Nauvoo

One of my favorite places we visited while we were back east was Nauvoo, it truly is a beautiful place. We were only there for a day and half so we didn't get to see everything, but we got to see the highlights.

One of the cool things we got to see was Joseph's Red Brick Store. It is owned by the Community of Christ Church, and they rebuilt it exactly how it was in Josephs time. On their tour they let you go upstairs and sit in the room where the Relief Society was organized. You couldn't take any pictures inside so here is one from outside.

Another fun thing we did was go to the Nauvoo visitors center. It was such a nice place, and the spirit that was there was very special. Ashlyn loved all the statues of the Prophet Joseph,

but her favorite statue was of our Savior.

At the visitor center you can take a wagon ride around Nauvoo. This was the best way to see everything. Everything was so green and beautiful it reminded me a lot of England. Below is a picture of the wagon we rode in.

And this is a picture of the Nauvoo temple up on the bluff. The temple was so beautiful.

This is the four of us on the wagon ride. It was so cold they gave us blankets to huddle up in. We bundled Nathan up so much that he fell asleep.

Below is a picture of the place where the Prophet Joseph Smith, his wife Emma, and his brother Hyrum are buried.

One of Ashlyn's favorite places that we visited was the Scovil bakery. You got to go inside and the senior missionaries told you a little history of the bakery, and then at the end they gave you a gingerbread cookie. (Can you can guess why it was Ashlyn's favorite)

We got to visit the brick yard where they show you how they made the famous red brick, and then you got to take a mini red brick home with you. For some reason we didn't get any pictures of that, but the bricks are really neat. We also went to the blacksmiths and they showed us how they made shoes for the horses and oxen. Below is a picture of a replica of what the saints would have used to travel to Utah in.

Another of my favorite things we did was walk down Parley street. This was the street that the saints walked down to cross the Mississippi river to start on there journey west. At the end of the street is a memorial of all the saints that died along the way to Utah. It was so beautiful and peaceful there you could really feel the spirit of those saints.

I know I keep saying another of my favorite parts was... but visiting the Nauvoo temple was in my top two for sure. Jarom and I, his Mom and Dad, and Todd and Jess got to go though a session there. The spirit was so strong. The temple is beautiful both inside and out. I don't think you can appreciate how big the temple is until you see it up close. It was amazing to think that the saints built that temple without the use of modern tools. Also I have to say a big thank you to Laurel (Jarom's sister) who watched Ashlyn, Nathan, and Luke so we could go to the temple.

This is a view of Nauvoo from outside the temple.

(More pictures of our trip to come)

I love to see the temple.........

Over summer break we took Ashlyn and Nathan to visit the Redlands temple. It was so much fun to walk around the temple with the kids.

What a blessing it is too know that we are a eternal family.

Nathan turned four months which meant we were able to give him rice cereal. Yay! Ashlyn was so excited. We went to target, and she helped me pick out bowls and spoons for him to use.

When we gave Nathan the cereal he just kept pushing it out with his tongue I'm not even sure if he got very much. Ashlyn laughed so hard because he just kept spitting it out. Anyhow I'm sure once he gets to eat food with some flavor he will soon learn to use that spoon.

Mammouth 2009

WARNING PICTURE OVERLOAD!!!

In July we took our annual Viehweg family trip to Mammoth. I was a little apprehensive as we began the five hour drive to Mammoth I wasn't toosure how Ashlyn and especially Nathan (who was only three months old) was going to handle being in the car for that long, but the trip up went great. We left around nap time so right away both kids took a nap. About three hours in we stopped at a rest stop so I could nurse Nathan, and so Ashlyn could use the bathroom. When we got back on the road we put in a DVD we then stopped for gas in Bishop, and then when Ashlyn was starting to get really fed up with being in the car we pulled out the big guns and put on her Dora DVDs (thanks uncle Kiel) which kept her entertained until we got to the condo.

We had a laid back day the first day we were there. We went to our favorite pizza place ate and then went and hung out at the park. Nathan loves to be outside, and just loved hanging out on the blanket with his cousin Luke.

