Pucker UP!

Because Ryan and Jace have taught their "little darlin'" a new trick.

Mmmmm

waaahhhh!

It sure is cute when they are little! 

Nauvoo, Illinois - Part II

Sunday was our second and last day together before Will and Jill had to start their long trek home.

Poppy and Grammy spent the morning giving squashes and loves to Robin and Rue while Ryan and I whipped up buttermilk waffles for breakfast-which luckily tasted quite good. 

While we cleaned up the kids spent their time playing in the antique kitchen cupboard.

Then Grammy got her hair styled at the Christopher Robin salon. 

They also compared their leg length and

foot size

and hand size. 

  Grammy, you need to start growing soon or Christopher Robin is going to pass you by!

We then loaded up and went to visit some church historical sites.  Ryan and I have never seen this part of Nauvoo, so it was such a treat for us.

We went to the grave-site of Joseph and Hyrum.

It overlooks this beautiful view of the Mississippi River.

Christopher Robin at Lucy Mack's house.

Next we went to Lucy Mack Smith's home, a place I have been anxious to visit.  As you can see Jace was thrilled with the tour.  He said it was "too boring for me!!"

So we spiced things up a bit by taking him to the blacksmith shop. He learned how to make a wagon wheel, which he thought was absolutely all right.

Gracie helped too.

We also saw the demonstration on how they made bricks back then.  I learned that it was a very labor intensive process, but they were able to produce 4 million bricks a year.


Christopher Robin is examining the clay they used.

He was given one as a souvenir, and he got to climb on some too.

We also stopped at the temple for some more pictures.  It was so nice and hot and HUMID!

Gracie is a Poppy's girl!

Here is my little darlin' in her pioneer bonnet.

Reluctantly, we had to finally say our goodbyes. As we drove out of town, Christopher Robin snapped this picture from the van window.

Listening to what sounded like rain, but it was bugs splattering on the windshield, Robin and Rue

soon fell fast asleep.

Nauvoo in Hebrew means,  beautiful place.  I  love what President Hinckley said about Nauvoo.  "Nauvoo," he said, was “the crucible of Mormonism—a crucible of vision, a crucible of loyalty, a crucible of integrity, a crucible of leadership, a crucible of faith.”

It is hard for me to describe the feeling of peace I feel when I am there.  It truly is a beautiful place. I am so grateful to my pioneer ancestors who gave all they had to be members of our church, The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Thank you Mom and Dad for making this trip so memorable. And next time Poppy, I will make sure you get your peach cobbler.  You have earned every bite!!

Nauvoo, Illinois - Part I

Poppy and Jace in front of the Nauvoo, Il. temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

After Jill and Will arrived at our house Ryan and I ran around like chickens for well over an hour packing. We left late and had to make a mad dash to Nauvoo. We made it just in time for Ryan and I to do a temple session.  During which, we left Robin and Rue in charge of the Grandparents!

Outside the Zion Mercantile store.

As you can see, those Grandparents had a marvelous time!

I love this monument.  It depicts Hyrum and Joseph looking back on their beloved city on their way to Carthage.  It sits across the street from the temple.

Mom and Dad in front of the Abbott Manor.

We were so fortunate to get to stay at the Rufus Abbott Manor House.  It was built in 1839 by Mr. Abbott.

He lived there until his exodus west in 1846.  This home is rented to one family at a time, so it was all ours for our stay.

Here is an upstairs bedroom.

Me and Dad in the dining area.

Us!

Here is the kitchen with original fireplace and period furnishings. 

                                                                                                           

Ryan and Grace in the enclosed porch dining area.

The view from the back porch or east side of the home-I can't tell which.  But beautiful!

But best of all was the kitchen drawer!

Before the pageant, Jace got all the official pageant and church news read.

That evening we went to the pageant. 

Boston--look who I met at the pageant. I forgot her first name!  But she said you were really good friends.  Her last name is Harris.

Here is the temple up on the hill overlooking the pageant-so gorgeous.

After the pageant was over and we got the blanket of bugs scraped off our car and windshield, we went back and hung out together at the Manor.

Listening to music, telling stories, and eating large quantities of Reese's Pieces!

It was so fun just being together. 

I was feeling really sick again.  I had been suffering with the flu for the previous 24 hours-such great timing- so I had to go to bed, but it sounded like they were having a wonderful time.

Wishes do come true

At 9:36 AM on Saturday our doorbell rang.  Ryan answered the door and look who he saw standing there!!!!

His Mom and Dad!

It was a TOTAL surprise.  He had no idea they were coming but I was in on the secret.

Will and Jill looking FABULOUS after a 16 hour commute.  I really think they were beamed to our front doorstep.  No one looks this good after a 16 hour car ride!

Remember last week how I told you we were packing to go to Nauvoo? We were aching to take our Grammy and Poppy with us.  So on Thursday afternoon I sent a message to Jill telling her how much we were missing them and wishing they could join us.  And you know what happened?

They stopped what they were doing, they packed their bags, they rented a car, they left Utah that night at  midnight, and drove OVER 16 hours to arrive on our doorstep Saturday morning just in time to go down to Nauvoo with us.


Iowa is beautiful especially from a rental car window!

We still can't believe that they made our wish come true. Words can't adequately describe how blessed we feel to have such wonderful parents. They sacrificed so much just to spend a weekend with us.  We love you so much Grammy and Poppy, Marma and Dada. Thank you for coming.