Trip- Day 5- Iowa to Nauvoo, Illinois

 Iowa corn fields.  The corn is so tall.  The Mortensen Owl is with us.

 We were in Fort Madison, Iowa and paid a toll to cross a bridge over the Mississippi into Illinois.  A beautiful river.

 Nauvoo, Illinois.  The Temple is beautiful.  We are staying at the motel part of Hotel Nauvoo.  Everything takes you back in time.

 Sites around Nauvoo.

 Outside the Visitors Center we saw the Historical Vignette of the "Women of Nauvoo" in the Women's Garden

 We saw the play "High Hopes and Riverboats"

 We saw the "Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo" in the old restored Cultural Hall

Night time photos of the temple and statues of Joseph and Hyrum Smith on horseback.

Trip- Day 4- Monday-Swimming

 Oliver is taking swimming lesson in Cedar Falls so Randy and I went with Melanie, Oliver and Henry there first thing this morning.  Oliver loves the water and is like a fish.

We next went to the Water Park in Waterloo.  It had around 15 large slides and Melanie and Oliver went on all of them.  Grandma was brave and did one slide with Oliver.  (Not any pictures because I did not have the camera by the slides)  Randy and I spent most of the day with Henry at the kids pool.  He loved playing there.  The temperature was 96 degrees with high humidity.  A good day to be swimming.  

The last few nights we have all been watching the 2012 Olympics and enjoying see all the accomplishments there also.

Trip- Day 3- Sunday Cedar Falls

We went to church in the Cedar Falls Ward with the Hays's.  It will be a great ward for them.  The ward members were so nice and friendly. I think they will take good care of them.

We all took the kids to play on the playground at Oliver's school.  It is just a few blocks away from their house.  Oliver starts school in just 18 days.

We went and walked around the Hartman Preserve.  Oliver and Ben caught bugs, Henry is playing with bubbles, Olive is doing the Blind walk, and we just all had a great time.  It was beautiful and only a few block from their house also.

A few pictures of down town.  They have preserved a lot of the old buildings and made it so unique.

We ate ice cream at a famous ice shop in downtown Cedar Falls also.  Henry is really liking his ice cream.  It was warmer today and we did feel the humidity, so different from Rexburg.  We are having a great time getting to see where they will be living.

Trip- Day 2- Cedar Falls and Waterloo, Iowa

 First thing this morning we drove to Waterloo to one of the Hays's favorite cafes for breakfast.  Newtons.  It was your good old fashion cafe with the best breakfast ever.

 We went to the Farmers Market and the Co-op.  It is beautiful here and we have hit some very mild weather, just around 80 degrees, so it has been great.  We saw some of the sites of the city.

Oliver and Henry playing in the backyard of their home.  They all seem to be living it here.  I just have to remember it is  just a short plane ride away.  

Trip - Day 1- Rexburg to Iowa

 We flew from Rexburg to Denver in a small plane from United. And then boarded another small plane and flew into Des Moines, Iowa

 The lay of the land is flat but I thought the fields were very unique looking out of the plane windows.  Des Moines looks like a fun town but we headed directly to Cedar Falls to see the Hays's.

 Oliver had been taking an art class and we were hoping to make it there in time to see his puppet play. We actually missed the play but were able to see where his class was.

The Hays new house and where Melanie will be teaching school.  We ate dinner at Sakura where they cook in front of you.  That is one of Oliver's favorite places to eat.  It is so good to see them in there new area.  

Holden and Keagan

 Holden and Keagan on the Merry-go-round in Porter Park, in Rexburg, Idaho.

Holden and Keagan fixing me lunch in the playhouse in the back yard.  I had a fun afternoon spent with the boys.  

Rexburg Temple

Friday morning Randy and I went for a bike ride early.  This is the scene we saw.  The sunshine was coming through the clouds and shinning down on the Rexburg Temple.  It was such an awesome sight and such a great feeling to be alive.  A bike ride early in the morning clears your mind and gives you such a good feeling to start the day.  

Hillary Working

 Caleb and Hillary's house sold and they cannot get into their new one until August, so Hillary and Lily came and stayed with us for a few weeks.  Hillary spent her days working and the baby sitter and I got to spend our time with Lily.  It was so great having them here.  I miss them already.

 Lily perfected her walking while she was here.  At first she was holding on to furniture and by time she left she was running down the hall.

Lily enjoying spaghetti.  

Backyard Fun

Sunday the Landon Family came out to dinner and to visit with Ashley, Hillary and Lily.  The biggest hit at our place right now is the golf cart.  Everyone likes to go for rides down the road.  Notice even Lily and Bear. The Landon grand-kids like to take turns driving.  The twins also like the 4-wheeler.  And of course the hot tub is always a big hit. You cannot beat having grand-kids.  

Patriots and Pioneers

Randy and I went to the program PATRIOTS AND PIONEERS that was held in the BYU-Idaho Center. The featured artist was Alex Boye'. It was a wonderful program.

Lily

Lily has been here staying with Hillary while their house is being built.  She is such a delight.  She was just walking when she came and now she is running.  

Hays's leaving Idaho on their way to Iowa

Melanie, Ben, Oliver and Henry were able to spend a week with us before they headed to Iowa to live.  They loaded up their u-haul and headed out on Saturday.  It was so good to have them here for a week but we will really miss them.  Iowa seems so far away.  Thank heavens for cell phones, facetime and all the modern convinces to keep in touch.  

Local attractions for the Hays's to visit while they are here.

 Miniature Golf at the Riot Zone in Rigby

 Bowling at Teton Lanes.

Splash Park at Porter Park in Rexburg.  

Henry Hays 2 years old (a little early)

 Henry will be Iowa on July 20th when he turns two years old so we gave him his present early.

He loves Robots.  So this was a hit.  It talked and walked and he could make it run by himself.  He was a pretty happy little boy.

4th of July Celebration

 I liked the Red, White and Blue cars parked in our front yard.  Lily loved watching the parade for Independence Day.

 Jaxon and Raquel invited us over for dinner to celebrate.

We watched the fireworks at their house. What a great day.  

Hollyhocks and Daisy's

 The hollyhocks in the backyard are starting to bloom.  I remember as a young girl making Flower Dolls out of the flowers in our yard.  The Hollyhocks made such pretty dresses for the dolls.

The daisy's  are blooming also. 

Bike Riding

I love to go for bike rides in the early morning.  There is not even a breezes and the day is still cool.  The view from up on top of the dry farms is breath taking.  What a great way to start the day.  

Backyard Cook-Out

Cooking hot dogs and s'mores in the backyard.  The kids love swimming in the hot-tub and little pool also.  A great night with the family.

Bearworld

 Entrance to Bearworld

 Riding through the park in the car.  One Bear got a little to close and tried to take the mirror off the car.

 Amusement rides at the park

 Visiting the Petting Zoo

Curator Ride in the truck