Golden moments

When we got home from our trip, the boys had gone to California for a little r&r without kids. They left Kyle with Michelle and we took him when we got home It was fun to have him long enough for him to feel comfortable with us. Here are some pictures. At the Federkeils

Can you believe that hair? He has more hair than Grandpa and I combined!

Don't let the goldilocks fool you---He's all boy. He loves to rough house and play ball (his favorite is golf)He loved playing in the pool and swimming with the big boys. He showed Grandpa how good he was at swinging and sliding with no hands. He was so good at naps! One in the am and another in the pm and then to bed at 8:30. That's the kind of kid every mother dreams of.

He was so glad to see his dad and mom. When they got back they gave him a proper Birthday. We went to the park and roasted hot dogs played at the park.

Then we had cake and ice cream and presents with the Federkeils in the evening.

We went up north on the 18th for the Brown reunion and we sqeezed in the Oquirhh Mountain Temple Open House. I was trying to make it work so everyone could be in the temple together but Gabe couldn't go at the last minute and Claire got sick that morning so only the Bentley boys got to go. It was a great experience though. Definately a Golden moment!

tripping to Nauvoo, reunions, kids, and temples

We've had a busy month with family reunions, trips and college classes. (BYU independent study literature class is kicking my can.) The 27th of June we left with Amy, Aaron and kids for a 3000 mile road trip. We went to a very cool Lomax Miller reunion in Nebraska. He my Grandpa Daniel Wright's mom's dad. It was at a Baptist summer camp and we had a great time getting to know some great, friendly people. Patty and Mac got to go to part of it too. In three years they are planning to do it again only maybe in Oregon.

After the reunion we headed for Omaha, Nebraska or Winter Quarters. We saw the Kanesville tabernacle where Brigham Young was ordained the prophet. I don't think I realized how far across the United States the saints actually got before they started on the wagon trains. And they still had a long ways to go. We also went to the Winter Quarter's temple and visitor center.

The next day we headed to Nauvoo. We stayed at a cabin just two miles south of Nauvoo which was a perfect place for the kids to play and yell and run. Randy showed them how to skip rocks and I got to do one of the things on my "bucket list"; we caught fireflys! They were so cool and we tried to bring some home for the Federkeils but they died before they reached Utah.

We enjoyed our time in Nauvoo. We got to do a session in the Nauvoo temple. We loved the plays they did during the days. The homes were not very handicap accessible or child friendly so we split up for part of the time. Randy and I checked out some of the homes and businesses and the Bentleys went in search of a candy store for Levi. We found some great information on family members in the Lands and Records office. We went on an oxcart ride and saw where the saints crossed the Nauvoo river. Our ancestor Zachariah Hardy helped ferry people across. On Feb 11 1846 there was a terrible snow storm and he was found dead on his ferry the next morning. On Feb 14, the Mississippi froze over and they were able to cross on the ice. That's one of the few times in history that it ever froze. We went to the Old Nauvoo cemetery and his name is on the list of people who died in Nauvoo but they don't know exactly where he was buried so there isn't a stone for him.

It is a beautiful city and it broke my heart to think of them leaving their homes. Their time

in Nauvoo was relativly peaceful and when they left it was partially because they had to, but also because they wanted to follow the Prophet.

The last day in Illinois we went to Carthage jail. I don't know what you can say about Nauvoo. It leaves me speechless. To say I am thankful seems so insignificant in comparison to the sacrifice made there. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith. The Lord used a young man with a willing heart to establish his church. The whole time I was in Nauvoo I tried to wrap my mind around the mob mentality that culminated at Carthage and I just couldn't do it. It just must have been the influence of Satan in the hearts of man.

After Carthage we packed up and headed back on I-70. We went to the Far West temple site, Adam ondi Ahman and Independence Missouri. There is a feeling through out that part of the country that something is coming. It will be interesting to see the prophecies play out. I hope it will be in my lifetime.