Before Sophie left us in Chicago we had to take her to the famous Brookfield Zoo!! A huge zoo with amazing animals pretty much sums it up. The day was beautiful, the dolphin show awesome and all of us in heaven. I just love zoos!!
Brookfield Zoo
Before Sophie left us in Chicago we had to take her to the famous Brookfield Zoo!! A huge zoo with amazing animals pretty much sums it up. The day was beautiful, the dolphin show awesome and all of us in heaven. I just love zoos!!
Summer RoAd TrIp- Nauvoo
To continue on posting about our summer RoAd TrIp, I need to mention all the things we did in Nauvoo, Illinois! Driving back towards home was so much fun this time around because we had more to our group. The Abercrombie Clan was taking on the road with us. Oh, the games that we played on the walkie talkies together. The laughing so hard that you cry and need to use the bathroom scenario, the hilarious knock, knock jokes from all the kids even when the punch line was missed, comments on the scenery like, "Holy windmills Batman", or the try to guess the movie line trivia. It got really good when we tried to sing the theme songs to the movies as well.The Abercrombies were traveling to Nauvoo because Joe's (Br-in-law) Mom owns a house there on Palmyra street and her and her husband Wilson were so nice to let us all stay and visit.
Joe had the days mapped out for us and a perfect plan. Visiting different stops all through out the day. We just wished the weather would have been on board for it as well. Not a cloud in sight for rain, or any bad winds, just lots and lots of heat!! HOT, HOT, HOT. It made us have a new appreciation for the pioneers who houses were not air conditioned like some of the renovated ones are now that we visited. Not only was it hot but very humid. So much so in fact that our oxen and horse carriage rides were cancelled due to the heat index. The kids, my 3 and the Abercrombie 5, only had a little time at the Pioneer Pastimes before they closed up shop. Which was for the best though because this is where the kids could dress up in pioneer clothes and play old time pioneer games, but with the heat the supervisors didn't want and kids getting heat stroke while playing in lots of clothes and running after big wagon rings.
Some of the great places we were able to go and enjoy were:
Brickyard * Brigham Young Home * Joseph and Hyrum Smith Memorial * Webb Brother's Blacksmith Shop * Lucy Mack Smith home * Joseph Smith home * Red Brick Store * Visitor's Center and of course the beautiful Nauvoo Temple
My boys loved seeing all the details of the Nauvoo Temple up close. Justin kept repeating, "Moon, stars, sun". It was great just being on the temple grounds and discussing with my children the importance of such buildings and what they mean to me personally. The hardship and trials that the early pioneers went through to make such magnificent temples is truly amazing to me. There is so much history in Nauvoo. It makes you want to research everything and get to know the stories and background of each building, landmark, and people who lived there. My beliefs are confirmed and my testimony stronger that there is purpose in all things and everything has its time and place here and under heaven. I am so glad I have the gospel and am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. It keeps me grounded, it keeps me strong.Nauvoo Temple
Here is our clan enjoying the Frontier County Fair that they put on every night before the Nauvoo Pageant begins. Cast members from the pageant that are dress in full pioneer attire, which made me even hotter just by looking at them, helped visitors: play 1840's games, dance, sack race, rag braiding, hand cart pull, log sawing and much more. So fun to watch the kids giggle and play.
The Nauvoo Pageant was amazing! They have over 150 volunteer cast members who tell the story of Nauvoo, how it came to be, and what it meant to those who lived there in the 1840's. The pageant also pays tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith, commemorates the building of the original Nauvoo Temple, and celebrates universal themes of faith, family, and community. As the pageant's temple was being built, piece by piece, I loved the feeling that I had after it was completed and how the saints felt at that time. I was completely moved when towards the end of the pageant when the cast reenacted the time when the saints were driven out of the Nauvoo area and the temple prop was removed and the actual Nauvoo Temple was lite up on the hill for everyone, cast and audience, to gaze at. It was as if we were all saying goodbye to it as well in that moment in time.
Carthage Jail was the site of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum on June 27, 1844. Joseph and Hyrum, with two companions, were imprisoned here. A mob broke into the jail, shooting through the door, charging in and killed Hyrum and Joseph who was shot while falling out of the two story window. There is still a bullet lodged in the door today. Visiting the jail cell and the quarters in which the Prophet spent his lasts days is a very humbling experience. John Taylor, who was one of the two companions with the Prophet in jail said these words:
Here is our clan enjoying the Frontier County Fair that they put on every night before the Nauvoo Pageant begins. Cast members from the pageant that are dress in full pioneer attire, which made me even hotter just by looking at them, helped visitors: play 1840's games, dance, sack race, rag braiding, hand cart pull, log sawing and much more. So fun to watch the kids giggle and play.
