Nauvoo

It is time for a new video camera.  It has been recovered a number of times from bad falls, but in Feb it plunged 15 ft into a small cave at the highest point of the mountain in Machu Picchu.  Good thing that mom was not there because Dad sent Abe into the black crevice to recover it.  But I digress.

Here is our trip to Nauvoo.  It was spectacular.  What a great experience to see Brent and Janet as missionaries (performing nonetheless).  We were able to spend sweet time in the temple, enjoy geode hunting on P-day, see the pageant, and get a better understanding of the life the Saints led in this sacred place.  This trip was so memorable.

I am having troubles uploading the video, so you can find it here until I fix the gliche.

We spotted this fox over and over throughout the week.

Grandma booking Carriage Tours and Wagon Rides

Playing in Jonathon Browning's backyard.

Getting a tour from Grandma

Anna Amanda Amelia Applebee

Our favortie Jed and Annie

Random Thoughts

• I love mint chocolate chip ice cream and cheese danishes even more.  Fortunately for my waist, I cannot get either here on the local economy.  However thanks to the commissary, today I ate both.  
• I miss the sun!
• Afterschool activities that live up my standards are hard to find here.  I just can't let go of my expectations. 
• I have a lot of decisions to make which is a double-sided coin.  I just can't seem to get it off my mind, even though I really am trying.
• I LOVE real estate.  In all forms.  Some people love to craft or cook or bake or use Photoshop. I love to look through the MLS and read real estate investment blogs.  This is one of the few reasons I dream of living in the same place forever.  Real estate and established friendships.  Period.
• While I do dream about Target and Costco, I will give up both forever if it means that I get to travel.
• We have such great friends here in Peru.  If I raised my children in once place, they would not have to say goodbye over and over and work at establishing new friendships every few years.  Except that if we didn't, we wouldn't have had the opportunity to get to know the great families posted with us around the world.  We have such great friends.  Truly.
• I have a pile of things to blog about, but just can't get motivated enough to do it.  Just the thought of sitting here while the photos are uploading...
• I think that this blog might have more future value if I go private so that I can be more open.  I simply just don't want to.  Why not?  I don't know.
• I love the Young Women's organization of the Church.  There is no better place to serve.  They lift me up day in and day out.  Regardless of history or language.  They are the hope of the future.  Incredible.
• I could listen to this song over and over and over:

• Speaking of which, I love this one too (thanks to the Nie Nie Dialogues new family video):

Preview of Nauvoo

One of the pioneers favorite passtimes was the Stick Pull.  This is  just too good not to share... More of Nauvoo to come soon.  We have a lot to share from our summer vacation. There is some good stuff.