Our Sweetheart

Cara, we are so proud of you. We love how much you enjoy expressing your feelings in writing.

You are creative and caring. I love going shopping, getting pedicures, doing your hair, having nighttime cuddles and all the things we girls share. You have the voice of an angel and the mind of a scholar. As much as we want you to stay little forever, we are enjoying watching you grow into a beautiful young lady!

Baptism

Cara's Baptism was a special event. We loved having so much family there to share this special occasion with her.

Cara looked forward to this day EAGERLY!

2 months is a long time for an 8 year old.

Having all her living great grandparents present was worth the wait.

Kenecot Copper Mine

Wells Fargo Depot!

The boys found A LOT of crickets.

the much anticipated Horse Carriage ride. We all soaked it in as our last Nauvoo experience!

Fishing on the Mississippi

Carthage Jail

As we talked with my sister-in-law, Ann Marie about our visit to Carthage Jail, she wondered what our ancestors who lived through the tragedy of the death of the prophet Joseph Smith
think of us visiting this place as a vacation. It really was a tragedy, but the prophet himself said it was his time. He knew the Lord would preserve him until his purpose was fulfilled. Now so many years later we can see how others have been blessed doing their part in the work. Joseph couldn't do everything. Others needed to learn what he had through their own experience. Standing on the very ground Joseph and Hyrum had on that night brought that part of history alive for Nate, me and the kids. I am certain the Saints who suffered with his death are pleased we take the time to remember and realize the gospel the Lord restored through Joseph and they fought so hard to keep alive is real!

The kids thought this missionary looked like Grandpa Allen. I agree.

Funny thing is, we realized that the Pitchforths on the Wilkey side of the family lived on this very spot. They only lived there for 5 months before they were forced to leave their home and head west to Salt Lake.

Temple

Nate and I each did some temple work while we were there.

It was lovely! There is dark woodwork all over. The murals inside are exquisite. As you enter there is an assembly hall, like the Kirtland Temple. Then you walk up a spiral staircase to the dressing rooms. I was just touched from the moment I entered and it increased as I progressed through and all the way to walking out the front door to a beautiful view of the Mississippi River. It took my breath away. It brought me to tears. I thought of all our ancestors who have passed on to a heavenly life. Some of them were a part of this place. There are moments I feel like I'm at a crossroad where the past and the future come together. This was one of them. I love my family tree. I love my roots. I love my husband and the foundation we are trying to build on. I love our children and our future family waiting to come join in on the fun! Here at the temple, the whole family tree comes together!!!

Until we reach the Valley-o

Some will push and some will pull....

Parade

The kids got to start out a pre-pageant show with a parade. The weather was warm and wonderful!

Nauvoo

Ryan was so excited to get dressed up like a Pioneer. The tree jumped out and scraped his heal, and I got no pictures of him dressed up for the few minutes he left them on. :(

The kids had a lot of fun playing these pioneer games and in the pioneer play cabin. Cara even hung laundry on the line.

Most Crooked road in the World.

Burlington Iowa.
Amazig thing is, the road is original from the 1890's and we drove down it! It is so constructed so well, it has kept up all these years.