Illinois!

We went to visit Dava and Jana and family this past Easter break in Alton, IL. We left Thursday afternoon and made it in around 9pm.

Enjoyed catching up and made ourselves go to bed 12. Friday morning we made our way (30min) up to St. Louis and saw/went up into the arch!



After lunch and lots of muddy dirty boys we ventured over to the science center.

Came home around 4:30pm (and at 5pm a tornado ripped through the St.Louis airport-blowing out windows etc!) Jana made a delicious lasagna we all couldn't wait to gobble up and then invited friends over for a fun game night. We laughed so hard (well I did) at embarrassing moments and so enjoyed their friends in Alton. Friends left at 11 and we made ourselves stop talking and go to bed at 1am.
7am up again this time 3 hours to Carthage first/then Nauvoo. We made pretty good time.




It was so amazing being there, the spirit was so strong.
They have the "trail of hope"- the path leading to the Mississippi river where the saints had to cross. It flows very swiftly and boats were having a hard time getting the saints across.

One day the whole river froze over so the saints could walk across (one mile wide!) and winter was already ending. They had several thousands of names on a wall of people who began the journey but never made it.

We also stopped in the "School of Prophets" and were able to see the book of names of all the men that met in that building. Ezra T. Clark's name was in that book. And also Edward Corless. The boys were able to sign their names as ancestors to these men.

At the temple (it's up on a beautiful hill that overlooks the valley and Mississippi river) there is a statue of Joseph and Hyrum on their horseback ride to Carthage.


It shows Joseph looking back and says on the plaque "These are such beautiful people. This is such a beautiful place. And they have no idea what awaits them." It brought me to tears~ realizing the faith these saints had to go forward and endure. I know I have daily trials and as I go forward with faith and endure I feel as if I am "pioneering" for my family. So grateful for what they did, and truly blessed for all we have. ~ I didn't realize there is so much to see and do.It was beautiful.
We also went to Carthage Jail. Preston and Jacob were in awe that this was the place where Joseph Smith died.



The bullet hole is still in the door that shot Hyrum first.
Back a Nauvoo we stopped at their cemetery. We had great reverence for their families. Ryan said a prayer of gratitude for all they did for the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are so blessed by their sacrifices.
We enjoyed all the different homes/history to visit and learn and crafts/trinkets the boys got to bring home. We went to dinner at the Nauvoo Inn buffet and enjoyed all the fresh carved roast, ham, turkey, salads, sides and dessert. 3 hr drive back to Alton, a little delay (Jana it was totally Ryan's fault;))and then home. The kids wanted to play the wii together one last time, and we wanted to talk all night long. Bed around 2:30am and next morning, Easter morning, pack-up and long drive (8hrs+) back home to MI. We made it to Papa and Nona's house by 6pm for Easter dinner and to say good bye to Guillherme, Ryan's cousin visiting from Brasil. It was too quick, but so much fun. Many thanks to Dave and Jana for hosting such a fun adventure! As Jana says, "meet you next time in Dallas!" Would love to see you there!