So here are some random pics since last I wrote. The highlight of our summer was our trip to Nauvoo. It was likely our best family vacation ever. Yes, even above Disney World. The kids were very engaged in our pioneer heritage and we felt the spirit while watching multiple shows, visiting the restored buildings, and participating in the walk along the trail of hope. We found the names of our ancestors on the wall memorializing those that didn't make it to Utah. Each night the kids reported something they learned and something they enjoyed that day. My favorite feedback was when Gavin said, "I learned what the Holy Ghost feels like, today."
My favorite part of that trip was that for once, I never heard, "Worst day ever." I attribute this phrase when I hear it to our experience not living up to expectations - not being able to afford MORE fun on top of the already REALLY expensive fun I just paid for. It seems like the amusement parks that gouge your pocketbook are never satisfying enough. They always leave you wanting more. So I would inevitably hear from my kids how terrible the day at Disney World, or insert any other amusement park or fun was because we couldn't do MORE.
Not so at Nauvoo. We were able to do EVERYTHING and spent sun up til about 11pm there every day of the week and my kids were filled with the spirit and satisfied every day. They couldn't wait to go back tomorrow and do more, but not with the same disappointing un-fulfilling, non-satisfying time on our other vacations. They were happy to learn more and were content with all they experienced. Win-win!
One of my favorite experiences about this vacation was the trail of hope and far west. Thursday morning at 8 am, we got to Parley Street where we lined up and walked down to the Mississippi River as missionaries dressed in period clothing told us their stories. We looked over our shoulder and saw the Nauvoo Temple in the background. The sadness that I felt was conflicted as we listened to the hope and faith that the pioneers had in the words of the prophet to leave to a place where they would not be persecuted. It was unknown territory and many would lose their lives. It was heartbreaking to leave that beautiful city that they had worked so hard to build. How hard to leave that beautiful temple that many had labored to build and where they had entered to receive their endowments and sealings to their families before making the trek west.
On Saturday, I drove the kids to Far West to see the cornerstones of the temple that was not built. I didn't expect to see a host of people there celebrating pioneer day. We joined them for their pioneer fun still reminiscing the fun we had enjoyed in Nauvoo. Shortly upon arriving everyone left to go to the road. We decided to follow not knowing where everyone was going. I finally asked and was told that the youth of that stake were just coming in from their trek that they had begun Thursday morning. The whole experience came full circle as we watched the celebrations and rejoicing of the youth finishing their journey. A journey symbolic of the one we had the pleasure of seeing the beginning of two days prior as we walked the trail of hope. I felt so blessed by the spirit that my children and I were able to experience those feelings for ourselves. What a revelation to me that as we move forward in life, following the prophet and the personal revelation that we receive that no matter the sacrifice, if we do so, the result is so much better than we could have ever imagined. I'm always humbled that the Lord is mindful of us and would grant us this gift by prompting me to take the kids at that exact moment in time to experience that.
Another significant event was that my nieces came to Texas for the summer. We got to host them for a couple of weeks and Sydney went to YW girls camp with Jessica in our stake. Lily and Samantha enjoyed getting to know each other and became tight over the summer. Lily can't wait to go visit her cousin in Utah.
The kids at the pool with cousins
Jhonny turned 40.
2nd cousins
My sweet boy
Sweet 13
Little Lily is 9
Spring is here
Girl Scout Camp Kachina 2015
Lily's game
One of a couple of trips to Seaworld this summer
Ammon is 3!
Jessica was named Best 7th Grade Girl.
More Seaworld
Splash pad with the cousins
2 peas in a pod
horseback riding with the GS
Happy 7th birthday Gavin!
Playing in the rain in June!
Jessica turns 13! We've got a teen in the house!
Date night with Jhonny to see Air Supply.
4th of July in Chinatown compliments of Jake and Liangzi
YW Girls Camp 2015
My sweet boy!
Zilker park theatre
KOA in Missouri on the way to Nauvoo
Had to stop and check out Rocky Ridge Farm
First night in Nauvoo began with a parade and outdoor concert. Gavin and Lily just made it into the fun!
Carthage Jail
At a fun show with the performing missionaries.
Adam Ondi ahman
Trip to Nauvoo
Visitor's Center in Independence, MO
Nauvoo Temple
School house in Nauvoo
Temple in Nauvoo, IL
Far West, Mo
Far West July 25, 2015
Youth group finishes Trek at Far West, Mo
Adam Ondi Ahman
VC at Independence, Mo
Old Nauvoo Show
Trail of Hope memorial
Me and the girls at Nauvoo
Pageant night
Independence VC
More Seaworld
Just me and the boys at Seaworld
Ademae at Seaworld
Back to School!
Summer Graduation at SUCCESS
Lily's first day of school
Gavin's first day
Jessica's first day of school
Ammons truly FIRST day of pre-school!
He was so excited to start playing!
Jessica off to her last year of MS
Random photo of Gavin?
CRHS football game with the family
Football game! Yeah!
Halloween
Fell asleep before trick or treating.
Hangin out with the Zauggs
Visiting the mobile home where we lived when Lily was born. Here is a tree I planted there.
Lily made the spirit squad at school
Mom took me to lunch for my birthday.
Lily gets braces.
Once I was a beehive premier with the producer and director!
Jessica in one act "All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten"
Jessica in All Region Choir 8th grade
Veteran's Day
Lady Bird Lake - GS Fall Campout 2016
A Swan at Zilker Park in Barton Springs.
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