Summer means Vacation time and we decided to make it a Midwest vacation since we now live in the Midwest. Our location also enticed my parents and brother and his family to join us. We hit the majority of the church sites like Far West pictured above and Carthage, watched a White Sox/Royals game, explored Mark Twain's cave, rode a river boat, rode 10 roller coasters in 2 hours, rode to the top of the Gateway Arch, visited Daniel Boone's home, saw the Budweiser Clydesdales', watched the play "Meet me in St. Louis at the U.S.' largest outdoor theater, and ended with the Nauvoo Pageant. It was a great vacation especially because it was spent with family.
Brindi and Mom at the White Sox game in Kansas City. Below is our nephew Daxton at the game.
One of our first church stops was Liberty Jail. It was a really cool place to visit and be reminded of some of the great revelations Joseph recieved in Liberty.
Above you can see what the Jail looked liked when Joseph and others were held captive. Below is a picture of the front of the building.
Grandpa and Brindi hanging out at Far West.
Overlooking the Adam-ondi-Ahman valley. It is crazy to think of this valley being filled with all those of the world who have held keys. I think Brindi was also pretty impressed.
We were also able to go swimming one night where we introduced Kari to Chicken Fighting. Can you believe she has never played it before? Afterwards as we were relaxing in the Juccuzi, the hotel management came in to tell us the water had been contaminated with a poopy diaper. I thought it tasted a little weird!
While at Independance, Brindi loved playing in the kids area. Especially with this horse.
Once we arrived in St. Louis we went to Grant's Farm which is the homestead of Ulysses Grant and is owned by Anheuser-Busch which is one of the breeding sites for the famous Budweiser Clydesdale.
We also visited the Gateway Arch which represented the Gateway to the West and was near where Lewis and Clark started their quest to the pacific. I have to admit it was a little wierd riding in these small capsules to the top of the Arch, but it has some great views.
We visited Hannibal which is home to Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain. We saw a few cool exhibits about his life and his books. We also took a Steamboat ride up and down the Mississippi and explored the cave that is mentioned is the Tales of Huckleberry Finn.
We then made the drive up to Carthage to visit the famouse jail. It was a humbling experience being there. Something really special.
Out front of Carthage Jail in front of the statues of Joseph and Hyrum. My mom and dad were also determined to get Brindi walking by the end of the trip. Sad to say it didn't happen, yet.
Grandpa also thought he would help by dressing Brindi one day. She wasn't much a fan of the tube socks:) Below is also a picture of Brindi and Dax. She loved being around him and depending on her mood would want to hold him and hug him. It was really cute.
Brindi loved this stature in Nauvoo because the girl was her exact size. Also as you can see we try to imitate the sculpture, except Brindi would only walk towards Celeste.
We also thought we should try to imitate it for my mom and dad.
We visited everything we could in Nauvoo and saw several little plays and vignettes but the highlight for me was the pageant. It was amazing. Really well done.
The siblings minus Trent
Taryn and Peytin both wanting
Dad after dinner...can't beat dutch oven
Brennon in the horse shoe tournament
Bryant getting dirty
Grammy and Brindi
All the girl grand kids except two...
This is what I came home to the other day. Brindi gazing under our porch oooing and aaahing and pointing frantically under the step. So I bent over to see what all the fuss was about and it seems we had a visitor wander into our back yard. So I reached under and pulled out our new little friend, a turtle! This got Brindi all excited not knowing what to do next. I placed it up on the step so she could get a better look at. After seeing me touch it she got enough courage to take a swip at it herself. We actually did not want her to touch it but oh well. We then put him back on the ground and he continued on his path beneath our porch. He just stopped off for a friendly visit that made Brindi's day.
y one that she is at least facing the camera!
