POST-CHRISTMAS VISIT WITH OUR KANSAS KIDS

Christmas celebrating stretched clear to Dec. 30th

with Jeff, Jean and the kids coming to see us in Omaha

right after Christmas.

 

 Playing a game of Omaha-opoly that Jon & Shaunae sent us

 for Christmas...it's similar to Monopoly and lots of fun!

 Taylor and Jacob trying to pull a handcart at the

Mormon Trail Center.

 We always learn new things about the pioneers 

when taking a tour at the Mormon Trail Visitor Center.

 Sister Seguin did a great job showing us around the

gallery at the Trail Center.

 Jeff & Jean reading about the real German town this

gingerbread village was fashioned after.

 All the gingerbread displays at the Tabernacle were

still inspiring and beautiful even after being up for over a month.

 Taylor and Jacob figuring out a clue from the

scavenger hunt at the Tabernacle.

 The scavenger hunt made hunting for clues among

the gingerbread creations pretty challenging.

 

 We had a great time at the Tabernacle surrounded by all the 

beautiful Christmas decorations and gingerbread displays.

Stopping by an Eagle monument in honor of

Connor's up-coming Eagle Court of Honor.

Christmas At The Mormon Trail Center

 We made Christmas stockings for all the sister missionaries

and put them around the tree at the Trail Center.

 Christmas Eve dinner at the Trail Center with 

all the sister missionaries and senior couples.

 Our version of the Nativity was not quite as reverent

as it should have been, but it will be remembered!

 Our humble little Christmas tree brightened up our

apartment again this year and will go home with

Jeff & Jean's family next week.

 Opening presents on Christmas morning.  

We especially appreciated reading all the "Miracle letters"

our family sent us this year.

Enjoying a get together with some of the senior couples

on Christmas Day in our apartment.

 

GINGERBREAD FESTIVAL AT THE MORMON TRAIL CENTER

 One of the more imaginative gingerbread creations on display

at the Trail Center....

This gingerbread western town was a favorite with everyone.

 More of the western town which was displayed on a 10 ft. table.

 Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem...made of fondant and gingerbread.

 Cute little cabin made of pretzel logs.

 The annual Gingerbread Festival brings in around 25,000 people

to view the creative displays at both the Mormon Trail Center

and the Kanesville Tabernacle.

More gingerbread displays at the Kanesville Tabernacle....

IT'S NOVEMBER....HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 A Saturday drive down to Nebraska City to enjoy the fall colors.

 Traveling with the Colemans and the Dunns down to Nebraska City,

 enjoying the last nice days of Autumn.

 A walk in the woods down in Nebraska City.

 Our Thanksgiving Turkey!

 What a Thanksgiving feast we enjoyed at the Mormon Trail Center.

Lots of delicious foods to choose from!

 Enjoying dinner with 86 missionaries at the Mormon Trail Center.

 Good food, good friends, good times!

These 31 cute sister missionaries just make us smile!

Our Weekend in Nauvoo, October 17-19, 2013

Our mission Pres. gave us permission to spend a weekend in Nauvoo

visiting all our favorite places, including the Nauvoo Temple.

 Taking a walk down Parley Street brought back

some great memories.

 How the wagons were ferried across the Mississippi River.

 The lazy Mississippi River down at the end of Parley Street.

 We attended a session at the temple on Friday morning.

 The statues of Joseph and Hyrum against a backdrop 

of purple sky.

 The beautiful Nauvoo Temple at dusk.

Down on the flats....beautiful autumn flowers still in brilliant color.

 

 Meeting up with the Jarmans and Browns as we

toured the Print Shop in Old Nauvoo.

Sister Jarman and Sister Brown on their way home

from their mission...we loved serving with them!

 

MAKING THE MOST OF THIS FUN SUMMER

Beautiful Lauritzen Gardens

with the Monsens on our P day.

Another field trip to the Henry Doorley Zoo

with some of the sister missionaries.

 

 We could spend all day at the Zoo and still

come back for more....it's that good!

 We enjoyed a great day out at the Elkhorn River crossing

where the pioneers traveled after leaving Winter Quarters.

 The flowers at the Kanesville Tabernacle

are at their peak and very lovely.

 More of the beautiful flowers at the Kanesville Tabernacle.

 Just arriving at the Mormon Trail Center 

on a beautiful summer day.

 All the senior couples after Saturday morning training. 

 We had to carry on with tradition and dress up

in Lewis & Clark fashion with our friends, the Hansens.

 The Hansens, from our M.T.C. group, stayed with us 

on their way home from their mission in Palmyra.

 Our "mug shots" in the Mission office.

 My quilt that I finished just in time to be displayed

at the Pioneer Trail Center Quilt Show.

It's just a humble Pioneer quilt, but it will be a 

nice souvenir of our time in Winter Quarters.