 'The Field of Dreams' movie site.  "If you build it, they will come"  Right?  Awesome movie.   

2. Visit the 'Amana Colonies .'  These colonies are a group of settlements of radical German Pietists (or I guess something similar to the Amish settlements?)  I don't really know what exactly there is to see here but I'll find out. I imagine just a lot of little shops and places to eat good home cookin' food.

3. Kalona Historical Village - and cheese factory. More Mennonite and Amish stuff.   
4. John Deere Factory Tour- this is for my Dad when he comes back to visit. I had to have something to draw him out here. 

5. Herbert Hoover Museum: --- this one really isn't on the top of my list, or really the bottom either. More of just something to do.    
6. Pella Tulip Time Festival  I have to wait to May to do this one..... but when the time does it should be a good time.

7. Chicago. Since it isn't too far away I am hoping to make multiple trips..... and I have lots on my to-do list once I get there. (any one have favorite things to do in chicago?)  
8. Also since Nauvoo is so close, hoping to make many more trips down there. Especially to go to the temple.  

I've really been putting off these things because I know when someone actually comes to visit they are going to want something to do.....  so these are your choices! 

Also here's a little of what we have been up to the last few weeks.  We celebrated Adam's birthday by going on a "Hike."  Not our typical Utah hiking...  I would call it more going for a walk around a lake and up hills.  It was very beautiful and it was good to get out and see more of the green rolling hills of Iowa. We then went up to Mechanicsville to visit Adam's Grandpa and some other relatives.  We finished up the day by having some birthday cheesecake.  I figured if I made a whole cake, it would only be the two of us, and I would eat way too much. you make less, you eat less. I think his Birthday was a success.

Last weekend I was able to go back to St. George for a quick trip to do Family stuff.  I left Adam here to get smarter, while I enjoyed time with my family. I got to meet my new little niece, Claire for the first time! She is adorable.  I had a great time just hanging with the fam.  Always good times and good weather. Love and miss ya family.    

As for here in Iowa, I think we are all settled in.  Adam stays pretty busy with school-learning all kinds of useful and some not so useful stuff, doing homework, group projects, MBA activities, and trying to keep up with college football and politics. I love Sundays cause its the one day I get him to myself...  As for me I can't say that I have grown a deep love for Iowa... yet... I would consider it more in the Like category-- improving every day. :) The people out here are great and we have already enjoyed getting go know lots of new people in our ward. We're looking forward to making many more good friends.  


So thats that.