Vacation Day 3

We started in Independence. This is the Church of Christs temple (aka the RLDS church who changed their name). It's right across from the Independence visitors center. It was good to go in and tour it and learn some history for the kids.  

Next we went to the Kansas City Missouri temple. That is a gorgeous temple. It was RB's favorite. 

Next, we went to Liberty Jail. It was interesting to learn just how Joseph Smith was treated in this jail, horribly. Stone floors, no beds, little food. They spend months in there, cold, and not knowing what was happening to their families. It was a small space too to have four of them in there. 

Mmmm, good! 

On our way to Illinois we crossed over the Mississippi river. This was another favorite of RB's. It is massive! We were very impressed. We also saw a bridge that was turned sideways to let boats by. I've only seen that in movies. So that was cool. It would be cool to see the Mississippi at the end right before it goes into the ocean. It's got to be wider than it was up here. Super impressive!  

Our first stop in Illinois was Carthage Jail. This was cool to do both jails on the same day. It was no comparison with how they were treated. In Carthage they didn't even stay in the jail. The family that stayed there allowed them to stay in the bedroom next to the jail. They came down to eat meals with the family. They were treated very well. The gun shot hole that went through the door and struck Hyrum Smith is still in the door. It was humbling to be in the room that they were, and to listen to the account of what happened. 

Our next stop was Nauvoo. We made it for the last part of Sunset on the Mississippi. The missionaries there put on a show of singing, and dancing. It was pretty good. 

Last for the day, was The Trail of Hope. This was the road that the Saints went down to get on boats to cross the Mississippi when they were leaving. We stopped every so often to listen to a pioneer story. One was of a boy who ran away from his adoptive family to join his sister on the trail. He had to dress up like a girl so he wouldn't be noticed. Another story was of a family who left later than everyone else and since there were no oxen, they had to use cows. One of the cows got sick, and the wife put an herbal medicine on the leg for it to heal. The next morning, the husband told her she put it on the wrong leg, and she said it does not matter it will work just the same. And it did. I also got to see fireflies. That was cool. 

That night we slept in a cabin. This is one of the kids favorite parts of the trip. The cabin was really cool. The parents bed, the loft with two air mattresses up there, and then the bunk beds that could sleep at least 3 more. We would have fit 9 or more people in there. The kids loved it. 

Vacation Day 1 & 2

Vacation started this summer on the 4th of July. We drove to my sisters home and spend the night celebrating with our own small fireworks and playing on the e-switch. 

Day 2

We did a lot of driving this day. We drove all the way to Missouri. Now if you want to make time go by SLOW when driving through Iowa, all you have to do is watch the mile markers go by as they count every 2 tenths of a mile. Ugh! 

Never a dull moment in the Pedersen van while traveling.

One of the best parts of traveling is all the yummy new places you get to try and eat. 

Nebraska has some really cool bridges. We would get excited to see a bridge knowing it would not disappoint with the art that would be with it. We didn't get bored with the corn fields like everyone said we would. We thought they were cool and it was better than WY's sagebrush. 

We stopped at the Omaha, NE temple. We did not do the temple visitors center but if we ever head that way again, we will. The temple was small but still beautiful! 

 Our next stop was Missouri. We stopped at Adam-ondi-ahman. What a pretty area! It was cool to think that Joseph Smith had ridden his horse in that very area. 

After we found a hotel and called it a night! Yes, with some yummy BBQ.

Beginning of July Birthdays

First, the Em-A-Nator loves to help. She helped hang daddy's pants on hangers. I love how she did them. :) 

Well another birthday for me has come and gone. RB took me shopping, and then we set off fireworks with some friends that night. It was a great day! 

Lil's b-day was a double b-day. Since we are going to be on vacation for MJ's b-day Lil agreed MJ could open her presents after she opened hers. So we had a double present opening. MJ did have to wait for her b-day cake though. 

The kids have wanted roller blades forever! They finally got to try them out. I fell! Yep, I'm that good. RB was amazing. The kids could not believe how fast he was on his. He could even go backwards. They forget that he grew up on roller blades and roller bladed all the time as a kid. They are getting better and better every time they put them on. 

That night we went into Logan for our annual fireworks show. This year was COLD. I'm glad I brought jackets for everyone because they were needed. We had a great time with family!