Murphy's in Nauvoo

Handcart trail, Brianne's good ride

The Nauvoo oxen

On board for the oxen ride


Hold on to those horns

Saturday in Nauvoo

Oh no my shoes!

Eary Saturday Trent and I went and walked down Parley street. They have actors in costume up and down the street sharing from journal entries of leaving Nauvoo and their faith. It was really touching. Then Trent dropped me off so I could pick up tickets for the shows and wagon ride and went to pick up kids for their 9:00 a.m. handcart trail. The pictures don't show but we had to go up and down slippery muddy hills. We were all very muddy (shoes,pants)! We had a few complaining kids because they did'nt wear the right shoes and got their good ones all muddy but in the end they were good sports and enjoyed pulling the handcart. We then rode the oxen, and also stopped by the black smith shop, they gave every one a prarie ring. Before lunch and of course after everyone cleaned up the mud we stopped by the brick makers and learned how to make bricks, and had a wagon ride through Nauvoo. We then went to a mantinee and watched the young performing missionaries in "High Hopes and River Boats" they were so good! We just had to stop and get Nauvoo Fudge, eat dinner and then come back to "Sunset at the Mississippi". What a fun program for all ages. It was a fun and packed day.

Carthage Jail

the bullet hole that killed Hyrum

We went to carthage jail on our way to Nauvoo from Hannibal.

Nauvoo Temple

Spencer the pioneer


On Monday July 13th Trent and I did a morning session at the Nauvoo Temple. They asked us to be the witness couple. That was such a neat experience and a memory we will not forget. As we were leaving they asked us if we wanted to see Joseph Smith sword they had in one of the offices. We said sure, as we went in the sword was displayed on the wall in a glass case with the words below that said this sword was given by Joseph Smith to James Alred at Carthage Jail. The sword was then donated by the Alred family to the Temple. We had just been to the Land and Records Office looking up the James Alred line because he is a relative on mom's side. He was one of the ten men that went to accompany Joseph at Carthage. That was way cool!

Later in the afternoon, Trent and all the Girls did Baptisms for the dead. The girls each did 15 baptisms. What a neat experience for Trent to baptize his girls for 45 women. We were told that the very first font was made of wood and it wasn't lasting or wearing out from so much use, so they made another font like the one in there now but never got to use it before they were kicked out. They wanted it finished before they were kicked out of Nauvoo and we were told they did finish it for it was very important to them to leave the temple finished for the Lord. It was very touching to know of their dedication for the Temple. Spencer was very jealous that he could not go in. So I took him to Pioneer pastimes and he was very excited to dress like a pioneer. He kept asking me why he doesn't have any pioneer clothes at home and that I should make him some. He loved playing all the pioneer games and winning in stick pull.

Zion's Murphy Reunion

The Cabin

Winter Quarters (Omaha Nebraska)

Love Tara's smile

We drove from Winter Quarters to Morgan Utah to stay the night with Trent's parents. On Map Quest it says that it should take 12 1/2 hours. It took us about 14 hrs. Long drive but it took the pioneers 3 months to walk. So no complaining. Then we woke up early and drove down to Zion's National Park. Lynnette had reserved a cabin and all the family pitched in. It was a huge cabin on the East side of Zion's. It had 4 bedrooms, 4 bath rooms and a jacuzzi outside and a huge TV room with video games that Spencer enjoyed. Horse shoes pits outside, that the guys enjoyed and not to far from all the beautiful trails. We hiked Angels Landing Friday morning. It is 2 1/2 miles all up hill! The end is very strenuous for you have cable's to help pull yourself up the last 1/2 mile. Coming down is just hard on the knees Even Spencer did this, he was tough! In the Afternoon we spent the day playing in the water at the narrows with all the cousins. We had so much fun we were so tired at the end of the day! It was great to visit with everyone!

Sendona June 2009

At the top of Cathedral rock

West Fork Trailhead

Beautiful Sedona Sunset


Some of our Sedona Pictures

Summer 2009

Trent's 45th birthday you look good in glasses


Spencer learning to shoot at CubScout Day Camp



Our summer was so busy that I can't believe its over! Tara's Graduation from High School. We had a dinner for her that night and invited all including her good friend Heather and her family. The week that school was letting out Spencer and I went to Cub Scout Day Camp for a few days. Then we celebrated Trent's 45th Birthday. Do you notice any new apparel? The very next day we went up to Sedona for 3 days to celebrate our 21st anniversary. We hiked Cathedral Rock, beautiful but all up hill. We also hiked the West Fork in Oak Creek. It reminds me of Zion's where you end up hiking in the water up the trail. Its a 3-4 mile hike to the trails end and then you start hiking in water. We also took a tour in the pink jeep tours. Wow, what sights! But dang I left my camera in the car. We stayed in "Canyon Wren Cabins for Two" Its a bed and breakfast place. It was such a nice trip! It was so nice to have girls that were responsible to leave Spencer with. Wow 21 years married! Time really flies. The next week was girls camp for Brianne and Alyssa and that was our month.