Trip to Nauvoo

This past weekend we were able to go to Nauvoo again. We had so much fun going to the plays they have, the oxen ride, the carriage ride, the temple, all the sites, etc. We were able to go a few years ago, but it was great going again to see the things that we weren't able to make it to the first time. It is such a beautiful city. The temple is just amazing inside and out.



It was so fun, we got to stay in this little cabin one night. We found out that a family went there to visit and decided they wanted to move there since they liked it so much and they started a cabin/hotel business. We thought it was a fun idea. I guess they name the cabin after a family from way back that lived there. They would use all the old wood and totally fix it up to the way it use to be.



This is a picture of Joseph and Hyrum Smith leaving Nauvoo, on their way to Carthage Jail. Joseph knew he wouldn't be coming back to Nauvoo once he left. What sacrifices he made for us to have the church. He was an amazing man. Going to Nauvoo is such a great trip to help you realize all that he and all of the pioneers did to keep the church going.






This is the house where Calvin Pendleton lived. He was a doctor that did free work for the people of Nauvoo at that time and a school teacher. He had a great last name. We had to take a picture in front of it being Pendletons. Dave is pretty sure we are related somewhere down the line.




It was so much fun also going to the pagent in Nauvoo which is of course the classic thing to do there. It's pretty crazy what they do to put it on. It goes on for a whole month so you can imagine the sacrifices people go through to put it on.





Jackson wasn't able to see being so low down in his own chair so Dave had a great idea to put his chair in the stroller to be higher up so he could see everything. Dave's always coming up with great ideas.




Going on an Oxen ride. Jackson loved to touch the ox and the horses there. Typical kid that just loves animals. He wasn't too happy to leave them.






We also stopped at Carthage Jail on our way back home. It is just a wonderful place to go in and see even though it is sad to see the place where our dear prophet Joseph Smiths life was taken. He lived great and he died great. People thought they could stop the work from moving forward by killing the prophet, but goes to show you today that that didn't happen. What a remarkable man he was! I would recommend going on this trip to whoever hasn't. What a fun and spiritual trip it is.

Demolition Derby

We all had so much fun at the Demolition Derby this year. We went last year too, the county fair comes every year here in July. There's always good food, rides, animals, and the Demolition Derby that goes on. This years derby was a lot better than last year too. I remember going to them as a kid and loving them and I still enjoy going to them. The kids had a fun time being there too as you can see. They were both really happy and good for us even though it was a late night going to it. A great family tradition to make.









The whole back of this B4 car got so crushed in. All the cars got hit pretty bad. And it was even funner that it was in mud.




Jackson loves playing with Play-Doh, like every child. We made some fun make believe food, a hot dog, chicken, mac n cheese, brownie, and of course, chocolate milk to have for lunch and then of course he had real food.

Happy 3rd Birthday Jackson!

I can't believe my baby boy, Jackson, is already 3 years old. He had such a fun birthday. We went to McDonalds, his favorite place to eat, for lunch and had cupcakes, went to Milk and Cookies at our library, and opened lots of fun gifts from family and friends. He sure got spoiled. I can't believe how fast he's growing. Next thing I know he'll be off to Kindergarten, so sad!









Jackson loved the gator golf that Grandma Shelley got him for his birthday. "Ahhh...it's eating my hand!" he's saying.



It was so much fun making a cake for him this year. I made a Thomas the Train Engine cake for him. I got a few ideas off of the internet and it actually turned out alright I thought for his party that we had for him.





We had a fun birthday party for Jackson at the park next to us with all of his friends. It was a pretty hot day so we had lots of drinks, popsicles, and cake. Jackson got lots of fun gifts from all his friends. We've been so lucky to have such great friends out here where we live. Happy BIG 3rd Birthday Jackson! We love you!