Vay-Cay!

I think we are destined to not have a 'perfect' picture! But I do like these!

Did you notice I was missing? I've been right good about posting regularly and missed 2 weeks! That is because I was traveling all over the good ol' U.S. of A. We were lucky to be able to spend a week with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents on the Williams side, and then a week with cousins, aunts, uncles on the Dalton side. What a great time!

We started off the trip by driving to St. Louis to catch our flight to Portland, Or. (There is a method to my madness, patience!) We picked Katelyn up from girls camp, washed her clothes and hit the road. We made it to the airport just in time to catch our flight.... that was delayed. Ouch. Unfortunately, we had a tight window and the delay caused us to miss our connection. Bummer! We were able to finally go and the airlines found a different connecting flight for us to take. After arriving in Portland, OR and finding our rental car, we began the next leg of our journey with a 3+ hour drive to Sun River, OR. We missed the reunion kick off fireworks, but were able to enjoy several different shows as we drove. We spent the week hiking, swimming, splunking, and floating the Deschutes river. Have you ever been in a lava flow cave? Very cool and VERY dark!
One of the kids favorite things was hiking to this waterfall and playing in the water. It was pretty chilly water, but no one seemed to mind.



After an amazing week in cool, not humid Bend/Sun River, we headed back to Portland to catch our flight back to St. Louis. Thankfully, that went off without a hitch. We picked up our car and drove the 3+ hours to Nauvoo, (See? A method!) and met up with Bary's brother and family. That place is amazing! The kids had an incredible time and never got bored. We saw how bricks were made, got prairie diamonds, rode in a pioneer wagon pulled by oxen (did you know that is a term, not an animal?) went to Carthage, went to the temple, went to a pioneer style fair, pageant, wagon ride, Trail of Hope down Parley street, dressed up in pioneer clothes, and played all sorts of pioneer style games. I think they had more fun doing the pioneer games than any game we have at home (hello Christmas ideas!)

This is the actor who portrayed Brigham Young in the pageant. He also was in 4 of the Liken the Scriptures (Samuel the prophet, Abinadi, Zachariah, and Lehi)Do you recognize him? Josh did right off the bat!

Josh, Marshall, Sierra, Byron, Briggs, and Grace at the end of Parley Street where it meets the Mississippi.

The Nauvoo Temple was amazingly beautiful. It was incredible to be able to be there and feel the spirit that is there. Thanks to Hill's parents for watching the kids so we could all go!

Now we are home safe and sound and onto the next activities. One very cool thing: We hurried back from out trip because Elder Bednar was coming to our stake! There was a special fireside for youth only (no parents) I was SO grateful to be a seminary teacher as we were invited to attend. He is absolutely amazing. His ability to connect with the youth and teach with the spirit astounds me every time. What an incredible experience Katelyn and Josh (and me) were able to have. They got to chat with him and shake his hand. I think that is one thing they will remember for a LONG time!