Last week was my first time seeing fireflies even though the first one I saw happened to be smashed on the windshield, but hey it was still glowing so that counts right? They are really cool bugs though, and it was really neat to see them in the darkness with their on and off gleams.
Another awesome thing I saw was thunderstorms like you don't see anywhere else. I loved it when it rained because it was humid and warm so it felt really good when you were outside.
You might be wondering where I saw these really cool things, and the answer to that is Nauvoo, Illinois. We were able to go out there for a whole week. I have been there before but I don't really remember a lot of it.
We left over Memorial day weekend and arrived back this last Saturday. We were able to travel with my sisters Abbey and Lindsay and their hubbies so it was a lot of fun being on the plane and driving with them. My brother and his wife and family came from New York, and my parents and sister Annie of course live there already so that is why we went to visit. My other brother Brett came down with his family from Iowa so we had the whole Marshall gang together for a week of laughs, fun times and of course drama because it is not a family vacation without that.
We flew into St. Louis Missouri where my dad was waiting in a huge van to take us 3-1/2 hours to Nauvoo. Needless to say it was a long day of traveling, but very worth it. If I would have had to drive for 2 days instead of flying and only driving for 3-1/2 hours I would have lost it so I am very glad we didn't have to drive the whole way.
We stayed in a really nice lodge the first few nights which was huge and there were bunnies outside which the kids loved to go and see and hold.
The other nights we stayed in this house which was kind of an adventure in and of itself, but that is another story.
We toured all around Nauvoo seeing all the houses and going on carriage rides and wagon rides pulled by Oxen.
We walked the trail of hope and went on a private tour of the Nauvoo temple courtesy of my dad, and went through a session there.
It was the first time my parents and all of us siblings have been in the temple together and it was such a neat experience.
We got to dress up like pioneers and play some of the games they had. This is McKenna riding a sheep. Her and her cousins could have played at this park forever.
Overall it was a really great experience to be able to be where the prophet and the saints lived and to feel the sweet spirit that was there in the town.
We also went to Carthidge and went through the tour there and that was really neat. I have been there before like I said but it was just as sweet of an experience the second time as it was the first. We got a picture outside with all the grandkids except for Callie because she is too little to sit up there with everyone else.
The kids went swimming at grandma and grandpas and just had a blast running around and being with eachother. It was a little noisy at times with all the kids that you would think you were in a zoo at times, but fun nonetheless.
There is so much to do we didn't even get to see everything, but the best thing was just being with the family and enjoying the time we got to spend there. McKenna had a blast playing with all her cousins and was very sad when we had to say goodbye to them all.
I was not ready to leave, but like they say, all good things must come to an end. I always get so anxious for things to come and then when they do it just goes by so fast. I need to relax and not be so anxious but just enjoy every moment even if it is just being satisfied with taking McKenna to the park and entertaining and teaching her things each day. I should be just as excited for those moments as I am to go on a vacation right?
McKenna loved flying on an airplane, she kept telling everyone she was going to fly on an airplane even if she didn't know them. It was so cute and she did so well so it made my life so much easier. We experienced pink berry frozen yogurt for the first time and it was deliscious!
It was a little hard for her while we were in Nauvoo because we were always so busy she didn't get naps in so she was not her usually well behaved self, but what can you expect from an almost 3 year old?
One thing we got to do which was really neat to me was to tour Brigham Young's house and so I got a picture of Travis and McKenna there because he is their great grandfather, 4th for Travis and 5th for McKenna.
I am so grateful for family and for the many blessings we have been given to allow us to take this wonderful trip. I am especially grateful for my parents who did so much to make it such a nice trip, we are very fortunate and I am so glad we got this opportunity.
Memories are some of the best things we have and I am glad that I have made so many good ones with Travis and McKenna so far and I look forward to many more with them and with our new son when he arrives.
