Matt's Goodbye Dinner

Last week Jake's brother Matt left to boot camp for the Army. Before he left we had a goodbye dinner for him with some of his friends. We had some yummy food and had fun talking very late...It was good to have some time hanging out before Matt had to leave. We miss him hanging out with us and having dinner with us already!

Army Men Cupcakes :) haha. 

In Loving Memory

Last week was my Grandpa's beautiful funeral. And it was beautiful. The speakers did a wonderful job of portraying the person that he was, and that he would want to be remembered by. His love of the gospel, his love of his family and his friends, and his love of horses. He was a true cowboy. Hardworking, strong, and kind.  When I was little I spent most of my time hanging out with Grandpa, he always called me his right hand partner. He always made me feel so special. The days after his passing up to his funeral I had a really hard time accepting that he was gone. The funeral put me at peace though. Knowing I will see my Grandpa again. Like he would say, "Life is a journey, Death is going home." I will miss you Grandpa :)

Police escort

Presenting my Grandma with the flag. His name will also be placed on the Wall of Honor in the Salem City Cemetery. 

21 gun salute. 

The Brothers and Sisters.

Christmas in Illinois

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to go to Illinois and visit Jake's family and celebrate "Christmas" with them. We had so much fun. Of course our very first stop...Steak 'n Shake. Jake has a love affair with this place...

mmmmmm....

We <3 Steak 'n Shake. They are...

Ok maybe slightly cheesy....but seriously. They have awesome steakburgers. 

On Friday we headed to Nauvoo. We spent all day Friday and most of the day Saturday seeing the sights of Nauvoo! I love that place! It had been way too long since I had been...

Visitors Center

Jake and I got his mom this painting for Christmas. It is one of my very favorites by Mark Mabry. I love his work. 

Our hotel, the Joseph and Emma Suite. 

Jake and I's room

After getting some lunch and getting settled in we headed to the Family Living Center and did some pioneer activities. 

Jake, Matt, and Kerry making rope

We went on the Carriage Ride and froze! 

Heber C. Kimball Home (don't think the car was his :))

Joseph and Emma's home

The Mansion House

The Rendezvous play is a must see if you are in Nauvoo. It is really cute.  

This is why I need a King Bed. 

Saturday morning we got up and did an Endowment Session at the Nauvoo Temple. This Temple is stunning. The inside is built to look a lot of what it would look like originally. It was awesome. One of the temple workers took us in some back hallways and showed us some temple clothes of people that had been used in the original temple. It was really neat. 

After we finished Saturday afternoon we headed to visit Jake's family. We stayed there Saturday and went to church with them Sunday. We spent Sunday visiting the other half of Jake's family. It was so good to see everyone again. We were so beat by the time we got home that night!

Jake's Dad and Grandpa at the Veteran's Memorial in Astoria

Monday we went into St. Louis to see the St. Louis Arch. Pretty amazing structure!

Afterwards we headed to our favorite, The Cheesecake Factory...mmmmm 

John Shields is an ancestor of Jake that was on the Lewis and Clark expedition.

We were only there a week, and got a lot done that we wanted to, but it still didn't feel like long enough! We miss everyone already, hopefully you'll be coming out here soon!! Thanks for letting us visit!