Youth Conference Nauvoo IL July 2009

We had three days full of learning about Joseph Smith's life and the early Saints who sacrificed so much to help restore the gospel for all of Heavenly Fathers children. Our experiences will last us for a life time. Our testimonies were strengthened and the spirit that fills the sacred places there is hard to describe in words. We are so grateful to our Savior and Heavenly Father for the opportunity that was ours to visit Nauvoo. Our love for each other was also strengthened and we are all proud to call each other SISTERS!

Dancing and Pioneer games

Before the Pagent started we got to experience some of the work, games, and dancing the pioneers would have done. It was fun for all!

The Pagent

We attended the Nauvoo Pagent while were there. It was a wonderful and heart warming experience to see the life of Joseph Smith and the Saints as they built the temple and helped the church grow while they were in Nauvoo.

David Archuleta was in Nauvoo

We had heard from Sister Wallentine that she had seen a certain someone at the temple and that he would be attending the pagent the same night we were. He was there... this is the only picture we got of him.

Pioneer hand cart trek

We got to experience a "little" of what the Pioneers went through after they were forced to leave Nauvoo. They suffered and gave up so much for us.

Carthage Jail

This is where Joseph Smith was Murdered

Nauvoo Temple

Amazing! It is so beautiful there by the banks of the Mississippi river.

Stake Youth Dance

The dance was so much fun and all the youth had a fabulous time.

Stake Youth Dance

Late Nights

We had a blast getting to know other youth in our stake...the girls especially liked meeting the boys. We stayed up late..(.some never went to bed) laughing, eating treats, and getting to know each other better! Thanks girls! I love you all!

"Fishin" on a saturday

The boys had a fun afternoon fishing together!

Love those good old summer days!

15 years ago today!

Another year to create precious memories together.
Another year to discover new things to enjoy about each other.
Another year to build a life rich in love and laughter.
Another year to strengthen a marriage that defines "forever."

Happy Anniversary!

Being that it is 15 years of bliss today, I thought I would list 15 things I love about my hubby!
1. your unconditional love
2. the cute way you stack your cookies...and for putting up with me teasing you about it!
3. the nights when you go to bed with me and aren't up being a night owl!
4. your teasing
5. that you are a bathroom cleaner...if I ask
6. your eye watering laugh
7. you are a hard working provider for our family.
8. your enthusiasm for our two boys
9. our fun family outings
10. to watch you play and take care of little babies
11. your love of all sports
12. you are a very patient person
13. you always remember important dates, things that have happened in our lives
14. I love that I can always tell what you are thinking
15. The love I see you give to Brandon and Jordan....you are a wonderful dad!
Thanks Schon for being the best husband a girl could ask for.
I love you so much!

Fun in the Fountains

today we went downtown Springfield to play in the fountains with some of our wonderful friends.

We played and splashed and had a picnic too! It turned out to be a great day and stopped raining just for us!

The Bybees

The Sewalds

The Trebilcocks

Us

Swimming @ the Bybee's

Our friends the Bybee's have been so wonderful to us and have invited us out to swim in their pool and have picnics. We have had so much fun playing, swimming, eating yummy food and getting to know each other better. Thanks guys!

4th of July at the lake with the Jackson's

Saturday July 4th was probably the highlight of the summer so far, we got to go to Stockton lake with our friends the Jackson's. They were so nice to invite us to tag-a-long with them. We had a blast riding the wave runners, being pulled on the tube, skiing, jumping off the rocks, swimming in the lake,going to dinner and then watching the fireworks over the lake. We want to give a big thanks to the Jackson's for a Fabulous Fourth of July! THANKS!

Brandon and Jordan on the tube together

Jordan

Brandon

Schon....says we are getting one of these!

my three boys

the mom

Brandon, Jordan Jackson, Jordan swimming in the Lake.

Jordan, Doug, & Wendy

We were so proud of Brandon...he was so brave and even tried to ski.
(Wendy is a great teacher)

what a lazy day!

the mom trying to ski

jumping off the rocks!

Wendy's grandson Hunter jumping off the rocks!

Hunter and his mommy riding the tube.