back in nauvoo

After our little jaunt to Missouri we headed back to Nauvoo for a couple more fun-filled days. I think we all enjoyed the shade of the wagon ride.
Goose face!Jakey aka Spider-man!
Whose bright idea was it to put that water tower there?? I know the temple probably wasn't there at the time but still.
Me and Buster.
All the pretty horses.
Ignore the factories in the background.
Bubbles and her sweet shades.
The mighty Mississipp! Yes I know there's an 'i' on the end but don't they say that in a song from some Disney movie from the 50's? Davey Crockett maybe? Anyways that's just how I say it.
I love this river.
Sleeping Mimi.
I love cutting grass, but man mowing that hill with a push mower might take a while!
Okay seriously who would buy this? It is just creepy. "And a collection of Russian nesting dolls..." (Nacho voice).
Those pioneer women sure knew how to strike a pose! Audrey Hepburn meets Laura Ingalls?
Now that is one mess of tangly hair.
Mimi and the Goose playing/fighting on the stairs.
Lukey face!!
The infamous Goose stinkeye. Can't beat that ladies and gents.
I love this Goose face, too.
Jakey with his superpowers ring and a little critter.
Teaching Jakey the joy of Relief Society arms. I love Lucy's commentary (her glow-stick necklace had popped apart).

the old missouri homestead

During the reunion we took a trip to where my Grampa Wood grew up in Missouri. I don't know what I had expected, but I didn't expect it to be so beautiful and hilly there! Here's the pond at the Pepperwood Farm (click on pictures to enlarge).A pretty field on the property.
Path to the graveyard.
Kinda reminded me of the Sacred Grove.
Sunshot.
What's that peeking through the weeds?
An awesome old tractor!
I love when the sun's rays blast through the clouds like this.
In the house.

Cute old picket fence.
Hey what's Gilligan doing off the island?!
I had no idea that Missouri was so hilly! I loved it but a few times it made my stomach jump up into my mouth while we were driving.
Where Grampa was born.
My camera just could not capture the depth of this scene. It was breathtaking in real life.

In the car with the Goose.
A cool old bridge.
Great-Uncle Glenn's backyard - I have fond memories of playing here as a kid.
Laying under the apple tree.

Other parts of the yard.

Is this a tiger lily? I think it should be called a leopard/cheetah/ocelot lily instead.
Jofuf taking a picture or two.
Three three-year-olds means triple the trouble! Jakey, Bubbles and Lizzy playing with the windchimes.
Benji chasing after the Goose.
MIMI!!
We became real pals on this trip.
One thing I love about country living - no need to run inside when ya gotta go!

old nauvoo

No folks, you're not dreaming - I'm actually going to post my pictures from the reunion!! Here are some of my favorites from our first few days in Nauvoo (click on the pictures to enlarge):Lydia strikes a pose as we head out on an evening walk.Home sweet home for five days.
The banks of the mighty Mississipp - it's weird to think that I live down the street from this same river in Baton Rouge.
Lukey!!
Fire in the hole!
Timbo taking the kids off on an adventure.
Jofuf on Lukey patrol.
A pretty little flower garden.
Once again, with the mansion in the background.
What are these flowers called, Mom?
Bubble time - probably one of my favorite moments from the whole trip.
Bubbles, Lizzy, Ethan, Buster, and Jakey blowing bubbles.
The Goose with bubble juice down her front.
Benji calling everyone into dinner!
I love Matthew's exclamation point bubble.
Here's a little slice of bubble time.

And last but not least some blackmail for when Ethan runs for president.

I suppose it's a good thing he doesn't know how to do a proper curtsy.

epic fail

My first attempt at deep-frying:They actually weren't too bad, and didn't taste that burnt, especially lathered in barbecue sauce. I suppose I could insert a joke about the BP oil spill here but that would be distasteful. Haha.