The Nauvoo Pageant was amazing! They have over 150 volunteer cast members who tell the story of Nauvoo, how it came to be, and what it meant to those who lived there in the 1840's. The pageant also pays tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith, commemorates the building of the original Nauvoo Temple, and celebrates universal themes of faith, family, and community. As the pageant's temple was being built, piece by piece, I loved the feeling that I had after it was completed and how the saints felt at that time. I was completely moved when towards the end of the pageant when the cast reenacted the time when the saints were driven out of the Nauvoo area and the temple prop was removed and the actual Nauvoo Temple was lite up on the hill for everyone, cast and audience, to gaze at. It was as if we were all saying goodbye to it as well in that moment in time.Carthage Jail
Carthage Jail was the site of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum on June 27, 1844. Joseph and Hyrum, with two companions, were imprisoned here. A mob broke into the jail, shooting through the door, charging in and killed Hyrum and Joseph who was shot while falling out of the two story window. There is still a bullet lodged in the door today. Visiting the jail cell and the quarters in which the Prophet spent his lasts days is a very humbling experience. John Taylor, who was one of the two companions with the Prophet in jail said these words:D&C 135:3
"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents: has sent the fullness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained to the four quarters of the earth, has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men: gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!
There was so many activities and stops made that my camera did not capture. My boys absolutely love their cousins and have non stop fun with them. We walked creeks looking for arrowheads and treasures. Visited the Dickson Mounds Museum. Talked, laughed, and cried when we had to part. Can't wait for another adventure like this one!!
2011 Summer Fun- Ranch
We had a family reunion at my Grandpa Delwyn's Ranch in Soda Springs, Idaho this past July. We started off the fun by going for a swim day at Lava Hot Springs. I have missed Lava so much. It's a great family place to go swim. Everyone had fun swimming, going down all the different slides and my brother-in-law Joe was crazy and would jump off the high platform which he had to sign a waiver to even go on!
We all got our gun on you could say!! I'm not even going to attempt to name all the different kinds of guns that were shot. Clay shot the target three times in a row, the kid's got aim.
There are a lot of toys to play on at the OK Ranch. (OK is my Grandpa Delwyn's brand he uses on his cattle and for his ranch) Let just say Clay was in Heaven!
Oh, how I enjoyed all the time with the horses. The trail rides were so refreshing and just plain peaceful riding on top of the different horses.
My cowboy Justin Ron. He was simply having a ball everyday!
Red bandanna attire???? Check!
Hayden was so funny. Really when is he not. He was given this hat by my Grandma Barbara and he would not take the thing off!! When I was getting he set in his tent to sleep, he wanted to wear the cowboy hat under the sleeping bag covers and it took my awhile to convince him it will be waiting for him in the corner of the tent.
My boys can't get enough of their Grandpa Ron!!
My sister Emily is a pro at braiding hair! It has been forever since I had my hair braided so tight. And the above is the result of taking the braid out. Poofy!
Justin was hilarious on the horse with me. I thought he wouldn't want to go faster than walking, but when I guided the horse into a trot, I heard tons of giggles so I went straight into a gallop. This horse's name is Ernie and he has a very smooth ride. He has what is called a 5th gait, which is collection of smooth footfall patterns that may be natural to some horses but others require training to acquire the technique. Ernie seems to just be gliding when you are riding him, perfect rhythm. When Justin could get his breath from laughing so hard he would say, "So fun, horsey"
Summer Fun 2011 - Idaho
Let the RoAd TrIp begin!! 24 hour drive from Chicago to Idaho!!
The boys were the best travelers ever!! I had absouletly no, "I'm going to pull over right now!" moments at all. The funnest thing about the drive was that I was so sure the boys were going to be watching alot of movies and I had it all ready for them to take turns picking out the movie, and sharing, but they watched only 1 and 1/2 movies the whole first day! Which was a 13 and 1/2 hour day of driving!!! Why did they only watch 1 movie and asked to shut the other off half way thru do you ask? They wanted to listen to HARRY POTTER that's why!!! It was hilarious. Sophie and I were really into the CD's and Clay would stop and ask questions every now and then. The guy who does all the voices is AMAZING! Time fly by for us. Even Justin seemed to listen and was completly content in his seat the whole way. I would be so tired strapped down all day with my feet dangeling from a car seat but he was so good for me!
Another sweet ride my boys absoletly loved was my dad's 1954 Chevy!! Such a good looking truck he rebuilt. Perfect vehicle to take for a Sunday drive after church.
I love coming to my sister Emily's house in the summer. She can let the irrigating water out on her lawn and the kids go wild! Each time Hayden has been there for this he says he "so wants to surf the lawn".