We are finally catching up. The 24th of July is the time for both of our families reunions. Celeste drove out to Utah a week early and stayed with my family allowing Brindi to get some grandparent attention. I flew out the day before the 24th. We headed to the Parade and watched the rodeo later that night. We then headed to Rock Candy Mountain (pictured above) for the Petersen reunion. We had a blast on the river, playing card games, riding the 4-wheelers and being sick as a dog, all 3 of us. Then I flew back home and Celeste headed to Arizona for the Hancock reunion. They headed to the mountain for games and family fun.
Brindi and Easton hanging out at the Hinckley Parade.
My little brother taking a Polar Bear swim at the camp-out. I love his arms in this picture.
Notice how clean she starts out.
Tristan and Brindi hanging out eating some watermelon.
Brindi's Close-up
Can you guess if Kadence likes watermelon?
Brindi loved riding the 4-wheeler
Waiting for the candy to be thrown at the Hancock reunion.
Her winnings!
Brindi had so much fun on the tire swing. She is so Cute!
Watch her do her tricks:) 
Summer means Vacation time and we decided to make it a Midwest vacation since we now live in the Midwest. Our location also enticed my parents and brother and his family to join us. We hit the majority of the church sites like Far West pictured above and Carthage, watched a White Sox/Royals game, explored Mark Twain's cave, rode a river boat, rode 10 roller coasters in 2 hours, rode to the top of the Gateway Arch, visited Daniel Boone's home, saw the Budweiser Clydesdales', watched the play "Meet me in St. Louis at the U.S.' largest outdoor theater, and ended with the Nauvoo Pageant. It was a great vacation especially because it was spent with family.
Brindi and Mom at the White Sox game in Kansas City. Below is our nephew Daxton at the game.
One of our first church stops was Liberty Jail. It was a really cool place to visit and be reminded of some of the great revelations Joseph recieved in Liberty.
Above you can see what the Jail looked liked when Joseph and others were held captive. Below is a picture of the front of the building.
Grandpa and Brindi hanging out at Far West.
Overlooking the Adam-ondi-Ahman valley. It is crazy to think of this valley being filled with all those of the world who have held keys. I think Brindi was also pretty impressed.
We were also able to go swimming one night where we introduced Kari to Chicken Fighting. Can you believe she has never played it before? Afterwards as we were relaxing in the Juccuzi, the hotel management came in to tell us the water had been contaminated with a poopy diaper. I thought it tasted a little weird!
While at Independance, Brindi loved playing in the kids area. Especially with this horse.
Once we arrived in St. Louis we went to Grant's Farm which is the homestead of Ulysses Grant and is owned by Anheuser-Busch which is one of the breeding sites for the famous Budweiser Clydesdale.
We also visited the Gateway Arch which represented the Gateway to the West and was near where Lewis and Clark started their quest to the pacific. I have to admit it was a little wierd riding in these small capsules to the top of the Arch, but it has some great views.
We visited Hannibal which is home to Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain. We saw a few cool exhibits about his life and his books. We also took a Steamboat ride up and down the Mississippi and explored the cave that is mentioned is the Tales of Huckleberry Finn.
We then made the drive up to Carthage to visit the famouse jail. It was a humbling experience being there. Something really special.
Out front of Carthage Jail in front of the statues of Joseph and Hyrum. My mom and dad were also determined to get Brindi walking by the end of the trip. Sad to say it didn't happen, yet.
Grandpa also thought he would help by dressing Brindi one day. She wasn't much a fan of the tube socks:) Below is also a picture of Brindi and Dax. She loved being around him and depending on her mood would want to hold him and hug him. It was really cute.
Brindi loved this stature in Nauvoo because the girl was her exact size. Also as you can see we try to imitate the sculpture, except Brindi would only walk towards Celeste.
We also thought we should try to imitate it for my mom and dad.
We visited everything we could in Nauvoo and saw several little plays and vignettes but the highlight for me was the pageant. It was amazing. Really well done.
This was the first year we were able to plant a garden and Celeste and I were so worried that it would not produce. So you can imagine our excitement as things started to grow. As you can see, Brindi was excited to get her hands on the first fruit of the season.