Hannibal, Missouri

Today we got up and headed straight for the St. Louis, Missouri LDS temple. We didn't know it when we booked our room, but the temple was only 10 minutes from our hotel. Moreover, it had just re-opened that morning after being closed for a 2-week maintenance period. I guess you could say that stars aligned for us to be able to go. I love going to the temple. I love feeling like I can take all the weight off my shoulders as I enter...and only pick up a third of it as I leave. The temple allows me to put things in perspective and gives me a greater feeling of strength to endure the bumpy roads of life.

After doing a session at the temple, Jeff and I headed to Hannibal - birthplace of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. I read several books as a child, but there are only a few of which I can actually recall details. Tom Sawyer was one such book. I think I loved Tom Sawyer because he was just a normal, curious, adventurous kid. I guess I kind of envied his imagination and ingenuity. In any case, it was so much fun to visit the town and learn about the actual people who inspired the characters and stories of the book. We saw the house Mark Twain grew up in, which was right across the street from Laura Frazer's house (who inspired the character of Becky Thatcher). We learned about the boy who became Huckleberry Finn and saw the caves that Mark Twain played in as a child which then became a part of his book. It was a fun way to spend our first full vacation day. 

Mark Twain museum

There were 16 original Norman Rockwell paintings of Tom Sawyer in the museum.

Mark Twain's father's office. (He was Judge Thatcher in the book.)

Laura Frazer's (Becky Thatcher) house

They were refurbishing the exterior of his house so I took a picture of a postcard of his house (the white one).

Tom and Huck statue

Mark Twain lighthouse overlooking the Mississippi River that he loved so much. 

Inside the cave were thousand of signatures of people who had explored the cave from the late 1800's.

Jesse James was one of the individuals who used the cave to hide out.

After we finished exploring there, we headed to Keokuk, Iowa where we stayed for the next few nights. Before we checked into our hotel, we drove a few miles up the Mississippi River to the town of Montrose, Iowa. From there, we could see the beautiful Nauvoo temple. This was most likely where the early pioneers crossed the Mississippi River and was where they had their last glimpse of the beautiful temple they sacrificed to build. I can imagine the tears of those early saints. I can imagine their heartache at leaving their homes. I can imagine the apprehension of the unknown future, but, more than that, I can imagine their unconquerable faith that led them out west. 

The small white structure across the river is the temple.

St. Louis

Today Jeff and I took off for Missouri/Illinois (with brief stays in Iowa and Kansas). We have made it a tradition to take at least one vacation a year without the kids. I feel that it has been extremely important to have this time to simply be husband and wife, not mom and dad or business partners. We didn't get to have the traditional newly wed experience. Instead, we've had to manage getting to know ourselves as individuals and how we click as a married couple on top of meshing two very different parenting styles. Needless to say, I treasure these vacations when we can just be together without any other distractions. I have enjoyed the trips we've taken thus far...and look forward to many more. This year we decided to head to Nauvoo. I have always wanted to visit Nauvoo. My third great-grandfather, Charles Shumway, lived in Nauvoo in the early 1840's. The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fled to Nauvoo after the governor of Missouri issued an extermination order (basically making it open hunting season on Mormons). The members were welcomed into Illinois and built a beautiful city on the Mississippi river. There they were able to live peacefully for about 5 years before tensions again increased and they were again forced to leave their land and belongings to head west. Charles was the first Mormon pioneer to cross the Mississippi in February 1846 (two years after the martyrdom of the prophet Joseph Smith). I feel an overwhelming sense of pride when I think about my early pioneer ancestors. I marvel at their faith and conviction in the face of relentless persecution. I admire their perseverance and positive attitudes amidst the trials they endured. I can only hope that my actions and choices in this life will make them proud of me as well. In any case, we flew into St. Louis Monday afternoon and headed to Gateway Arch. There wasn't much that interested me in St. Louis, but I did want to see the arch that stands as a monument to the westward migration. It is a pretty impressive monument, especially when you consider how intricately the builders had to follow the plans so as to get both sides to meet directly in the middle. Jeff and I took a few pictures of the exterior before heading inside to take the tour to the top - 630 feet in the air. We entered the museum area and were escorted to the doors of the elevator that would allow us to go to the top. Because the structure is an arch, the elevators were unique. In fact, they looked like some space bubble out of the TV cartoon The Jetsons. When the elevators doors opened to reveal a small pod-like cabin with five seats, I started to worry that my claustrophobia might kick in! Luckily, I sat by the door which had a window to look out at the interior of the arch and the ride was only 4 minutes so I didn't have to breathe into a bag or meditate to stop from hyperventilating. The view from the top was pretty impressive! It looked down on the old courthouse (which we didn't have a chance to tour) where the famed Dred Scott case took place (that was a catalyst for the Civil War). Also from the top, we could see the St. Louis Rams' stadium and the St. Louis Cardinal's stadium.

This is the little elevator pod to go up the arch! Crazy huh?!

View of the Mississippi on one side.

The skyline on the other side.

After touring the arch, Jeff and I checked in at our hotel before meeting up with one of Jeff's old friends from Craig, Colorado, Rick Furniss. We met up with Rick and his family for dinner at a near-by mall. It was funny to listen to Jeff and Rick reminisce about their glory days...or maybe not so glorious days. Rick's wife, Ann, and their children were such a pleasure to be around. I was glad we had the opportunity to meet up. It was a great start to our vacation.

