Here We Go

So it's Tuesday and Kyle says let's go to New York and leave on Friday. We can drive there and see a bunch of family and friends and show the kids New York. Me: "You are joking right?" Well, he wasn't so we rearranged everything for the next two weeks, packed up all 7 of us and hit the road.

At first it was really exciting. Lots of movies, music, snacks and hours and hours of driving.

After driving for two days and not much sleep, (thank you Ryder for keeping us all up so we packed up and hit the road again at 4 am).  It ended up being very fortunate because we made it to Carthage and Nauvoo early and were able to spend the whole evening there. 

Our first stop was Carthage Jail. We walked through the jail house and sat in the very same room where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred.

These were some of the actual chains from 1844.

Looking out the tiny slits they had for windows.

Sitting by the window Joseph was shot through.

They were tall men.

Across from the Nauvoo temple is this statue and plaque. The temple sits on a hill and has the most beautiful view. This was one of my favorite things we were able to visit.

The Nauvoo Temple.

Down in the town they were having a little festival where the kids were able to play pioneer games, eat and dance.

We were able to see one of the girls from home who is serving her mission there in Nauvoo.

The next day we made it to Kirtland Ohio and were able to take a tour and see the sights.

Saw Mill.

It is amazing all the things the church has preserved and that we are able to see all these amazing things and places. This is above the store where many amazing things happened.

The Kirtland temple.

Happy 4th & Twins Turn 2

It is always so fun to celebrate the 4th and the twins birthday. We went to the cemetery to send Chase some balloons, had a BBQ, a bounce house, presents, cake, lots of water balloons and those who were still awake ended the night with fireworks. 

I have never worked so hard to get a kid to look at me and smile for pictures.

He was only good if we gave him candy.

 Still wont look at me.

 More candy.

Kaden and Skylee stopped over to see the birthday boy.

Fun in the sun.

Everyone is loaded up for the water balloon fight.

This kid loves cake.

It's all fun and laughs until you get cake in your eyes. This party ended with a shower.