15yrs.

Bruce turned 15years old on the 12th. We love this guy. He picked Red Robin for his birthday dinner with Robert and I. His dessert of choice was of course Cinnabon. Bruce is such a great young man. He always tries to be obedient, he's super smart, and keeps us laughing. I only got one picture of him this year. Turns out that teenage boys don't always like having their picture taken. :) 

Happy 15th Bruce. We love you!

Chicago - Our Last Stop

Chicago was the last stop on our vacation. The kids loved seeing the big city. I liked watching them experience the sights and sounds of a big city for the first time(that they remember).

We had some good food, explored the city and survived a long ride on the L Train. 

We also did a lot of relaxing and swimming in Chicago. 

It was a long drive through a lot of farmland to get there. 

 Claire's school teacher had told her about the Big Bean. 

She was so excited to finally see it in person.

Carthage Jail

We had a sweet experience at Carthage Jail. We didn't get many pictures because they ask that you don't take too many but just feel the spirit present. We definitely felt the spirit there as we were able to be in the same place Joseph was when he was killed. We listened to all of the details and I couldn't help but feel so grateful for Hyrum refusing to leave his brother Joseph knowing that staying with him would likely mean his death. My heart hurt thinking of poor Lucy losing two more sons that day. Poor Emma and her children also went through so much. I am so grateful for Joseph and that he never gave up and never denied what he knew to be true. We owe him so much. Praise to the Man.

This is the window on the 2nd floor that Joseph fell out of after being shot. He made his way to that window and in so doing saved the lives of the others in the room.

 The large bullet hole is the bullet that came through first, killing Hyrum. The hole on the right is where the bullet came through shooting off the lock.

 This well at the bottom is where the mob propped up Joseph. They continued to shoot and stab him.:(

We spent our Sabbath Day here on our vacation. Can't think of a more appropriate place.

4th of July

We had a relaxing 4th of July. 

We went to the Oceanside Independence Parade where Linda marched 

with the OHS Color Guard.

That night we watched fireworks and lit sparklers in a friend's back yard. 

Bruce escaped from getting his photo taken once more.

Nauvoo

We spent two days in Nauvoo. 

Robert and I both had relatives in Nauvoo. We were able to find their land! My anscestor's land was still open, Robert's was being used to farm alfalfa. Robert was able to talk to the people that currently owned that property. 

James Goff used to own this property.

Benjamin Brown property

The Saints had one last look at the temple in the distance as they left the city they loved.

The Trail of Tears (above and below) The route the pioneers took out of Nauvoo and over the frozen Mississippi River. The names in this monument are those that died on the journey. There are hundreds of names missing. The Busenbark's were some of my ancestors.

The temple was gorgeous. Robert, Bruce, and Linda were able to go in and do some temple work.

We watched a show put on by the senior missionaries and performing missionaries. Claire even got to march in a little parade and go up on stage!

Overall, we LOVED Nauvoo. It is so beautiful. We are so grateful that we were able to walk where so many before us walked. We're forever grateful for their sacrifices.

Claire's 10th Birthday!

Claire turned 10yrs. old on the 9th! Our baby is double-digits. The Saturday before her birthday she had a little birthday party with family and friends. She had so much fun. She wanted to have a Hobbit/Lord of the Rings party but settled for an animal party because I couldn't find anything for the other party. Haha!  

 On her real birthday day she had her annual convertible ride with Grandpa and the twins for lunch. The three of them are the same age for one day every year. 
Later we had some pecan pie, her favorite, for her birthday dessert. 

We love Claire so so much. She is very affectionate, funny, likes to try out new vocabulary, will only walk next to me with her arm around my waste, adores her dad, and is a complete original. 

Happy happy birthday sweet Claire!