Getting Back To Our Roots In Nauvoo

For the last week of July, I was in Nauvoo with my family.  I know I've talked a lot about how great my family is.  I look forward to our reunions every year; they are a highlight.  I just...like them.  A lot.  

I have never really been to Nauvoo, so this was a first for me.  I can't really even begin to describe every moment, but I'll give a run down: 

Saturday: 

I flew to St. Louis, and just happened to sit next to the largest man I have ever sat by, who also happened to be one of the New England Patriots.  You know, the football team who won the Super Bowl this year.  It was a hysterical experience, since he is the age of my niece Jennifer (24) but still made his attraction clear.  Hey, I was definitely not complaining; don't judge. ;-)

We actually a great chat, and he was a very nice guy. A fun combination between a farm boy, southern gentleman, and a frat brother. Try to picture that, will you?

I met my parents AKA my travel buddies, at the airport, and we headed toward Nauvoo.

Sunday: 

Church, naturally

Carthage

Dinner

Show put on by the performing missionaries, or something.

Trail of Hope

Turns out, there's a lot of us.

Monday: 

Riding Reunion Shirt Day!

Morning: Wagon ride 

Afternoon: Wandering around the city like some big amoeba, ever ebbing and flowing, going to the different historical sites all over the historical district.

Buffet dinner at the Hotel Nauvoo

Mission reports from Josh, Jen, and Ally- I am inspired by the three oldest grandchildren in our family.  They are amazing, and I'm so proud to call them mine.  How they have all grown in the last few years as they have served their missions is astounding.  It was awesome to hear and see, all week. #proudaunt

Truth be told, I started the day with a little run down to the river.  This is the spot where the pioneers crossed the Missouri when they were being pushed out of Nauvoo, including some of my ancestors.  It was very sobering, and sacred, to be there. I needed a minute by myself.  Fair warning: there are a lot of pictures of the river.  Just be OK with it.

The Women's Garden.  

Alma 37:37- Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and He will direct thee for good...

Selfies with Eva always make me laugh so hard.  Rachel joined in on a few, and there are so many more of these than I am posting!

Lunch with these crazies.

These cute girls discovered the dress up clothes.

And Elissa got herself a bonnet, and I wanted to eat her.  Really. (Sidenote: How is it, when we discuss the cuteness of children, our descriptions turn to violent images?  I know I'm not the only one.  Just a thought).

I can't decide which of these photos I like better...

I got schooled by my sister.  It's fine.

Tuesday

Morning: Temple for the adults

Lunch and Annie's Custard. (I mean...)

Afternoon: A little more wandering in the historical district

Temple for teens and parents

Christmas in Nauvoo for the kids, put on by Becca/Dave, Mike/Sarah, and me.  And by that I mean, I did nothing but show up. They picked out little gifts for each other, and had a "snowball fight" with jumbo marshmallows.

Nauvoo Pageant

There is a very sacred feeling here.  Even among temples I have been to, it is different.

My absolute favorites in the world.

My kids, all grown up.

Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum Smith's burial sites.  

The Smith family cemetary, with that view again.

Grandpa telling a Jack story, of course. Tradition.

Wednesday: 

Morning: TREK. (Oh, and another chance to wear the cool shirts Becca designed.  We got asked about them all over town.  We were the envy of Nauvoo. :-)  Not kidding.)

Pioneer cemetary.  Another very sacred place, where we stopped to hear some family history from Dad.

Afternoon: We finally just gathered in bits and pieces and hung out.  It was exactly what we wanted to do.  Some people went and did a few things and then came over to the gathering place later.  But really, we just wanted to connect with each other and spend some quality time with each other, Riding style.  Meaning, sit around and chat, some of the kids played ultimate frisbee with the uncles, some swam, and a lot of us did a lot of sitting and staring at the amazing view over the Missouri River.  It was heaven, a little bit.

That afternoon Layne also let us know how he is doing with his journey with cancer.  It was heart-rending, since he is obviously near the end.  I think I have been in his presence for the last time in this life.  Though I am saddened by it, I do know we are an eternal family, and I'm so grateful.  I'm grateful that Layne has been and is a part of our family.  To hear his testimony and see his faith was something I will never forget.  

Going to the British Pageant finished out the night, and served as our final activity together.

Jacob and Rachel, definitely equally yoked, I would say, and ready to go.

Ah, Lucy Loo.  This encapsulates your personality better than anything I've ever seen.  And it makes me so happy and laugh so hard, just like you.

Eva and Lucy, earning their keep by cleaning the handcart wheels.  You missed a spot, ladies.

Letters to our current missionaries, Chris, Ethan and Tristan.

These guys made it all possible.  In thanks for that, I made them do a pensive, off into the distance shot.  You know, the kind Dad used to make us take sometimes when out hiking or something.  From some overlook.  Thanks, guys!

Thursday:

My parents and I and Mike and fam headed to Hannibal, MO to pay homage to Mark Twain, which meant we went on a riverboat cruise to learn about him.  Mr. Twain, I salute you.  

Back to St. Louis

Gateway Arch

Ted Drewes with Mike, ah yes.  That happened.

Last shot of the incredible view.

I wouldn't even include this picture, because it's horrible of me.  But I just think it's so funny. And it's with my dad, so sometimes you just have to make sacrifices for the memory.  Ah, vanity.

Shaved ice? Yes, thank you.

This darling boy loved the Arch.  I, for one, realized I'm a little more claustrophobic than I ever thought.  I was very relieved to get onto the ground again.

It is pretty cool, though, I have to say.

Friday:

A little bit of the St. Louis Botanical Garden.  

