Here we go!

I am starting this blog for several reasons. First, it is for my sisters and extended family who feel like we just stole their babies and ran off to Indiana. Now they will be able to keep up with all the happenings of the Smith clan. Second, for my new friends who are so persuasive in convincing me that blogging is the thing to do. And lastly, but most important, as a journal for our little family to enjoy for years to come. I am so excited to do this and hope that everyone else can enjoy this blog as they get to know us and experience the craziness of our lives! I don't know exactly where to start so I will just start with our move out here and go from there. We moved to Fishers, Indiana the first weekend in December and are already loving it here! Driving across the country with just me and the 3 kids was an adventure in itself but the kids really did a great job in the car for so long. We enjoyed our fun "trip bags" full of new toys, books, and goodies to keep each child entertained (thanks to my sisters for helping me put those together). Every night we would stop early, eat dinner in our awesome hotel rooms, and head to the swimming pools for hours of fun (not to leave until we all looked like prunes!). On our second day of traveling we stopped to get gas in the middle of pretty much nowhere and I had to take a picture of the sign on the gas station to prove that we had been nowhere that day! As excited as we were to finally be with our daddy, we still had to get through a long drive with alot of very boring scenery. I think next time we make the trip it will be on an airplane and done in only a few hours! Day 3 of driving brought us to a wonderful place. We stopped in Nauvoo, IL for the evening and were able to attend a musical done by the missionaries as well as touring a couple of the buildings before we hit the swimming pool. Day 4 of the trip brought a wagon ride through town and lots more touring as we enjoyed cookies from the bakery, making rope, and bread! We had so much fun that we were almost tempted to stay in our 10 person suite just one more night. Instead we made our way to Carthage to see the jailhouse. Madison had an especially wonderful experience there as she was able to feel the spirit very strongly during the presentation. We pulled into Fishers around 11:30 that night and ran inside the hotel to see our dad!! What a great reunion it was, and a great start to our newest adventure..... Indiana! (which is definately better than nowhere!)