sEcOnD hAlF oF dAy 4

Well after we left Carthage we got a bit to eat and hit some more of the sites. We went to the Blacksmith, and like Kennady said we each really got a ring! HOORAY! I learned a lot...it was hard work to get everybody ready to cross the plains, not just like they woke up and decided to go. Oh no no they prepared for months, maybe even a year. They had to make wagons for each family and the blacksmith showed us the process of just making one wheel and it took some time. He even made a little horse shoe that he gave to Reddek and Avery. They LOVED them. Then to the Brick yard. Yes we got a free brick! It was intresting to hear how they make the brick.

Then we went to some more houses. Brigham Youngs house... While Brigham Young was on a mission his family lived in this little log cabin so when he got back he built them this nice house. He wanted the wood work to look like oak so he painted each peice of trim to look like oak. The original wood work was stil in there and it look amazing...and like a lot of work.
Lucy Mac Smith's house which was very special. She went through a lot as the mother of the Prophet Joseph. All the moms out there can imagine how hard it would have been to see your son go through all that he did. She was a great lady and you could feel a sweet spirit in her home.

And John Taylor's home...It was so pretty and they only got to live in it for a few months (i think 5) before they left to cross the plains. They told us a story of him just to show what kind of man he was. After they had left to head west his son was really sad because he left his wooden rocking horse. John Taylor left to come back and get his son's rocking horse. That just shows how much love he had for his family and others around him. What a selfless person! I wish I was more like that.
Then we went to this cute little bakery.
They gave us each a cookie and told us the story of the Bakers that lived here. It was tiny. It was very cool that the baker that lived here went west with all the saints and then later founded Sanpete County...which is where Jason and I are from. Of course I don't remember his name, but it was intresting anyway.

By then it was snowing really bad, but we were hoping the Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo was still on so we headed to the cultural hall to see. Lucky for us they hadn't cancelled due to bad weather. This was one of my favorite parts of Nauvoo...it helped me think of it when they were here and also gave me a bigger love for the missionaries serving in Nauvoo. It was a fun performance and they did a great job. It wasn't suppose to be sad it was more fun and funny...but of course i was brought to tears. I think it is because the missionaries have such a spirit about them and it made me realize how hard it would have been to be asked to leave your home to travel with the saints. There was one lady that was not agreeing with her husband about going and it made me check my testimony and faith. If our prophet asked us today to pick up and move would I? I don't know, they had to have A LOT of FAITH.

1/2 of DAY 4

Day 4 we went to Carthage it was about 20 minutes away from where we stayed so not too long and it was fun to see everything still frozen from the ice storm. The front yards looked like ice skating rinks and all the trees and weeds were covered in ice.

We arrived to Carthage and were nervous the jail was going to be closed due to the ice, but we were in luck it was open...not many people there but it was open! HOORAY! There was a cute older missionary couple there that took us on the tour. We started by watching a short movie about Joseph Smith's life. It was neat to watch and know that we were right where he last was. We then headed outside in the FREEZING COLD to the
The first room was where the Jail keepers cooked for the prisoners. There was a husband and wife that were the jail keepers when Joseph Smith and the others were brought to the jail.
This room is where some prisoners for little crimes (not being able to pay a fine) would spend their time. It was a normal room just with bars on the windows and doors. Look how thick the walls are!!!My Cute Husband!
Then we went upstairs! The handrail was original it was really low the ladies would use it to hold thier dresses up while walking up the stairs...but it was actually just the right size for me!
Then to the jail cell! This is where the Prophet and the others spent most of their time. (sorry for the weird face, jason would just say katie and take a picture) the floors and cell parts were original. This room was really sad, just dark and locked in the little cell for who knows how long.
Then to the room where Hyrum and Joseph were killed. This was the jail keepers' bedroom, but they had the Prophet and the others stay in it to help make thier stay a little nicer. It was very neat to be able to be in that room, there was a calm feeling there. The kids even calmed down to listen to the Missionary. The original door was still there that had the bullet hole where the bullet came through and killed Hyrum. The missionary told us what went on that day and then we listened to a recording of how it might have sounded. It was such a special experience. It stregthened my testimony being there and feeling the spirit. I have a much greater appreciation for Joseph Smith and his family and what they had to go through to restore the gospel. It was real and lots were hurt and killed from it. I am so thankful that he was willing to give up everything for the gospel so we can have it today.
This was a special spot it is where Joseph fell from the window after he had been shot. We look kind of sad, but it was just a spiritual experience and we were thinking about the loss of the Prophet and his brother Hyrum. It was the original floor so we were standing where the Prophet had stood for the last time. I loved that room and am thankful for the Missionaries that help invite the spirit with their testimonies and reverence there.
This is a picture looking out of where Joseph fell. And some pictures of the outside of the jail.
And us leaving the special place.