Nice job, St. Louis.  Who knew you were so awesome?

Unfortunately for me, that was the end of my voyage.  

I mean, seriously.  She's a flower.

More selfies with Eva.  Not sorry about it.

Lincoln and Sam, discovering the magic of the green screen.

I arrived home, tired and happy.  Needing a vacation after my vacation, as usual. And missing my family already.  It's a good thing I'll see some of them in September at a certain wedding...

Now that's going to be a good blog post.

The Weekend I Rendezvoused With Kelly in DC!

Last month I bucked all kinds of responsibilities and went to DC for a supposed singles ward beach trip.  I have a few friends down there who invited me.  I also found out my cousin Kelly was going to be in town, and that was the clincher on me going!  

I say "supposed" because the night before, when I was already there, the trip was cancelled due to rain in the forecast.  Huge bummer.  But my friend Lindy and I, and Kelly, decided to go to the beach anyway.  So we got up really early, had some ridiculous pancakes at some market, and headed out.

Now, the beach is not just a little drive.  We had to go to Delaware.  I know.  What's in Delaware, for crying out loud?  Well, a beach, apparently.  It was a 2.5 hour drive, but we decided we were in the mood for a little day trip, so it was great.

We gambled and won!  The drive was stunning, the conversation fantastic, and by the time we got there, any rain or hint thereof, even clouds, were completely gone.  It was a beautiful day!  And the beach.  Delaware: who knew??

The beach we went to, Rehoboth Beach, definitely brought to mind turn-of-the-century stories I've read or shows I've seen (Ragtime, for one), where rich people say, "we are going to the coast for the summer."  I'm telling you, they went to Rehoboth Beach. It was beautiful, and had a boardwalk with tons of shops, old fashioned hotels and restaurants.  And real bathrooms and changing stations.  Also really crowded.  But we survived. Sidenote: my foot looks broken in the pic below, and that's a little awkward.

We ended the day with some really great pizza, ice cream, and headed home.  To all the people who bailed on the beach: Suckers.  

Oh, and I thought I would throw in some Hudson River, and a sunset.  You know, because I can. 

A Quick Look At July

July started like this: 

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir came to New York to sing at Carnegie Hall, and with them, my dear friend Amanda.  The Choir was amazing in that space.  

My first time in Carnegie Hall was a WIN.  

It was so great to spend some quality time with Amanda. We hit up the Natural History museum and Levain Bakery for her first Levain cookie, obviously.  

I think she was underwhelmed. 

Also: I ate a cannoli that I actually really liked.  Which is new for me.  So, there's that.

My cute friend Rachel had a birthday party.  I like her.

The Fourth of July happened!  I started the day with a little celebratory run in my Freedom Run socks from the 5k I did last year in Utah.  

Then Dallin, Rachel, Melanie and Ros and I went to Riis Beach.  The day started with some rain, but cleared up beautifully, and it was lovely. 

Mel, me, and Ros.  I just love my people!

Melanie and I made kind of a defective alligator, especially compared to Dallin's sand castle. 

 

The artist hard at work, while the children/strangers flock and take pictures.  And try to help.  And Rachel tries to harness the "helpful" energy. 

In the meantime, I just lay on the beach and chat instead of getting my hands dirty with creating things! ;-) I leave the child-whispering and sand-art to the experts. 

I mean...

Rachel. 

Mel and I.  I sure like her. And I like my hat.

  We ended the day by watching fireworks on top of the parking garage by Target on the east side of Harlem.  Murica!

Me, Dallin, Katerina (who joined for fireworks), Ros, and Rachel. 

Happy Fourth.  I love this country!

End of June Update, Lunch Break Wanderings, and Who Knew Katharine Hepburn Had a Garden?

At the end of June, I went to Shakespeare in the Park's production of The Tempest with some friends.  It is amazing to me that I can go see a professional, amazing production for FREE in Central Park in the summertime.  Well done, Public Theatre.  Well done. 

The summer wouldn't be summer without another Central Park #holycrapimrunning pic.  I just love this place. 

I usually go for walks when I take my lunch breaks.  First of all, I've decided the Chrysler Building is my favorite in the city.  It's iconic to me.  Also, who knew I worked so close to the UN?  I didn't until recently. 

One of my best discoveries was a tiny garden dedicated to Katharine Hepburn.  She was apparently an avid gardener and conservationist.  It was very charming, and I loved the quotes on the stones on the walkway.  They are hard to see, hence, the gigantic size of the pictures.  I need to share the love.  You're welcome. (Please forgive my creepy shadow).

New York City. You never know what you'll find around the corner, do you?  

Just a night with the girls....and David.

Ros, Rachel, Sharon, Brook and I went to dinner at the end of June to celebrate Ros' New Yorkiversary of 10 years. (Yes, those are a thing.  See my post here.  It's like living and thriving here is an accomplishment to be celebrated.  Or maybe we just like celebrating).

I have spent a lot of time with these ladies in the last year, and we are very close.  It also acted as a last hurrah before Brook left for 6 weeks on business, and Sharon left....indefinitely.  I don't like it when friends leave.  We really are each other's family out here, and so it feels extra sad.

By the time dinner ended, David had texted me to say he had an obscene amount of banana pudding from Magnolia Bakery (THE BEST) on hand.  So of course we went straight over!  And this all happened on his deck.

Ros Ord, me, Rachel Perkins, Brook Mecham, and Sharon Harris. Just getting a little handsy with Ros.  Don't worry about it. 

Brook and I think we take great selfies together, clearly, as evidenced above.  But if you need more proof, see this post and this one.