THE PARK POST

When we first got to Georgia we went to Deno and Melissa's house near Atlanta and stayed with their kids for a couple days since they were both out of town. Sunday night we finally made it to Columbus and our new house. It turned out very beautiful and luckily we liked the kitchen cabinets that we had not liked online. Seeing things in person always helps. The only disappointing thing was that we realized they were building our same house next door. They changed the brick and stone slightly and the driveway, but it is pretty similar. Oh well, there is nothing we can do about it now. We have a lot more space and after being in the car for so many days and living out of a suitcase it felt like heaven to spread out. I will post some pictures of the house once I get things put away and we are a bit more settled. The kids started back to school on Aug. 6, so their summer was extremely short. Luckily it was packed with lots of fun and activities. Sydney got into the all-day preschool pr...

After our fun-filled day at Carthage, we headed for Clarksville, TN where our friends the Basses (is my grammar right?) live. They moved from Washington a year ago and we were so happy that their house was right on our way to Georgia. Susan and Gabby Connors were also visiting them that same week, so we got a two for one deal!! They sure have a pretty house and neighborhood. It was fun for the kids to see some people they knew that weren't their siblings. Mike and I got introduced to the Cracker Barrel and southern cooking. It was yummy! McKell, Gabby, and Jesikah Alex, Paige and Gabby Looking through Rozanne's blog book gave me motivation to start blogging more consistently. Rozanne, Susan and Nikki

After leaving Nauvoo we drove to Carthage, IL which is about a half hour away, and went to the jail where Joseph and Hyrum were killed. The younger kids were getting pretty tired of driving and looking at museums, but we decided this spot was an important place to visit. We were in a large group of people as we toured the jail and the rooms were tiny, so we were packed in like sardines. Sydney and Jackson thought it would be a good time to start wrestling with each other??? Go figure. Somehow they ended up on the ground in the midst of all the people and were now fighting with each other. It was one of the most embarrassing times we have ever had being parents. Oh, the joys of vacation. I'm sure some day we will look back on this memory and laugh. This was the missionary at the jail explaining what the kitchen looked like. We hadn't reached the wrestling match portion quite yet. Jackson taking some photos outside of the flowers. I think he was happy to be out of the jail:) ...

After visiting Winter Quarters we drove to Nauvoo, IL. We had a great time there despite the rain we encountered. We have always loved Nauvoo and feel a special attachment to the temple there. When we lived in Missouri and Michael was in medical school we were part of the Nauvoo Stake, so when the temple was dedicated in 2002 we were able to volunteer at the open house several times and be in the temple when Pres. Hinkley dedicated it. It is one of the most unique and beautiful buildings around. Paige at Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum's grave site. McKell looking at Emma's grave. All three of them are buried next to Joseph and Emma's original home in Nauvoo. This is the view of the Mississippi River from the Smith family home and grave site. Joseph Smith's parents are buried near him as well. This is a view of the mansion house with our tour guide from Russia. He told us to "explore with your eyes and not your hands." Jackson walked in right after that and sat dow...

We started on our trip to Georgia in late July and stayed in Cheyenne, Wy. the first night. There is a definite feel to Cheyenne that makes you feel like you have stepped back in time. We felt out of place without cowboy boots and belt buckles. We will always remember our restaurant experience at Chili's. We had the worst waiter ever and Paige never got her meal. We finally complained to the manager and they brought her some mac and cheese and paid for our entire meal. Mike was on cloud 9. He loved the idea that they took care of our entire bill. The next night we stayed in Omaha, NE at an awesome hotel that looked right over the Missouri River. They had a fun pool and restaurant right at the hotel so we didn't ever leave. The next morning we went to Winter Quarters. We loved the visitor center, cemetary, and temple there. It gave us all an appreciation for the long trek and sacrifice the Mormon pioneers made when they came to Salt Lake. We had driven for 12 or 13 hour...

A day or so before we left for Georgia we visited Temple Square. The girls in front of the Christus statue in the Visitor's Center. It was a very hot day. We were resting in the shade of the Tabernacle.

One of the last things we did while in Utah was go to Trent and Tammy's house and listen to Lexi and Jenessa's experience they had on their church trip across the country. It was fun for the kids to be together one more time. The cousins decided to run through the sprinklers. They all know how to have a good time. Jenessa and Lexi telling us about their trip. Brox and Brock are quite the buddies. Paige and Jenessa Trent and Nikki

McKell learning how to ski. A stick or a rope can entertain him for awhile. Sean and Natalie Taylor got really sick while we were there. Not a fun thing when you are on vacation. Grandpa and Taylor

After spending a week with the Ogdens, we headed to Bear Lake with the Parks. This is one of our favorite spots to go and also is one of the most beautiful places we know. The kids love playing in the water, going boating, and riding the 4-wheelers. We're glad Sean and Grandpa have all the toys to use and we can just show up!! Paige, Katie, Sydney, McKell, Nikki Katie water skiing Paige on the tube just chillin'. Jackson taking our picture. Paige, McKell and Syd on the boat. Jackson and McKell on the tube. I think some of these people would have slept on the boat if they could have. Love those hip sunglasses Jake, McKell and Syd with their awesome sand castle. After church we took this photo; Sydney was not cooperating. Nikki, Paige, McKell and Katie This picture does not capture how much this boy loves 4 wheelers. I think he would have slept on this if he could. Jake and Sydney