the city of joseph

every few years doug's side of the family travel's to missouri for thanksgiving. this year we decided to head out early and spend a couple of days in nauvoo, illinois. it turned out to be a great time of year to be there. luckily for us, the weather was quite pleasant.

this is the cute little house we stayed in during our visit

we did quite a lot of driving around. it was about a 4 1/2 - 5 hour drive from the airport, and an additional two hours to get to the lodge in missouri. we did all of our traveling in this 15 passenger van. the kids loved it! it was nice to be able to spread out and have room.

we loved visiting all the historic sites and learning about our pioneer heritage. one of our favorite activities was the wagon ride that took us through the city. we bundled up in blankets and learned interesting facts about the area.

(lydia was fast asleep by the end:)

here we are just before loading the wagon

we learned about all the hard work it took just to have water to do the dishes or to take a bath.

one of the highlights for me was attending the temple. . . such a unique and beautiful temple!

the kids learned about the school house . . .

. . . and were able to try out the slates.

such good little student's:)

this is a picture of the trail of hope. in 1846 began the mormon exodus from nauvoo where the early saints left behind their homes, beautiful city, family and friends. i love the thoughts of sister sheri l. dew as she reflects on this site:

"I love Nauvoo. And every time I visit the City of Joseph in Illinois, I walk to the end of Parley Street, where the Saints lined their wagons as they prepared to evacuate the city. There I try to imagine how our pioneer sisters must have felt as they loaded what little they could into a wagon, glanced a final time at their homes, and then followed their faith into the wilderness.

I always weep on Parley Street, because I can't help but wonder, Would I have loaded that wagon? Would my testimony of a modern-day prophet and Jesus Christ have been strong enough that I would have given up everything and gone anywhere?

Perhaps none of us will be called upon to suffer deprivation because of what we believe. But we have been called to live in a time when the chasm between the philosophies of men and the teachings of the Master gapes wider than ever."

this is the view of the temple from parley street. imagine looking back on this site when leaving the city. all the sacrifices made to build a temple!

The Prophet's Last Ride

On the morning of June 24, 1844, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum left their families, homes, and fellow Saints for the last time. Traveling on horseback, they paused on this bluff. Joseph looked admiringly at the unfinished temple and the city of Nauvoo and declared:

This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens;

little do they know the trials that await them.

Joseph and Hyrum then continued on to Carthage, Illinois, where they faced legal charges and eventual death at the hands of a mob.

*****

there is such a wonderful sprit in nauvoo. it was fun to be there as a family and enjoy the experience together. i loved seeing all the sites and reflecting on the many sacrifices and honorable qualities of these early saints. what a wonderful heritage!

this is halloween, this is halloween . . .

. . . this is halloween night!

as i was going back and looking through the last few months of pictures, i just had to share a few of the kids getting all ready for trick-or-treating. luckily we have a make-up artist in our home!

carter wanted to be "kiss" this year. i still don't know how i feel about this!

nathan made a perfect vampire

our little chick. i was lucky to get this shot. she is so tough to photograph!

fireman mitchell

playing their part's pefectly!

yep, four trick-or-treater's from our house this year. the older girls got together with friends. gracie and her friends did hit a few houses dressed as "glow girl's".

happy halloween in january!!

on my mind

when i received this text from my sweetie this week, i haven't been able to get my poor little blog off of my mind. you see, i have been debating on whether or not to try to keep it going. now that it is a new year and the holiday's have come and gone in a hurry, i am just now coming up for air. . . trying to prioritize and keep things in perspective, an ongoing process for me! i wish posting here could be a quick task, but it never is which is why i get so far behind.

a couple of years ago i started documenting our day to day using project life. i love the product, i enjoy opening the books and looking back, being amazed at how full our lives are and how much would be forgotten. i see the value in the effort and enjoy the process - but, i have a hard time keeping up on both.

this text message has given me purpose. i didn't even realize that doug checked my blog! but because he does and he misses it, i'm going to make more of an effort. i have a lot of fun stuff to share:)

Grace

Oh how the years are slipping by. I can hardly believe that this little bug has turned twelve. Another Young Woman in our home!

When I look at this little girl face I remember the way she use to talk so fast with a little lisp. I remember that she was a thumb sucker. I remember her cute, stocky little body built so sturdy. I remember her saying things like "back yarden" and "enhipilada's" Our Gracie bug has always brought a lot of joy and smiles into our home.

