BYU Football

We had season tickets for the BYU football games this year and it was so much fun.  We only have 2 tickets so we took turns taking each of the kids to a game and then Ryan and I got to go to a couple of games together.  We have some friends in our ward who have 6 tickets and were not able to go to the BYU/Idaho game and gave us their tickets so the whole family got to go.  We loved it.  We took the kids to Brick Oven for dinner before the game and Cosmo was there.  That was so cool.  We had a great time and we love BYU football!!

Halloween

Halloween was fun.  This year the elementary school let the kids wear their costumes to school.  That is the first time they have allowed that since we have lived here.  The girls were pretty excited.  However hats were not allowed so nobody could really tell that Aspen was a witch.  But they still loved it.  After school we spent the afternoon trick or treating to all the businesses in town.  That is the funnest part of the whole day.  We came home for dinner then went out again to the neighbors.  Hunter stayed home to hand out candy, Jaycee went with her friends, so Ryan and I went with the girls.  Lots of fun and lots of candy.

Hunter dressed as a spider web.  He went to his first dance at school.  I think he liked it.

Aspen went as a witch.

Isabelle was a Vampiress.

Jaycee was a mime. However we couldn't get her to stop talking.  She also got her braces off today.  Just in time to eat all the sticky gooey candy.

On our way home

3228 miles. 13 states. 2 weeks.  We are finally home.  In 2 days we drove from Winter Quarters Nebraska to home with a few stops along the way.  What an awesome trip.  Hopefully the kids will remember it.  I'm so glad we had this opportunity.  We had so much fun!!

Pony Express Station

Chimney Rock

At Chimney Rock they got to fill a wagon and see how much they could bring with them.

After a whole day of driving all the way across Nebraska we stopped in Scottsbluff.  FINALLY a hotel with a swimming pool. They were so excited!!

Martin's Cove was awesome and I wish we had more time there.  They did get to push a handcart and we were able to take a hike up into the cove.  

These statues are of the Sweetwater River crossing.

Thanks for the memories!! I'll never forget it!!

Winter Quarters

Winter Quarters was awesome!! The missionaries there were fabulous!  The first place we went was the Kanesville Tabernacle in Council Bluffs which is across the river from Winter Quarters.  This is where the church headquarters were for a while.  The saints built the tabernacle in 3 weeks so they could hold a conference where they sustained Brother Brigham as prophet.  I didn't know that.  The senior couple missionaries at the Tabernacle offered to let Aspen and Isabelle come over to their apartment while we went to the temple.  So nice!

This display of a wagon train is in downtown Omaha.  Really cool and definately worth seeing.

Winter Quarters Cemetary

Winter Quarters Temple.  The windows are absolutely incredible.  Jaycee and Hunter were able to do baptisms again.  I'm so glad they had the opportunity to go to each of these temples.

Independence and Liberty Jail

Our next stop was Independence, MO and Liberty Jail.  Before we went to the LDS Visitors Center in Independence we checked out the RLDS or Community of Christ Temple which is across the street.  Very interesting.  The LDS Visitors Center was really cool.  After the tour the kids were able to take some time to play.

Liberty Jail was neat.  The spirit was strong.

The walls of the jail were about 4 feet thick.

They took the men through this door.  Joseph Smith stopped and turned and said "Good afternoon gentlemen"

Kansas City, MO Temple.  I believe it will be dedicated next spring.

Hannibal, MO

We took a little detour after Nauvoo on our way to Independence Missouri.  We stopped at a place called Hannibal, Missouri.  This is where Mark Twain was born and where he got his inspiration for Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.  It was a cool place.  

We took a little "hike" up to this lighthouse.  It had a really cool view of the Mississippi River.

Posing

We had to "hike" up 244 steps to get to the lighthouse.

We took a ride on a River Boat.  That was fun.  This is the captain, Steve.  He was very nice. Funny too.

Couldn't pass up getting a picture even though it was pouring rain.