day 3 in Nauvoo

Well day three was probably my favorite day! We drove into Nauvoo and it was so pretty because we had an ice storm the night before. It really froze EVERYTHING! We went to do some more sites. Kennady had been telling us that we could get a ring from the Blacksmith, a brick from the Brick yard and a cookie from the Bakery...so we all wanted to hit those pretty bad! Duh who wants to pass up FREE souvenirs? When we got there all the sites were closed due to the ice storm. DANG! So we drove to Parley's street...and all got out to walk down it. I can't explain the spirit I felt as we did this. I am sure we looked pretty crazy to all that saw us! The road was completely iced over and it was FREEZING.

I read some of the journal entrees as we walked down and the spirit just hit me...this is what they really went through, but they couldn't run back to the warm van when it got way too cold for them. They probably didn't even have as heavy as coats as we did. I think we were pretty lucky the sites were closed, because I don't think this was on the agenda! As we were getting toward the end the babies were crying and I looked back at the city and it really was a beautiful site.

I am so grateful for the Pioneers and the testimonies they had to leave their warm homes to travel across the plains. I can't find my sheet with all the quotes that are on the markers on Parley's street, but I do remember one that really hit me. A midwife said she delivered 7 babies that night! WHAT? I felt so humbled, they all really trusted in the lord with all their hearts. I was scared to have my baby in the hospital with drs and nurses surrounding me. Could you imagine leaving your home pregnant and you didn't know when you were going to have a home again? I know these people were amazing. I wish I had the other quotes, but that one I remember and it just made me realize they were normal people like us with kids and pregnant and they still followed the prophet. That was an awesome experience and I know I will always remember it! I was just trying to find the quotes on the trail of hope and I read something intresting. "In the concluding dedicatory session of the Nauvoo Temple, President Hinckley made a special request of all those who were then in Nauvoo. He asked everyone to take a few minutes to "walk down Parley Street to the waterfront," to the landing on the Mississippi River from which the Saints departed Nauvoo and crossed into Iowa on their westward trek. He asked members to leave behind the comfort of their air-conditioned cars, to walk along this sacred path and take time to read the plaques along the Trail of Hope." So we were doing as were suppose to I just didn't know a prophet had told us to!

Next we went to the LDS visiting center. It was decorated for Christmas and was so pretty. We watched a movie about Nauvoo then just looked at all the stuff they had there. Jason found a Brother Missionary to talk to and get all his questions answered. I love the Older Missionaries! They just have something about them that makes me feel so good I have a great love for them. I hope Jason and I can serve a mission when we are older and I think Nauvoo would be the perfect place!

After the visiting center we ate lunch at this nice sandwich shop and then decided to do temple sessions. We were so lucky to be there with Joe and Andria this made it perfect for us both to do a session. They dropped us off and we were in our jeans...we were trying to find a bathroom near by to change and we didn't find one. So it was very weird to walk into the temple with jeans on but they were so nice to us they made us feel so special. The temple was so pretty. There weren't many in our session so we had a few firsts in the Nauvoo temple. We were the witness couple and had time to do some sealings. They kept the structure on the outside the same as when it was originally built, which made it cool. They also have Lucy Mac Smith's slippers and apron in the temple. They were really neat to see.

Joe came and got us...he got pretty good at driving on pure ice! We got to hang out with the kids for a while when Joe and Andria went to the temple. We had fun played hid-n-seek in a HUGE house, ate cookies and watched a movie. I love all my little nieces, and Reddek was a good sport with all the girls. He LOVES Avery! I know this was a pretty uneventful day, but I felt the spirit so strong that it made it my favorite :)

