Last Day of School

What in the world just happened? Kindergarten is over?

Aidan was so excited for his last day of school. Of course he has been counting down the days since the end of April. But today was the day. Ryan took Aidan to school today

FIRST GRADE HERE I COME!

At school today they had field day. Ryan volunteered and I just came out with the girls for pics and fun. They had a bunch of fun things going on. Ryan worked at the obstacle course. The kids had such a blast. As part of field day they signed each other's shirts. I was in the room when they did the signing and even was asked for my autograph a couple of times. You know how kids are, they just want as many names as they can get regardless of who it is. It was cute though. This is Aidan 's teacher signing his shirt.

Here is his finished t-shirt.

Aidan had a great class and a great teacher. He learned to read this year, was introduced to math, grew 1 1/4 inches and gained 3 pounds. We are so proud of him and how well behaved he was in school. You are a great kid AIDAN!

Splashin' around!

It was hot here today, mid 80's low 90's. I pulled out the blow up pools and filled them up with water. I figured by the time Aidan got home from school the pools would be a great temp to play in. Well, Lacey and Cassidy couldn't wait until then. Once Lacey was in her swimsuit, Cassidy started to pull at her dress to get it off. She wanted IN! I have a teeny pool that is just inches deep, perfect for Cassidy. She didn't want all the way in right at first. She first put her hands in, then suck her fingers, then put her toes in, then her hands again. Finally I just plopped her in. It took her breath away at first but she quickly adjusted. She would kick her feet back and forth and splash her face. It was so funny to watch her. I took a ton of pics. She is just so dang cute in her swimsuit and this was her first backyard pool experience. Love it!

As Promised

Our kids are constantly asking to go to Chuck E Cheese's. I really didn't want the kids to think we would just go there for any reason. I wanted it to be for special occassions only. So after frequent begging to go there I decided about 5 months ago that I would take them there for an end of school celebration. It satisfied their begging but didn't keep them from constantly reminding me, counting down, and talking about it. So schools out and as promised.............

My Memorial Day

This was a different Memorial Day for me. Growing up on this day we would visit our grandparents ' graves, leave flowers and then spend the ride home looking for asparagus on the back roads of Idaho. Well, today I didn't get to go to my grandparents' graves but I did visit the graves of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith in Nauvoo. I didn't really know there was a final resting place for the two of them. I knew there bodies had to be hidden for awhile to keep them safe from evil men. They are located in a beautiful spot where Joseph Smith used to live right on the Mississippi River. It was reverencing to be there. While I was there it hit me that it was Memorial Day. It felt like it in that moment. I was honoring two men who had fallen victim of different kind of war. They were truly soldiers for God's work here on earth. I really felt privileged to walk in places that the prophet walked. I felt humbled by the work he did in this life and what he suffered because of what he knew and saw. I have never doubted that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. You can see the fruit of his works and know that he was a good man called of God. My testimony has only deepened of him as he became more real to me today. I saw where he lived. I saw where he died. He was an amazing man. I am grateful to him for choosing to follow God, laying a foundation for Christ's church, and being faithful to the end.

The Mississippi River is in the distance

Joseph Smith's house.

Sunday in Nauvoo

Nauvoo Temple

We woke up early this morning, dressed for church, and took a 3 hour drive to Nauvoo. We barely made it for the beginning of church. So many people were there. It filled the chapel and the whole gym. A lot of people left after Sacrament meeting. I was worried there wouldn't be a Primary but there was with actual children who live in the area.

We had a picnic after church.

Then went to the Visitor Center. It is always so peaceful to see the large statue of Christ. I loved just sitting there.


Nauvoo has a records center where you can look up your ancestors. We went so I could find out where some of my ancestors lived. I found two of them and one actually had owned property in Nauvoo. Good ole Zerah Pulsipher. He was a pretty cool dude. Here is where we think his property was.
Later we went to Carthage Jail where the Prophet Joseph Smith was shot and killed by a mob. It is such a somber place and is humbling to be in the place the prophet died. Lacey was a little frightened because she kept thinking that the mob was going to be there and hurt her. I think Aidan really enjoyed seeing the actual jail and bullet holes in the door. I think it made it real for him.

The window Joseph fell out of after he was shot.

The original door with two bullet holes from the mob.

A Road Trip?

Last year Ryan and I made a New Years Resolution to go on a road trip. We wanted to drive somewhere and discover our part of the country. Well, with gas prices so crazy last year we bagged the resolution until this weekend. Ryan had four days off and Aidan had a day off from school so we decided it would be a great chance to go. We chose to go to Nauvoo. When we told the kids they didn't really understand. Aidan started asking me what airport we were flying out of and how many planes we were going on and what time our flight was. When I told him we were driving he said, "Why?" Even as we started our trip he said, "Dad, do you know airplanes are faster than cars?" "Yes" said Ryan. "Then why are we driving?" asked Aidan. We laughed. Yes, my kids have a warped view of traveling. Road trips are a new concept to these spoiled flyers.

We started off for St. Louis about 5:00 p.m. and will stay the night tonight.

Indiana Jones Party

Aidan had his birthday party today. This is the fourth year I think that he has had a party with his buddy George. It was Indiana Jones themed this year. First we had all the kids go on a scavenger hunt for Indiana Jones items, hat, whip, binoculars, compass etc. Then we had them go through an obstacle course. First they jumped over a pool of snakes, then crawled through a tunnel of rats and bugs to a tent where they had to pick a Holy Grail. They continued to crawl through another tunnel which led them to climb up some steps and run across a table while boulders (beach balls) were being thrown at them. Finally they had to step across a brick path to a chest of sand in which they had to dig through snakes and bugs to find a treasure (golf ball). We had a winner for the right Holy Grail and the specially marked golf ball. It was really fun. A little crazy but fun.

Here is the cake.

Here is the invite.

Aidan had a great time and is so happy so many of his friends came to his party.