Youth Conference 2012

Our trip started with a 12 hour bus ride, beginning at 8:00pm. Yes, PM! We rode overnight, with 50+ teenage kids stuck on a bus together. I was a little scared! But, it actually went MUCH better than I had anticipated. Besides my back, but that is to be expected.

 We had a middle of the night pit stop, that had this fantastic potty sign! Just had to take a picture of it.  Once we arrived in Nauvoo, we dropped off our belongings at Camp Nauvoo, ate a quick breakfast then walked 2 miles into Nauvoo.

We saw the Blacksmith, then walked down the Trail of Hope, reading the quotes on plaques, on our way to the Mississippi River.  It was a great way to start a spiritual weekend. 

 I had a little reminder of home!  There was a small outdoor building with all of the 2,070 names of those who died after leaving Nauvoo. Outside was a sign with a flagpole, donated by my hometown stake Provo Edgemont Stake! What a great surprise!

 We spent that day touring parts of Nauvoo. The kids couldn't help rolling down the grassy hill beneath the Nauvoo Temple. They definitely regretted it later when they were covered with small cuts (not soft blades like in Utah!) and rashes!

 After viewing the Joseph Smith movie at the Nauvoo Visitor's Center we were bused to Carthage Jail.

 Our sweet, soft spoken tour guide was a Sister from South Korea. I found it all the more powerful to hear her testimony of the "American Prophet" Joseph Smith, and what he means to her, and her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was great for the youth to hear how the same beliefs can connect them to someone from across the world in South Korea.

 My back started to give me trouble so I listened to a devotional after touring the jail, lying on my back beneath a gorgeous tree.

I was extremely grateful for our youth, and how they appreciate sacred places and the spirit they can feel while there. This was only Day 1 of a very enjoyable trip.

Tonight

 WE HAVE GONE FROM A STATE DIVIDED

TO A STATE UNITED!!!!



GO THUNDER!!!!

Beat the Heat!

GO THUNDER!!!!

This Thunder fan is beyond excited that the Thunder are the 2012 Western Conference CHAMPIONS!!! Can't wait till the finals. Our boys are gonna take it!!!!

GO THUNDER!!!

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 Brooklyn as our homeless child. She played HARD at her cousins house on Sunday. She loved playing especially in the DIRT!

For Memorial Day we went swimming at our good friends house. We played and swam and ATE all day. And afterwards, the kids CONKED out!

And I think that night, Brenna had a sleepover with Lily! And Lily lost her tooth at our house! But, she decided to keep it to wait to show her mom and dad, so I guess the Tooth Fairy had to wait for the Hansen home.

 We had a short spell of cooler weather, and we LOVED every second of it. There was a lot of tree climbing, sidewalk chalking, grilling, leaf collecting, even bike riding. Now, the temperature is climbing, and unless it involves playing in water, we won't be spending as much time outside!

Of course, this summer would start off with a minor injury. Cannon got a gash on his foot today, which meant a quick trip to the Urgent Care. Three stitches later, and a Sonic Slush to make it all better, he was back at play! I love my tough kid. (Thank goodness, cause with his luck, he will have to be tough! This kid is a magnet to trouble and injury!)

We did make a last minute trip to a local park with the cousins. Although the weather was getting a little sticky, the kids loved getting sweaty sticky playing hard. And thank goodness, because that made bedtime a whole lot easier!

What a great beginning to the Summer of 2012!