nAuVoO day 2

Well the second day we decided to drive into Nauvoo and see the sites. The kids were so excited to see Nauvoo! I think Avery was the first to spot the temple...and what a beautiful site!!!
Our first stop was to the Church of Christ. They own Joseph Smith's house and his store. We were lead by a nice old man. We went to the first log cabin the Prophet Joseph Smith had. It was so neat to be in the same spot that he had lived, walked and talked just like us. We thought it was so small and they had added on the other part of it later ... so imagine how small it was when they first lived there.
This is the Nauvoo house which was used as a hotel a lot. This is also where Emma passed away, in the corner bedroom. We didn't get to go inside this one I think they have it set up to use as a bbq place in the summer. But it was such a good feeling to walk on the sidewalks and just look around at the neighborhood that was there. I loved picturing it back when they were there no cars just horses and kids running and playing it is such a beautiful place, with a strong spirit.
Then as we walked we saw the headstones of Lucy Mac Smith and Joseph Smith Sr. Then we stopped at Emma, Joseph and Hyrum Smith's headstones. This was a neat feeling to visit their actual grave. The tour guide said that the mobs wanted to destroy the bodies so Joseph and Hyrum's bodies were hid just down the hill from this spot for quite a while until they thought it was safe to dig them up and mark their grave.
Then off to the Mansion House! Isn't it so pretty? This was Joseph and Emma's home. They used it as a hotel too, and served meals. I LOVED seeing their home. This is where they were living when Joseph went to Carthage.
We ended at Joseph's store. It was very cute! They had a lot of old fashioned candy and souvenirs to buy. Reddek had kind of been a pain this whole day but we bought him a sucker and he was good the rest of the day! I think it is hard for young ones to walk around old houses that they can't touch anything nor do they have much room to walk around in. I felt so stupid because we had been invited then Reddek was a being a pain, but he ended up doing lots better.


We drove down the road from the Church of Christ and saw Parley's street it was so pretty to see. We stopped at the first stop that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had, The Seventies Hall. It was so pretty and you could feel the spirit so strong there knowing the important things that went on in there and the important people that held meetings there. I loved seeing the older missionaries and hearing their testimonies. Then we were all starving so we went to this little diner Dottie's. It is a little inside joke and i laugh everytime I think about it. It was a small town and this diner was not our style. I thought Jason and Joe were going to walk out. But we stayed and I enjoyed my food. Jason on the other hand doesn't like other people preparing his food let alone in this run down little diner. So I am sure he was still hungry when we left. But it is all part of the experience.

We then hit another site...the Family Living Center. This place was so cool! They showed us how the pioneers survived. They made their barrels...
their ropes.
their candles, rugs, bread, and so much more. The kids loved this much more! They got to help hands on and see how to make stuff. A sister missionary told us about how they made their candles and just little things they had to do. The candles were made out of animal fat so they had to make some tin containers so the mice wouldn't eat them, and then to let the candles breath they had to have holes in the container. It made me realize how much they had to do to prepare to go across the plains. I gained a stronger testimony and more appreciation for the pioneers. My favorite part was the sisters had certain candle that they hung in their window when they had made treats and wanted to have people come over and socialize. I wish we still did things like that :)
By then we were all pretty tired and so we went back the Mansion house. This vacation was so nice and relaxing. I think having a house to go back to instead of a hotel room made the difference. We ate dinner watched shows talked laughed and watched the kids run around. I loved having some time off work to just be with family. After we put the kids down the men usually ended up reading Church History books while Andria and I talked. I loved it!!! And this was only the second day on this fabulous trip...

Great Weekend

Well Nauvoo is going to be a while…But anyway!
We had a great weekend. My mom and sister came up Friday we all took the kids to lunch hung out then left my poor dad with all the kidos so we could go get massages. My cute little bro Kalon bought my mom a massage for Christmas so my mom thought it would be a good idea to buy my sister and I one! It WAS AMAZING!!! I just love getting massages. Do you think anyone could really ever get sick of getting massaged? We had an hour and it flew right by. That is a long time, but when you are getting your WHOLE body done it goes by way too quick. Then my wonderful parents took us all out to dinner. It was fun to see everyone and hang out. I love when my parents come to stay, I don't have to do much. Reddek absolutely adores my mom so she takes him and I can relax. Saturday Morning Reddek woke up I went and got him he said "mom where’s mama?" I said down stairs probably sleeping. He responded "I go down stairs get her". So I went back to bed for a while! Thanks for the great weekend. No fun pictures so sorry, just a boring post.

Nauvoo day 1

Well I was waiting for Andria to post her pictures because she has lots more and better ones, but I will start posting and add pictures as hers come up!
Day one= travel!!!
Well it was Reddek's first time on an airplane...he did great! He didn't love having to sit on our laps and sit still for about 5 hours, but we managed. Our flight left at 7:10 AM yes I said AM. We all had to leave our house about 5:00 am to make sure we got the car parked and all. Let me give you a history of Jason and my travel experience. We have always been the kids on these trips. I didn't have to worry about where my tickets were my mom had them. I never paid attention where we went in the airport I was always following someone. I know this is pathetic, but it is how it is. Jason wasn't worried, but I for some reason was. Well duh it isn't that hard so we made it just fine I just had anxiety about it. We went for the cheap tickets so we had to first fly to Phoenix then to St. Louis. Weird I know. So we left like 3 hours earlier than our friends the other McCauls, but only got there like 45 mins before them.

