Halloween 2009

Our little strawberry

Sleeping Beauty

Trick-or-treating with Daddy

Addy "Ansel" Eberhardt

Frampton Annual Halloween Party

Dani's Kids: Max and the Wild Things

The happiest cheerleaders and super girl you've every seen.

Zach and Stacy as each other

Gma & Gpa

Mario & Luigi

Jason (and his chest hair) & Shelley

Ladybugs & cute monster Ray

Pumpkin Patch

Trip to Nauvoo

Jonathan and I had an awesome opportunity to travel with his parents and his aunt back to Nauvoo to meet up with his other aunt serving a mission there. John and Sandi graciously threw out the invitation and we happily accepted.

Confession: Jonathan was really excited about this whole trip. He is a true scriptorian and really enjoys church history. I think my exact words to my friend Summer before we left were, "I know the church is true and everything, but church history sites aren't at the top of my list of vacations I want to go on."

Well, I loved every minute of it and I am so happy I got to go. It was a definite highlight and testimony builder. Thanks to Pops and Sans for a wonderful trip! And thanks to my parents who watched our sick Addy. We took London with us and she traveled like a champ!

So, we flew into the St. Louis Airport and then road-tripped it to Nauvoo.

First stop:

St. Louis Arch

Okay people...have you been here?

It's AMAZING! I thought we were just getting out of the car to go and take pictures of an arch. Who knew there is like a whole city underneath it full of museums, theaters, gift shops, and you can even ride up to the top of the arch!

Here we are waiting for our little elevator.

The inside...kind of sci-fi-ish...kind of tight. No wonder they asked if anyone had closterphobia issues. My Aunt Lil would have had a panic attack!

See...tight. Good thing we all like each other.

At the top of the arch. Jonny and London enjoying the view out the little windows.

If you ever get the chance, this is a must-see!

Next Stop: Hannibal, MO

Home of Mark Twain

Mark Twain's boyhood home

Tom & Huck

Last time I ready Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn was in Mrs. Oveson's 8th grade English class...made me want to read them again.

Quincy

It says:

In 1839 the Latter-day Saints crossed the Mississippi River at this approximate site and were befriended by the citizens of Quincy.

This was where they landed after being driven out of Nauvoo. God bless the nice people in Quincy.

Here John is showing us where the Saints came from


and where they landed. :-)

Nauvoo

Jonathan's buddy Paul Petersen's dad is the Nauvoo Temple President. He gave us a "behind the scenes" tour and we got to climb all the way to the top of the clock tower and tickle angel Moroni's toes...pretty amazing!

Love the detail

The plaque below this statue reads:

The Prophet's Last Ride

On the morning of June 24, 1844, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum left their families, homes, and fellow saints for the last time. Traveling on horseback, they paused on this bluff. Joseph looked admiringly at the unfinished temple and the city of Nauvoo and declared:

This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens;

little do they know the trials that await them.

Joseph and Hyrum then continued on to Carthage, Illinois where they face legal charges and eventual death at the hands of a mob.

Aunt Debra

Jonathan's Aunt Debra is a missionary who was a wonderful hostess


Here she is in action

She's the pianist for the musical they put on every night. It was quite entertaining...especially the older gentleman who forgot to zip his fly.

Wagon Ride

One of the first things we did when we got to Nauvoo was go on this carriage ride. They take you around the city and point out all the various sites and then you can decide where you want to go and spend your time.

Aunt Kenni...it was cold!

All bundled up

Trail of Hope

This is the Trail of Hope which was originally called the Trail of Tears. It was the path the pioneers took when they were driven out of Nauvoo which ended at the Mississippi River. We walked this path and all along the way they have signs with various journal entries.

Can you imagine looking back over your shoulder on your way to the river and seeing this beautiful temple that you had to leave?

Banks of the Mississippi

Jonathan adding a little humor to the solemn walk. This was how they transported their wagons across the river.