Backyard Transformation Page

If you'd like to see the yard as it was built over the last 5 years just check out the new page at the top of my blog by clicking on Backyard Transformation. 

Carthage and Nauvoo

 We flew out to Indianapolis to visit with Roxanne and her family.  Grandma

and Grandpa came too.  We drove to Illinois to see Carthage and Nauvoo.

We stood in the jail cell and saw the jailer's living quarters 

including the bedroom where the Prophet Joseph was killed.  

 The bullet hole is still in the door. 

This is the window that the prophet fell from.  

We had fun working and playing as the pioneers did.  

Curtis and I were able to saw it off faster than the boys. 

No one got a picture, of course. 

Even I was able to take a few steps on the stilts. . . in my flip flops.

 

We loved the pageant and the other plays.  The traveling Brass Band 

was fun to hear as it went all through old and new Nauvoo. 

We learned about the YPM or Young Performing Missionaries 

who are called to serve for one summer.  

They must audition and only the best are chosen. 

We were able to attend the temple to do baptisms.  

It was a wonderful experience.

This monument is special, not only because it is of Joseph and Hyrum, but because 

that is my third great-grandfather's horse Joseph is riding. William Henrie and his wife, 

Myra Mayall, joined the church in Ohio and moved to join the Saints in Nauvoo, IL. 

They bought a farm next to Joseph Smith's. John Taylor came to William and asked 

if he could borrow one of his horses for Joseph to ride to Carthage Jail. The horse 

was returned, but of course, they did not see their beloved prophet again. 

(As posted on Lucky Seven. Thanks, Roxanne for the write up. . . it was perfect.)

This was the original ballroom floor that our ancestors actually danced on.

 Sunset over the Mississippi.

 This is the view the saints had looking back as 

they left Nauvoo down Parley Street.

The Canoe's Maiden Voyage to Payson Lakes

We had a great day on the lake. 

 

Kyle was only dry for a few minutes.

 

Brian and Kyle with Brooklyn.

 

Kelsi and Brian

 Brooklyn loved the water.

 Had to prove himself. . and luckily he stayed dry!

 

Adam, Brooklyn and Rochelle

 Bryan and Rochelle

 

Grandpa and Grandma with Brooklyn.

Alleah didn't get to ride. . . maybe next time.

Camping Anyone?

We have purchased a pop up camper trailer.  We had Sam check it out since the previous owner was in his town.  He even brought it to us once we decided to get it.  It is fairly new and in very good condition except for the hokey shower system. 

 

Curtis made a sturdy seat to replace the weak one and we hung a curtain rod with a new shower curtain. This is how it closes up when it's not in use and can be a used as a seat.

 

 

I found the flexible rod and hooks online.

 

 

It'll work nicely for a quick shower in the wild.  We were glad to 

discover that there's a water heater, so it can be a warm shower too. Yay!

 

 

The camper has a table, stove, fridge and sink and it sleeps 5 adults.

 

At one time it had curtains at both ends to give the beds some privacy, but they're gone, so I made some new ones.  I'm waiting for the clips to come in the mail, so they can be hung.  The fabric has lakes, mountains and trees on it, so it's perfect for a camper.  We are excited to go camping this summer.
 

Canoe Test

 

We decided to test the canoe for leaks.  

 

The pool is not big enough to go very far, 

but at least we know it won't sink!

 

We haven't heated the pool yet, so the water was very cold.  

Sure glad we didn't tip it over.

Cenotes in Mexico

We took a snorkel trip to the Caribbean Sea while we were in Mexico.  We saw 

lots of fish and even two stingrays.  We also swam in two freshwater cenotes.  

A cenote is a deep natural sinkhole resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock 

that exposes groundwater underneath.  Cenote water is often very clear, as the water 

comes from rain water infiltrating slowly through the ground, and therefore contains 

very little suspended particulate matter.

The first cenote we swam in was an open one that was just like 

a big pond.  It had little fish in it that liked to nibble on our toes.

 

We also jumped from a high dive and I was amazed that  I did it.  I even went first!  I did it 

a second time, but bruised my tailbone, so I should have stuck with the one jump!

 

 Next, we tried the zip line.  It was pretty fun!

 

 

 

 

 

Our second cenote was a covered one in a cave.  This is the view looking out.

There were some underwater lights to help us see, but it was 

dark and eerie at first. The water was perfectly clear and it was a 

little bit cold, but it had some stalactites and a few bats 

on the ceiling.  It was very deep in some places, 

but it was all very cool.