What a beautiful girl she is growing up to be, inside and out. If there is one thing I would like my pure, precious daughters to remember as they continue to grow and experience life with all the wonderful things it has to offer, it would be to guard your virtue. I love this message from Sister Elaine S. Dalton:

" Young women, look into the mirror of eternity. Remember who you are! See yourself as our Heavenly Father sees you. You are elect. You are of noble birth. Don’t compromise your divine inheritance. You were born to be a queen. Live so you are worthy to enter the temple and there receive “all that [the] Father hath.” ¹⁸ Develop deep beauty. There is no more beautiful sight than a young woman who glows with the light of the Spirit, who is confident and courageous because she is virtuous."

Gracie, you shine. I love you. Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday Carter

TEN!!! You know you are growing up when it takes both hands to show your age. Carter and I get to share our special day together! (I would need a couple more sets of hands to be able to show my age;)

Carter's Favorites:

Food: Steak

Candy Bar: Cookies and Cream

Color: Blue

Book: Shiloh

Activity in my spare time: Football

Subject in school: Math

My Best Friend: Dylan

Toy: B-B-gun

Primary Song: I am a Child of God

Holiday: Christmas

Scripture Story: Joseph in Egypt

When I grow up I want to be: an auctioneer

TEN things I love about Carter:

1. He has a kind heart

2. He is motivated

3. He idolizes his father

4. He is a good example to his brothers

5. Carter is obedient

6. Carter is sensative

7. He is an athlete

8. I love that he is learning to play the piano

9. Responsible

10. I love his smile with his chipped tooth

Happy Birthday Carter!! I am so glad you are my boy.

feed 'em on peaches

today we headed out to the orchards to load up on peaches.

the limbs were heavy with fruit just waiting to be relieved.

we look forward to peach season every year.

we can't seem to get enough of them around here!

pure deliciousness!

we love spending time in the cool morning temperatures, filling our buckets

and marveling at the delicious fruit filling the trees. fall is in the air!

whenever i pick peaches i think of my parents singing this song. i can't help but smile everytime i watch this . . . aren't they just adorable!

they're off

gracie was the first to leave tuesday morning. 7:05 a.m. on her way to the bus stop. first year of middle school. excited and ready for the first day!

i offered to walk her to the bus stop like i do the elementary kids, but abi told her that i did that for her when she was in 7th grade, and it was kind of embarrassing. grace said i could walk her . . . but, then i would miss abi leaving. we ended up saying our goodbye's at the door.

this is gracie at registration trying out her locker for the first time. she is so thrilled about having a locker this year. several mornings this week she has said how happy she is to have her own locker:) she was a little stressed about getting it open on the first day of school. at registration, she and i both had a tricky time getting that thing to open up.

abi was next to leave at 7:30. abigail has been so excited to start her first year of highschool. i can hardly believe i have a daughter in highschool!! she has been talking about is since the end of july . . . planning what to wear the first day and how to do her hair.

i must say she looks fabulous for her first day:)

the boys were next to leave at 8:30. look at those shiny happy little boy faces!

each year i ask my kids to try and be the last in line to get on the bus so they can look back and wave for the camera. they are such good sports:)

a brand new fresh start. the first day comes quicker every year.

stand in holy places

we enjoyed our 2nd anual back to school feast the monday night before school started. our dinner consisted of steaks (doug's specialty) fresh off the grill, and a pasta salad.

our "back to school" theme comes from the scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants 87:8: "Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved . . ."

"Standing in holy places is all about being in good company, whether you are alone or with others. It's being where the Holy Ghost is our companion - alone or in a crowd. When we determine within ourselves that we will control our thoughts and our actions and be the best we can possibly be." -Sharon G. Larsen

14 on the 14th . . .

. . .which makes this one "golden"

let me tell you, this is one great girl! i know i am her mother and mother's say that about their kids, but she truly is remarkable. the fun thing about being a mom, is that you get to raise some of your very best friends. abi is my right hand, she frequently asks if there is something i need help with and is willing to do pretty much anything for me. abigail is fun, loyal, a great friend, sympathetic, caring, mature, genuine, confident, and beautiful:) happy birthday dear one.

ready for the traditional balloon launch

birthday wishes sent to the sky

abigail's favorites:

birthday dinner: bbq chicken salad

dessert: "i am on a no sugar deal"

candy bar: twix

color: purple/red

book: the help

movie: the little mermaid

activity in my spare time: hang with friends

subject in school: english

toy: ipod

primary song: when i am baptized

holiday: christmas

animal: kitty

scripture story: alma the younger

when i grow up i want to be: a hair stylist

here is a sampling of one of abi's piano pieces. piano is something she does because we feel it is important . . . not necessarily because she loves it. she is really developing a wonderful skill:)