Jeff hardly ever likes to be in pictures so when he requested that I take a picture of him with the oversized hamburger, I knew I had to put it on the blog. 

Jeff wit Rick and two of his kids, Rachel and Simon.

Flag Football

This week Danny started playing in his second year of flag football. To say that he was excited would be the understatement of the year! He has been waiting for this for quite some time (especially since he didn't do any sports over the summer). He could not hold still on the field to save his life. Each time he was out to play, you could quickly point him out because he was the only kid who would be running in place, jumping up and down, flapping his arms, etc. It was pretty funny. He is playing for Payson City on the Jaguars team. He has a really good, patient coach. I think any coach who coaches young kids has to be a saint. Jeff did it last year and he said it was like herding cats. Danny has been assigned to play running back and full back. He did a good job. He has that natural Southwick athletic ability...plus a little of the Southwick ego too (unfortunately). Here are just a few pictures from his game tonight:

Ogden LDS Temple Re-dedication

Today Jeff, the kids, and I had an incredible opportunity to participate, via satellite, in the Ogden LDS Temple Re-dedication. Ogden has had a temple since 1972, but in 2012, the church decided to tear down all but the foundation and build a new structure. A couple weeks ago, we met up with Jeff's brother, Stan, and his family, to tour the temple during the open house. It is beautiful...then again, I have never been in a temple that wasn't exquisite. There isn't a lot of opulence; just subtle beauty in the amazing craftsmanship and artwork, but what is even more impressive is the peace that I can feel inside those walls. Well today was the day to dedicate that beautiful structure to the Lord. Today is when this building went from being just another beautiful religious building to a House of the Lord. This was Danny's first time attending a temple dedication. We were able to go to our local church building and have the proceedings broadcast to us from Ogden. There were several short talks given by church leaders about the importance of temples before our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, delivered the dedicatory prayer. Even though we weren't in the temple during these proceedings, the peace we could feel in the church building was palpable. I am so grateful for these astounding edifices around the world. I'm grateful for the instruction, peace, and strength I find within their walls. I am grateful for the eternal promises I have received in I remain faithful. I am grateful for temples!

Home Improvements, Football, and Sadies

This morning started with two large cement trucks at our house. Luckily, Jeff and the boys returned from camping in enough time for Jeff to supervise another home improvement project. Actually, this was an addition to the shop out back. Once we finished the lean-to, Jeff decided he wanted to pour cement to hopefully deter flies immediately around the shop and to keep the stable a little cleaner for the goat and cow. Before he even poured the cement, however, he first laid down oxygen barrier tubing for radiant heat (should we decide to use it). Yes, our cow is a little spoiled. In any case, I think the end result looks great. It seems that each year, this house and property keeps transforming into a home that we hope to have for many years to come.

And football continues...! I'm not going to overwhelm you with tons of pictures, but there will still be a few more being posted for at least another month before the season is over. Today Danny actually started football as well. He had practice in the morning then we went to see Dallin play that afternoon. I had a relaxing morning, but as soon as the boys came home, I was out the door playing taxi driver, errand runner, and football mom!

Danny's first practice

Dallin and his friend, Tyler

After all the football events, we returned home where both of the boys quickly lost energy (especially when they were reminded they had chores to do!). Danny took a couple hour nap and Dallin lounged around for a bit. Needless to say, it was a more relaxing evening, except for Amber. Tonight she went to Sadies. This is a girl-ask-guy dance. She asked a kid from our church, Jonny. The theme was Grease Lightning so they dressed in 50s attire. Judging from her noise level coming home from the dance, I would say the evening was a success. Then again, when you're with Amber, there is always fun to be had! I'm so glad that she is choosing to have such positive high school experiences. I'm grateful for the good kids we have!

Fathers and Sons Outing

The boys, especially Danny, have been waiting all week for this! Camping with Dad...life doesn't get much better than that. Our church congregation (ward) held an overnight camp-out for all the fathers and sons. This is an annual event, usually held in the Spring, but this year they did it in the fall. The plan was to leave right after the boys got out of school, but plans were a little delayed when we realized that our well pump had gone out. Yup...the joys of country living! No well pump = no water! Luckily, I know an excellent plumber who was on the job within the hour. It still took Jeff and a couple of his employees the better part of the day to pull the pump and replace it. I guess I can't really complain too much. We've never had any problems with the pump; this was the first time we needed to replace it...and it should last us another 10 years before we need to do it again.

Jeff did finish pretty quickly and was still able to get the boys up the canyon with plenty of time to enjoy the evening with friends. Jeff said the boys had a blast...and if their physical appearance was any indication of how the camp-out went, I'd say they enjoyed themselves. Danny came back a darker shade of brown from head to toe! I don't understand how that kid can get so filthy so quickly! In any case, they enjoyed riding bikes, hiking, and just hanging out around the campfire. I'm grateful that the kids have such a great dad. They are truly his treasures, and he makes sure that the amount of time he spends with them reflects the amount of love he feels for them.

(Since Jeff and the boys were gone and Amber had play practice that evening, I asked Penny and Katie if they'd be my date. They were gracious enough to take pity on me so we had a sushi dinner then went to see When The Game Stands Tall. It was a fun night! I'm grateful for such wonderful in-laws!! Thanks again!)