Cutest pose ever Emily!!
For my Nephew Ryder, (Jessa and Trent's son) 2nd birthday, mom and dad took everyone to Tauphaus Park Zoo. This is a great zoo located right in Idaho Falls. Its a smaller zoo, but they had great animals like lions, tigers, and bears.....Oh My! The kids loved it and Jessa brought fun masks for everyone to have. Justin realized his mask matched the real zebra's when he saw them, priceless moment right there.
Clay thought he was the coolest kid ever driving the go cart. It would get all muddy zooming in and out of the mud, but especially on the right side because there was no mudflap on that side. More fun for the passenger then huh ;)
I will admit that thing is the bomb to drive!! Can't beat the classic fun of a Go Cart!
Justin, Bailee, Sophie, and Hayden taking out the 4 wheeler.
Back home there are a lot of animals my boys chase after and are mesmerized with. Horses, cows, dogs, cats, Brooklyn's bunny, Landon's snake, Emily's chickens ect. ect.
The boys were the best travelers ever!! I had absouletly no, "I'm going to pull over right now!" moments at all. The funnest thing about the drive was that I was so sure the boys were going to be watching alot of movies and I had it all ready for them to take turns picking out the movie, and sharing, but they watched only 1 and 1/2 movies the whole first day! Which was a 13 and 1/2 hour day of driving!!! Why did they only watch 1 movie and asked to shut the other off half way thru do you ask? They wanted to listen to HARRY POTTER that's why!!! It was hilarious. Sophie and I were really into the CD's and Clay would stop and ask questions every now and then. The guy who does all the voices is AMAZING! Time fly by for us. Even Justin seemed to listen and was completly content in his seat the whole way. I would be so tired strapped down all day with my feet dangeling from a car seat but he was so good for me!
Another sweet ride my boys absoletly loved was my dad's 1954 Chevy!! Such a good looking truck he rebuilt. Perfect vehicle to take for a Sunday drive after church.
I love coming to my sister Emily's house in the summer. She can let the irrigating water out on her lawn and the kids go wild! Each time Hayden has been there for this he says he "so wants to surf the lawn".
Cutest pose ever Emily!!
For my Nephew Ryder, (Jessa and Trent's son) 2nd birthday, mom and dad took everyone to Tauphaus Park Zoo. This is a great zoo located right in Idaho Falls. Its a smaller zoo, but they had great animals like lions, tigers, and bears.....Oh My! The kids loved it and Jessa brought fun masks for everyone to have. Justin realized his mask matched the real zebra's when he saw them, priceless moment right there.
Thompson Grandkids:
Brooklyn, Landon, Eli, Clayton, Hayden, Calvin, Bailee, Justin, Quincy, Ryder, and Boston.
Clay thought he was the coolest kid ever driving the go cart. It would get all muddy zooming in and out of the mud, but especially on the right side because there was no mudflap on that side. More fun for the passenger then huh ;)
I will admit that thing is the bomb to drive!! Can't beat the classic fun of a Go Cart!
Justin, Bailee, Sophie, and Hayden taking out the 4 wheeler.
Back home there are a lot of animals my boys chase after and are mesmerized with. Horses, cows, dogs, cats, Brooklyn's bunny, Landon's snake, Emily's chickens ect. ect.Justin fell in love with all the dogs. Emily's three dogs. Grandpa Ron's two and Jessa's two little doggies. Cutest thing ever!!
Summer Fun 2011-Chicago
We have had so SOOO much summer fun this past July. It all started off with my sister Sophie coming to Chicago. The main reason for Sophie flying out was to be my right hand lady during our RoAd TrIp to IDAHO!! But before we started on that grand adventure, we had to make sure she had some fun while she was out here in Chicago
Every Friday evening and all day Saturday Nate is attending classes at The University of Chicago to complete his MBA, which he will graduate with this December. YEA!!! Because Nate does have classes to be at he was not able to come to Idaho with us. So before we left town and him we all went downtown on Saturday with him to spend the day in the city and to enjoy lunch together.
My sister Sophie's nickname is string bean or bean. She was given this name mainly because she was the littlest and youngest of our family and calling her little bean was just cute. So Bean, is standing next to the famous Chicago "Bean" at Millennium park :)
The boys love, love Crown Fountain!! Who wouldn't. A face that squirts at you, too fun.
Navy Pier.
Chicago Skyline
This was just a little squirt up water park but everyone sure had fun at it. Especially Justin, who usually likes watching Clay and Hayden get all wet, but this time he was soaked too!
Took Sophie to church with us the next day and had a early family movie night and then if was off the bed for everyone since we departed at 4am to start the big RoAd TrIp!!!
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