Ashlyn loved hanging out with Grandpa and Grandma.

The next day we all went on a hike. I think it was about 1/2 a mile up to a really cool lake. Ashlyn did awesome and walked all the way. Here she is with Aunt Jessica, Aunt Laurel, and cousin Luke.

What a cute family!

Ashlyn was so excited that Koa (Jaroms parents dog) could come with us to Mammoth, and she laughed so hard when he went swimming in the lake,

The whole gang (minus Jarom's mom who was taking the picture)

This was Nathan after the hike down.

Another day we were there we drove out to Bodie which is a ghost town in the middle of nowhere. It was quite interesting, and was also very hot. Here we are taking a break from the sun.

Ashlyn loved climbing up and down the steps, and had fun taking pictures sitting on them.

After we went to Bodie we stopped at Mono lake. Here is a shot of the lake and the Tofa's. The lake is kinder cool in the winter the water is green and in the summer the water is blue. I don't remember the full story why so I will have to wait for Jarom to come home and remind me. I know it has something to do with brine shrimp, fly's, and birds (I think).


Another day we decided to hike to Rainbow falls, but first we had to stop and take pictures with the Mammoth.

Here we are at Rainbow falls. This hike was just over a mile. Ashlyn did pretty well, but it wasn't the smartest idea to go during nap time! Let's just say on the way back which was some what up hill Jarom and I had to take turns carrying her on our backs, but for how far she walked she did great! This is us at Rainbow falls,

and this is us at Rainbow falls two years ago. I can't believe how little Ashlyn was, and what a big girl she is now. Time really does fly.

if you look closely you can see a rainbow coming off the waterfall.

Nathan loved to hike, but I would too if I was being carried around everywhere!

These last two pictures I took on the last night we were there. They look so peaceful I thought I would throw them in.

Mammoth was so fun we had a blast. Can't wait for next year!

First Beach Trip of the Summer

In July we went with my family to Corona Del Mar for the day. It was so much fun. It was Nathans first trip to the beach and I was super excited to see how he liked the ocean and the sand, but as you can tell by the picture below this is how Nathan spent his day at the beach. There is just something about that sea breeze that allows you to take such a good nap.

Here is Ashlyn playing with Aunt Jaimie. Ashlyn loved the beach, She played in the ocean and the sand the whole day she wouldn't even stop to eat!

Here is Ashlyn with Uncle Josh. They were using the binoculars to spot ships out in the ocean. Ashlyn was pretty funny when she was looking though the binoculars they were as big as her face.

It was a fun day. We can't wait to go back!

Picnic at the Park

For family home evening we decided to enjoy the nice weather and go have a picnic in the park. We packed lots of goodies to eat. Here is Ashlyn eating her giant sandwich.

Nathan was so good at the park. He loves to be outside, and just sat in his car-seat and giggled at us.

Ashlyn loved the swings. and kept wanting to go higher and higher.

Ashlyn wanted both Jarom and I to sit with her on the gator.

What a great time!

Fourth of July

Fourth of July this year was really fun. In the afternoon we headed over to my family's house had a BBQ and hung out. We ate way too much, but had a lot of fun. Then in the evening we headed out to Maverick stadium (or Stater Bros Stadium as it is now called) for the Maverick's game followed by fireworks. This was the first baseball game we had taken Ashlyn too, and she was so excited. We ended up having to buy grass seats as the game was sold out, but I think that worked well. We laid out our blanket ate our snow cones, and enjoyed the game. Nathan was so good he just laid on the blanket and slept most of the game, and Ashlyn did great too she can't wait to go back again.

I forgot our camera so here are a couple of pictures that I took with my cell phone.

After the game (which the Mavericks won in the bottom of the ninth) they had a fireworks display which was really neat. Ashlyn however was not a big fan of the fireworks. She said they were way to loud so she kept her fingers in her ears until it was over. Nathan on the other hand loved the fireworks. I was worried that they would be way too loud for him, but I think he enjoyed the bright colours. I think the game was a big success Ashlyn is still talking about it. It was a lot of fun, and turned out to be a great day.