We interrupt this....

We interrupt the Nauvoo posts to bring you a very important announcement....The kids are back in school! I thought I didn't want them to go, summer was too short, and I loved every minute of it. But today was wonderful. Kaylee started preschool three days a week and Ryan started school yesterday. When he got home he said it was Awesome! I was so glad to hear it. Today his friend Ty met him at the door to ride bikes to school. He was really excited. He loves to ride his bike more than anything.Ryan starting 2nd grade. Mrs. Reed is his teacher.

Ryan & Ty Leavitt

Ryan heading out on his bike

Kaylee starting pre-K. She goes to playhouse preschool and Lynn Desfosses is her teacher. She goes 3 days a week.

We are so excited that Kaylee's hair is growing out. Finally!

This is Taylor being sad that Kaylee is leaving. Well actually Jeff just took her toothbrush away and said it was time to leave so she was upset.

I just couldn't stop taking pictures of her little fit. Oh the drama.

Another important update for us is that Jeff had his surgery on his bulged disc yesterday. It was outpatient surgery and so far he is recovering nicely. He has been up and walking yesterday and today. He is just very tired and sore. Good thing for drugs eh? He is on some pretty big restrictions for the next 6 weeks. He is hoping to return to work full time in 2 weeks. We are just waiting to see how his body heals. The doctor is pretty sure that there will be future surgeries since his disc was in pretty bad shape. We appreciate everyone that has sent us well wishes and offered to help. It is times like these when we realize how many wonderful friends and family that we have. Thanks also to Grandma & Grandpa for keeping the kids and getting Ryan off for his first day of school.

Nauvoo post 2

Once again pictures are in order from bottom to top, but it really doesn't matter. The next day we went to church with Glenn & Annette. It was a sacrament only ward since they have so many visitors. When we were done we walked up to the temple and took some pictures while we were in nice clothes. It was not the best time for pics because the sun was in our eyes, but we had fun and the flowers all around were so beautiful.

On Monday we went on a carriage ride with Glenn & Annette. We were so glad that they could sneak away from their work to go with us. That afternoon we went to Carthage jail to see where the prophet had been killed. I had been to the jail 2 times before so I was not that annoyed that Taylor was needing to be taken out. The church sites are really not the best for energetic 2 year olds. Ryan and Kaylee did great though and I think they learned a lot.

Ryan took this picture of us, not bad huh?
The kids in the kitchen under the jail. I cannot fathom being the jailers wife and having to have criminals eating at my table with my family. I am sure they were glad when they had Joseph, Hyrum, and other apostles at the dinner table. Can you imagine what a good influence they were on the family?

On the carriage ride. yes we are wrapped in blankets. It was a chilly morning. Nauvoo had record low temps for July. What a blessing for those involved with the pageant.

Our trusty horses pulling the carriage.


This begins the photo shoot by the temple.

Nauvoo trip Day 1

Because of the mass amount of pictures and things that we did I am going to have to update by the day. We had such an amazing family trip to Nauvoo this summer. We loved first and foremost seeing Grandma & Granpa McMinn on their mission, secondly we loved being in Nauvoo and feeling the spirit in that special place, thirdly we loved the area with its beauty and history. We always enjoy traveling with our kids and doing fun things. We caught the very last show of the pageant. It was a wonderful production put on by many wonderful volunteer and core casts. We also got to meet many of them before the performance. Grandma & grandpa took us to the High School to eat dinner with many of them. We also got to go to the preshow cast meeting. It was wonderful.
Closing scenes.

This was at the puppet show that is part of the preshow activities. They had so much to do we had no idea that there were so many activities and fun things for the kids.

Ryan picking out his sock puppet. The family casts make these puppets before the show starts and every child gets to pick one to keep and take home.

Taylor in front of the little cut out city of Nauvoo.



Pulling the handcart. I started by myself up the hill, but that sucker was heavy. I recruited Jeff and my mom to help push. I gained a whole new respect for the pioneers that pulled the handcarts across the country. Holy Cow!

Kaylee with Grandma's bonnett.

Taylor had to have a turn too!



We got to see Grandma Byington also in Nauvoo. She went for three weeks to help with the costumes. It was a huge job and she loved every minute of it. On Saturday nights during the pageant the sewing ladies took all of the costumes to the laundry mat to be cleaned. They were up well into the morning. On final night many of the ladies were up until 5 or 6 in the morning taking care of the costumes. Thank goodness for volunteers.

Grandma & Grandpa McMinn dressed in period clothes for the final performance. They looked so cute!

3 little cuties. We had some time to kill in St. Louis while dad went and picked up the car.

When I first became a mom I would have never dreamed that I would lay my daughter down to sleep on an airport floor. Oh well she was out and I needed to use the bathroom. Looks quite comfy don't you think?

Tay Tay on the airplane. The kids traveled so good.

Of Course these pictures are not in order. You will just have to pretend that they are.

Happy 12th Anniversary

Today Jeff and I celebrate 12 years together. 12 years ago we were married for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls, ID temple. It seems like time has flown by at times, yet it seems like we have been together forever. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. He is always so willing to help me with whatever I need. I am especially grateful for how awesome he is as a dad. When we are choosing our future spouses we can only imagine what they will be like as a parent. Jeff has surpassed all of my expectations. How blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband and father for our children. I Love you Honey!

I also want to thank many of our friends and family for the love and support that they have shown us through the years. We love you all.

Pictures taken by Dan & Denna Burrup.

Also a special thanks to Ryan, Kaylee, and Taylor for putting up with us as their parents. What 3 great blessings.