Saturday, November 26, 2016

Grands

 While we were in Nauvoo I made an attempt to take some pictures of my amazing grandchildren so I could update my wall.  What I found is that Adam was very good at doing anything for me so I could get a picture.  Brock was also really good, but never gave me a natural smile.  Cami was way too busy for me and Evie too, gave me some good fake smiles.  Butchy was just a hope and a prayer I could get something usable.  Enjoy these smiling faces!
Brock at the stone arch.  Love the background, not the smile so much.
 Adam did a good job here but I was hoping for something with a little more eyes.
 Evie was willing but this was very posed.
 Getting better.  Love how his blue eyes pop out with his shirt.
 Just hanging out.
 
Adam needed a pose by the moonstone.
 This makes me laugh.
 I don't know what he was doing or thinking, but I love his face!
 Cami taking pictures of her own.  At least I think that's what she's doing.
 My favorite of Adam.
 The best one of Butchy.
 I wanted one with his glasses on.
 This is the best I could do of Brock and I love it.  Even though Evie is making a cheesy grin, she's as cute as can be.  I love this picture.
As you can tell, I didn't get any pictures of Cami.  This will have to do.
I adore these beautiful faces and the personalities that go along with them.  

Alex & Cate, A New Eternal Family

 October 22, 2016 was the beginning of a new eternal family with Alex and Cate.  What a wonderful experience to witness their marriage and the beginning of eternity.  Lots of family came to Nauvoo for the occasion.

Evie loves Christine and she helped with the children as they waited outside the temple for the couple to emerge.
 What a gorgeous day it was!  The sun was shining and the sky was brilliant blue.  The temperatures weren't too bad either considering it was the end of October.
 As you can see, sweaters were in order but suit jackets were optional.
 Jeff catching up, or getting to know Matt, Chase and Matt Ainsworth.
 Brett's back has been giving him such grief that sitting is all that is really comfortable for him.
 The colors were just beginning to change in Nauvoo.  At home they were already past peak.
 These two little ladies are such good friends.  It will be a good thing when this family can move to Wisconsin and these two can spend more time together.
 I love that I caught this walk down the stairway.  Alex's face shows what they were both feeling.
 I love Millie's face.  She's such a gem!
 First photo as a family.
 I am amazed at the attention Alex gives this little daughter.  By watching him I can see the love he has for his new daughter.
 Here's a side of Alex I've seen before.  Silliness.
  Since Alex never had a girlfriend growing up, it was really odd to see him constantly kissing his bride.  It was quite foreign for me to see.
 He couldn't keep his eyes off her.
 Clint with two of his boys.
The attempt to get a group photo took a bit of orchestration.  In the end, I don't have a copy of it, but then I don't need one.  What a great opportunity to be in the temple to witness the beginning of another one of my nephews make the best decision of his life in marrying the right woman in the right place by the right authority.  Congratulations!

Nauvoo Trip

 Our nephew, Alex, got married on Saturday, October 22nd.  Therefore, we needed a family trip to Nauvoo!
We went earlier in the week and rented a home that we love.  We don't really love the house, we love the location and the price and the homey feel of the house.  Only one bed in the entire house is good for sleeping on unless you're just a kid and don't know better.
 As a family, we went to see Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo.  We also did some touring.  That was done on our own time and seeing what each of us wanted to see.
 We took the trek via the ox wagon.  Butchy loved touching the oxen.  Evie was a little more timid about it.
 We also got to go to the temple!  My favorite!
 We took a walk on a late afternoon before going to see the show and found the stage for the Nauvoo pageant.  We decided that we needed a pose from the old City of Joseph pageant so we created one.
 I love the scene of the temple at night all lit up.  Butchy loved the horses and since then he sees a picture of the Nauvoo temple and proclaims, "Horses!"  Then he tells me it is also a temple.
 Here we are on the ox ride.  Not everyone was with us as you can see.  A few of the guys were busy visiting the gunsmith.
 Here's our pose yet again.  Clint obviously was never part of the pageant as he doesn't have a clue how to do the pose.  The kids did their best.  All except Ev.  I don't know what she was doing.
 A selfie following the tour of the Carthage jail.  We sure did miss Erin!
What a wonderful weekend we had with our family.  I'm so thankful that we get along and we love one another.  I think that personalities could clash and we are lucky to have such a great group of people we call family, that even if we don't mesh perfectly, we still get along.  I couldn't have asked for a better weekend weather-wise or with better people!