4th Annual Baby Animal Days

Yes, it's that time of year again!  When Spring is in the air and baby animals are among us.  As many of you know, Baby Animal Days not only marks the coming of spring, but a special part of Jeff and I's past.  

Baby Animal Days is my favorite yearly tradition and this year we had company!  It's fantastic because not only do you get to see, hold, pet baby animals but it also gives us an excuse to revisit our beloved Logan (which I miss dearly...)

I fell in love with this itty-bitty bunny and wanted to take it home with me!

Ryan and Julane and their bunnies

We love the duckies :)

For those of you who don't know/remember the significance of Baby Animal Days in our lives... it was our second-first date.  The date that started it all and got us together.  Also know as "The Best Worst Date Ever," because we ended up a canyon stranded for a couple hours with a rolled over truck.

1st Baby Animal Days - 2010

(the beginning of something wonderful)

2nd - 2011

 (engaged and only a month away from the wedding!)

3rd - 2012 

(Newlyweds :)

4th Baby Animal Days - 2013

(approaching our two year anniversary baby!)

Nauvoo Trip

My mom had been wanting to take Matt out to Nauvoo, since he wasn't born yet when my family went years ago.  My in-laws live in St. Louis, Missouri (three hours away from Nauvoo) so we took the advantage of the free "Wegner" hotel and car rental and headed out on our short trip a couple weekends ago.

We flew out late Thursday night and drove to Illinois in the morning.  We spent the night across the river in Iowa so we that we had the majority of two days to explore.  This was actually my 3rd time going to Nauvoo, but I loved it just as much the first two times!  It's such a special place with a very tender, sweet spirit that resides there. 

We discovered the most awesomest park on our way!!  Everything was made out of wood!  

(airplane pics for the hubby, of course)

They had a big train, this truck, tractor, plane, and playground!  So fun!

John Taylor's home

Edward Partridge!  My great, great, great, GREAT.... Grandpa :)

I love this temple!  It's neat because the first time we went to Nauvoo the temple wasn't built yet, so we got to see the foundation.  It's cool to have seen it before and after!  I also had the opportunity to do baptisms for the dead the second time I went.  Way neat experience!!

The Community of Christ owns Joseph Smith's homes, the Nauvoo house, and the Brick Yard Store, and since those are the best parts of Nauvoo we paid the small donation and did the tour.

Joseph Smith's Mansion house

The Homestead

Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma's graves

We saved the best for last and passed through Carthage on our way home.

Carthage Jail:  Where Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith were shot and killed.  Sealing their testimonies with their blood.  The spirit is so strong here and sitting in that room where they were martyred is a very humbling experience.  

I was only 8 years old when my family made our first trip to Nauvoo, and it was sitting in that same room that I first remember feeling the spirit so strongly.

I'm so grateful for the pioneers - my ancestors - who had so much faith and courage, suffering through so much persecution and tribulation.  And I'm indeed grateful that Heavenly Father preserved Nauvoo and Carthage as a reminder and standing witness of their sacrifices and faith.