Missouri

We took a quick trip to Missouri last weekend to see the church sites.  It was such a great trip.  I have to admit that I wasn't thrilled about the idea at first.  As the trip got closer and Dad was telling me about all the places we would visit I started to get excited.  It ended up being one of my best trips ever!!  I learned so much and felt more connected with the pioneers of the church.  The trip changed my life.  We stayed in a hotel near Kansas City and visited Liberty Jail, Independence visitors' center, the Community of Christ temple, the new Kansas City temple, Far West, Haun's Mill and Adam-ondi-ahman.  It was two days of driving and two days of site seeing.  Just the right amount of both for this family.

While there we also celebrated Lady K and Dad's birthdays.  We went out to dinner (a big deal for us!), swam in the hotel pool, popped popcorn and watched movies in our hotel and just enjoyed the time together.  It was a great trip.

The reconstructed Liberty Jail.  For the most part, this was the most memorable site for the kids.

By the Liberty Jail.

A random pencil that was probably 40 feet tall.

An old printing press at the Independence visitors' center.

The play room at the visitors' center.

Our tiny little pioneer eating his hands.

An intense game of checkers.

At the Independence Visitors' center we ran into our old MTC choir director.  Do any of you recognize him?  What  a great guy with such a strong spirit!

The Community of Christ Temple (formerly known as the Reorganized  Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They have a cool museum on the first floor with some of Joseph Smith's personal items and the original door to the Liberty Jail.

Independence visitors' center.

The new Kansas City temple.

Celebrating the two birthdays at Red Robin.

They got super balloon hats for their birthdays!  Haha.  A certain girl was really embarrassed to wear hers.

The placard at Far West temple site.

The original city map of Far West.

This is the temple site at Far West.  There are four corner stones there within the gates.  The spirit when we stepped onto the temple ground was unmistakable, like when I step into a real temple.  It was truly a sacred place.

This is believed to be a mill stone from Haun's Mill.  

And this is the thriving metropolis across the street from that mill stone.  It was a terribly run down place  but people still live there.

This is Adam-ondi-ahman.  Wow, what an amazing place.  So much has happened here and is yet to happen.  You can't even come close to capturing the beauty and magnificence of this place with a camera.

Hallowed ground!!  I could feel it.  Adam blessed his children here, Nephites built altars here, Christ will come here.  It was amazing to be in this place!!

I think what these guys will remember from Adam-ondi-ahman was the unlimited supply of sticks to throw, fight with and use as walking sticks.  

A smiley, bundled baby at Adam-ondi-ahman.

Valentines Day

We had a fun Valentines day here.  The kids made some cute boxes for their class parties.  Little L took time to look up a creative idea and then executed the whole thing with no help from me.  I was super impressed.  The kids had a simple dinner while Dad and I went out with some friends.  I got them each a box of chocolates and a balloon which of course was popped the next day to suck helium.  I heard a lot of high pitched laughter the next morning.  Sillies!!  Happy Valentines to my favorite people!!

Little L's box.  It says "Feed me Valentines."  So cute.

Baughman Brothers

Two of my brothers, Reid and Doug came to visit on their trek out to Virginia.  Doug was helping Reid drive his moving van out. (They wanted internet aliases so here they are Risky R and Dr. D.  That was the best I could do guys.) It was a short visit but we packed in the chat time and play time with these awesome uncles.  We love you guys.  Good luck, Reid and Heather, in Virginia.

Risky R and Dr. D with the fam. 

Mom with my "little" brothers.  I took care of these two when they were babies.

The men and their truck!

"Wait, where are we going?  Did you bring a map?  Neither did I."

Washing off the bugs.

She's Six

Baby R had a super fun birthday this year.  We did a family party and she invited one of her best friends.  She got lots of presents from the family including a Barbie who has a family of dogs, a Ken and a car for them to drive around in.  Life couldn't be better.

The birthday girl.

She decorated her own cake using Little People.

The party.

Out to luch with Dad at Red Robin.  Look at that face!!

New Years

Oops, this post is out of order.  We had a fantastic New Years party.  Uncle Reid and Aunt Heather gave us a chocolate fountain which was the center of our fun.  Everyone made it to midnight and it was a fantastic party with games, noise makers, poppers and of course lots of dipping chocolate.  Happy 2013.

This is everyone the day before our party reading their books they got for Christmas.

Let's make some noise!!

Yummy chocolate.

Even Big B woke up for the big event.

The aftermath.

Paw Award

Mr. M made the honor roll again.  Way to go bud.  You are paving the way for the rest of the Vance kids.

The proud mother.

Big B applauds his older brother.  

Visit From the Vances

A few weeks ago Grandma Vance, Uncle Ryan and Aunt Carissa came for a visit.  It was so much fun to have them here.  We played games, went swimming, blessed Big B, and Dad showed them around Denver.  It was a super great time.  Thanks for the visit!!  Come again.

Picking Grandma Vance up at the airport.  Baby R insisted we  should make her a sign and buy her a balloon so that she would know where we were when she came out of the tunnel.  So cute.

J Man with Uncle Ryan.

There were a lot of Sorry games played.

Cuddling with Grandma.

Playing Just Dance 4.  Aunt Carissa is a rock star at this.  I couldn't beat her (not that that's saying much.)

Little L cooking with Grandma.  Yum.

Swimming at the rec center.

Mom cooking with Grandma.

Playing the Story game with Apples to Apples cards.