things that make me smile

I saw this little note on the wall at Lander's school and couldn't help but smile. Lander really wasn't joking when he said that it makes him happy when other people are happy. I've never been around a kid who gets more upset when others are unhappy than he does. He truly cares about others.

And a few days before, Jake made us all smile when he was ordained as a Deacon and given his first temple recommend. Talk about a parent pay day of a week! I am so pleased with my boys!

a little Bouldering

The boys chose rock climbing for their "sport" this fall. They are practicing the technique called "Bouldering" here. According to Wikipedia, "bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad (Their mom thanks you crash pad!) so that a fall will not result in serious injury (At least let's hope. With these boys anything is possible.). It is typically practiced on large natural boulders or artificial boulders in gyms and outdoor urban areas. However, it may also be practiced at the base of larger rock faces (Sorry boys. Mom is vetoing this option), or even on buildings or public architecture."

Jake and Lander with Keaton L.

Winter Quarters, Nebraska

I know what you are thinking, "Seriously? More pictures? I think I will go shove my finger down my throat now." 

Relax. Isn't this new collage system so much better? It makes my endless of supplies of pictures much more palatable. Yes? I thought so! Besides, I couldn't end the record of our Epic Spud Harvest Vacation without including this special place in Florence, Nebraska. 

As we tried to follow the path that our ancestors trekked as they fled from their homes in Nauvoo, Illinois, we ended at the Mormon Trail Center. 

our family standing next to Amy Porter's grave    Jake & Lander standing next to Amy's original gravestone

This place had special significance to our family because Jake and Lander's great, great, great, great, great grandmother, Amy Sumner Porter, was buried here when she died from malnutrition after fleeing her home in Nauvoo. Her burial place gained some notoriety in the old pioneer cemetery because her gravestone was the only legible marker to be found. Because of her gravestone, historians were able to identify the remains of many other pioneers buried here.

In her story written by Bonnie Hiedenreich, she tells us that "it seems the cold bitter weather will never stop. I am weary and worn. I have promised the Lord that I will give all that I have, even my own life, to build up the kingdom. I don't know why that sacrifice would be required, but the Lord knows my heart, and all that I have is His...If I cannot make it to the land of Zion, I am confident that the Lord will answer the prayer of my heart...that my children will remain faithful, and that through them will come generations of righteousness."

It was hard to choke back the tears as the missionaries in the visitors center read this passage to us, knowing that we are some of the people that she was talking about. Like Nauvoo, it reinforced the desire to live a better life so that our ancestors' sacrifices were not in vain.

the Valley of Adam-ondi-Ahmen

It had been several days of driving, historical sites, and complete seriousness. Even so, it doesn't excuse us from breaking into utter Jamison-ness while visiting this sacred site.

Um, sorry?

Perhaps Josh dancing on a giant rock and the atomic wedgies he gave the boys is genetic. Would it help if I claimed that we "just couldn't help it?" Or if I told you that we were all alone?

Kidding aside, Adam-ondi-Ahmen really was an amazing place to visit and totally worth the hour drive out of our way. We could feel it's sacred power long before we pulled into the beautifully manicured but still wild valley.

The name Adam-ondi-Ahman is a phrase from the Adamic language meaning something close to "Adam in the presence of God." It was here that Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden and driven into our world.

To us, this valley was lush and beautiful. The boys ran around gathering walnuts from the ground and we saw deer and other game running about. We tried to imagine how Adam and Eve must have felt, because to them this place was probably the opposite of lush. What a strange world it must have been.

We will never forget our visit, and not because of giant wedgies or silly dads dancing on rocks, but because of the way that we felt while in this most sacred valley.

we love DQ

and had to make a stop in Kewanee, Illinois. 

 Sneaky Josh snapped this photo incognito. Silly boy.

 And of course, Lander had to come up with a creative way to eat his cone.

St. Louis, Missouri

From Nauvoo we drove to St. Louis to visit Kyle and Dayna, straight into pouring, sheets of rain. We had planned on stopping to see the Gateway Arch, but we made a wrong turn, and ended up driving through the "ghetta" as Lander called it (the driving through the ghetto was by choice). The boys were totally mystified, wondering why there were block after block of boarded up windows, bars, and graffiti. It was totally beyond their comprehension. Once we got back on track we decided to bypass the stop at the Arch. The rain was falling in torrents so this was as close as we got. I was a little disappointed because I wanted to watch a movie about Lewis and Clark that they show there. Did you know that Lewis and Clark launched from St. Louis on their journey west? I thought it would be cool to see where they started and where they ended at the Pacific ocean (that will be for next year's spud harvest vacation). Oh well.