Reddek of course didn't fall asleep on the plane as we had hoped. He waited until we were landing on our second flight. So he got a little nap while waiting for the rest of us. Yes we were lucky enough to get invited to go with Joe and Andria and their girls on this trip.
Well it is a three hour drive from the airport to Nauvoo...weird; nobody really knew where Nauvoo was. I never realized that it is a tiny town out in middle of no where so most people don't know about it unless they are a member of our church or have studied our church history. On the drive to the Mansion House (in Nauvoo) Reddek of course threw up! I don't know if he gets car sick or what but needless to say we had a half hour stop cleaning him and the car seat up. Yes the van stunk the rest of the trip! (Sorry everyone)

Well we arrived at about 8:00 pm and got all settled in while the hubbys went and got food.

~cHrIsTmAs~

Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with lots of family and relaxing. We headed down to Sanpete Christmas Eve...the truck was SO full ! We arrived down there about 5:00 just in time for yummy DINNER! My whole family was there...Rachel and her family, Logan, and Kalon even made it down for Christmas! We were so happy to spend time with them. We don't get to see Kalon much so it is always a treat when he is around. We all ate, ate, and ate some more then talked played games and of course opened pjs.
This is Logan and he is such a dork...don't you love his Christmas eve PJs? He is probably going to kill me if he sees this picture posted.
Cute grandkids on Christmas Eve in their new PJs.

After the PJs we read the Christmas story, then we have a tradition to watch the home video of the year before...it was funny, Reddek hasn't changed much he can talk better and is bigger but he LOOKs the SAME! Jade has changed alot. After that the kids got in Grandma's tub, sat out cookies for Santa with a note and went to bed! Then all of us stayed up played this great game called MADGAB, and scatagories. It was so fun if you haven't played madgab you need to try it. We were laughing so hard Reddek woke up and yelled MOM. I go in and said "whats wrong?". His response, "mom SHHH I go ni night." It was funny, but we couldn't keep it down too long the game is so funny! Then of course we all went to sleep so Santa could come.

Then Christmas Morning we all woke about 6:30...usually my sister has us all up about 5:00 and we have to tell her to wait a while. She slept in and Kalon was the one to wake us all up!


Red FINALLY got his Choo choo Train.
Jason and Red by our pile...we got spoiled which we do every year! We got eachother an IPOD classic, clothes and shoes. Then Jason decided he had to go out one day before Christmas and get me suprises. Last year I asked everyone for a scripture holder (they all forgot and I never got it) well this year Jason got me one along with a good book lots of BATH STUFF and my favorite perfume....Ralph Lauren. Thanks!!! I suck I don't get him suprises becAuse we talk about it and decide what we are getting together go shopping pick stuff out and I think I am done shopping for him. Hopefully next year I can suprise him! My parents got us a dvd player for the car clothes candy and a bunch of other stuff. They got Reddek A TON! one of his favorites is the desk above...he loves to draw and color. They also got him a cute cars bath set. It has a comb, mirror, gel, shampoo and foam soap and a fake razor! So now every time he baths he has to shave like dad! It is so cute.
Rachel, Rob and Jade with their pile
My two little brothers and their small stack of presents...they want expensive stuff so they don't get as many! Logan was pretty upset about it.lol
My parents and their pile of presents...it is a tradition that we (all the kids) do their stockings and pajamas and they do ours.

After presents we usually let the parents have an hour rest...then my Grandma Lud usually comes over for Breakfast.
My little family Christmas Day!
Kalon, Me, Reddek, Logan, my dad

This year my mom's dad(grandpa Al) and my dad's mom (grandma lud) live at the same assisted living center so it was nice to go over there and see both of them open their presents. They are so funny they get along very good!
My grandpa Al and Kalon.
We gave grandpa Al candy and nuts because that is what he likes. Well my Grandma Lud can't have candy so we got her dresses and lotion and stuff and she leaned over to grandpa Al and said, "I need to shack up with you so I can have some of that candy!" Then Grandpa Al said, "only if I get to wear one of those dresses!" They are so sweet and we love seeing them!
My grandma Lud

This Christmas was so nice and relaxing. While I was in Sanpete my good friend Tara Mogle set up a lunch for a bunch of us from high school to go eat at fat jacks(Roy's Pizza) and catch up! It was nice to see everyone and thier kids. We ended up talking about our kids most of the time. I hope we continue to do that whenever some of us are down there. Thanks Tara! I wish I would have taken my camera so I would have pictures of everyone! Tara Mogle (Christensen), Rachel Hansen(Ludvigson), Talisha Johnson(Edwards), Ashley Petersen(Johnson), and Ashley Bougoure-Latchford(Nilson). It was fun thanks girls!!!
We were gone to Nauvoo for a week before Christmas so stay tuned the trip is coming up next!