We had a wonderful time visiting Kyle and Dayna, and (of course) loved playing with the cousins. We crammed in a visit to Grant's Farm (originally owned by Ulysses S. Grant). Lander wanted to make sure that we posted some pictures of the animals that we saw on the free train ride through the park and a few other sites there.

Kyle, Kylie, Tre, Lander, Dixie and Jake 

We were surprised to learn that this deer is not an albino, because it does not have pink eyes. According to our guide, they are very rare, but we can't remember the name of them for the life of us!

Anheuser Busch sponsors the park. There is plenty of beer for the taking, for anyone interested. We decided to just pose by it instead of imbibing.

Carthage Jail

Carthage Jail was another place that awed and inspired us. Like Nauvoo, it is filled with such power. We all felt so grateful for the opportunity that we had to visit this place.

Jake standing next to a memorial for the Prophet Joseph and his brother, Hyrum Smith, who were both killed by a mob while being imprisoned at Carthage on June 27, 1844.

Did you know that Joseph and the other prisoners were staying in the jailer's bedroom when they were attacked? The jail was set up with living quarters for the jailer and his family, a jail cell on the main level that was for mild offenses (like debtors), and a horrible cell in the top floor of the building that had no windows or ventilation for the more serious offenders. After several days the jailer realized that the Prophet  and others were being held illegally. They were being kept in the lower cell, but the jailer was worried that someone would try to shoot them through the windows. He felt that they were honorable men so he offered them the use of his bedroom so that they would be safe. This is the original door that stood in the room where the martyrdom occurred.  The bullet hole in the middle of the door is the one that killed Hyrum Smith. There is a little rectangular piece above the door knob where bullets shot John Taylor (if I remember correctly). This piece was cut out by a local and found nearly one hundred years later in an old barn when the jail was restored.

Lander and Jake standing at the same window that the Prophet fell from (in the jailer's bedroom).

 Our family standing outside that same window

I just had to include this picture. Lander had so much fun climbing in this tree located next to the jail. Boys will be boys!

welcome to Nauvoo

After several fun filled days, we left Plainfield and drove in a rental car to Nauvoo. Words cannot express the feelings as we drove into this area. Let's just say that it is very powerful.

Jake and Lander at the Nauvoo Temple

When the Saints were driven from Nauvoo, they walked down Parley Street to this spot on the banks of the Mississippi River. I cannot imagine the feelings our families must have felt as they left their warm homes behind for the cold and unknown futures that they faced.

We found this map hanging in the rebuilt home of Brigham Young. It is a map of the many LDS settlements out west.  Our family was called to many of these far out (and sometimes to what might have seemed forsaken) places; St. Joseph, the colonies in Mexico, Kirtland, or according to the map "Kirkland". I'm wondering if this might be an error? So far internet searches haven't shown anything by the name of Kirkland, maybe someone else knows?

The fall colors were really starting to set in. This is the view from the gun smith shop, looking towards the post office.

We rented this refurbished pioneer cabin that was brought in from Evanston, Wyoming. We were surprised to learn that Philo T. Farnsworth owned land directly across the street from our cabin.

Say "Cheese!" Jake and Lander pose, and apparently Dixie too, for yet another picture make the most of the old Nauvoo experiences.

This is the original Smith Homestead. Joseph Smith moved his family into the log portion in April 1839. It also served as church headquarters for about 2 years. Joseph, Emma, Hyrum, and several other family members are buried in the family cemetery next to the Homestead.

The Church of Christ owns the Homestead and gives tours for a nominal fee. Pictures aren't allowed. After our tour Josh fessed up that he had been taking incognito photos. Tsk, tsk Mr. Jamison. In any case, this is a view of the original living room and firelplace.

Jake and Lander consented to babysitting themselves for a few hours so that we could go on a date to the temple. Talk about a beautiful site!

really?

We came across this road sign while driving through Illinois.

When we first saw these signs, we couldn't help but laugh. Seriously? Well if that's all, then why not, eh? Then after a while I couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed as I wondered, WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE!?! I'm so glad that the government is keeping us safe because if that sign wasn't there, then I might just TRY to hit someone. Thank you Captain Obvious aka State of Illinois for helping me understand that it is a bad idea to hit someone with my car. It makes me want to rant away, I think I had better stop here, or I might just say too much...

Starved Rock State Park

Keri had mentioned that she wanted to go hiking at a little state park called Starved Rock. We noticed a sign for it as we drove from Plainfield towards Nauvoo, so we decided to make a quick stop.  We didn't stay long, but it was nice to get out. It was beautiful, the fall colors just starting to turn.

The boys "hiking" to see Starved Rock

 Lander, Dixie & Jake overlooking the Illinois River

We saw a huge school of what we assumed were Asian carp fly out of the water. Lander was hoping that more would jump out of the water.