Dodge City, Kansas

We had a great time in Dodge City. The kids loved the old train. They played for an hour. First they called everyone aboard and lit the fire. They Taydom had to get the cows of the tracks and fix the broken parts. Vilate shovled coal in to the fire and called Taydom "Captian".
We also went to the local zoo. It was small but very inpressive. It was so clean and we could get very close to the animals. We evan met the zoo keeper, Tony. He told us stories about the animals. Were they came from and how they got them. Some of the animal were in their dens and he called them out so we could see them better. I could have spent hours talking to him about the animal.
Later Tyson asked Grandpa if he could use his BeeBee gun and take the kids shooting. I was amazed how fast the kid picked it up. They shot the water bottle many times. Dad and Grandpa shot the bottles a few times too.

Happy Birthday Dad/ Aug 29th

We arrived in dodge City, Kansas so late the nigh of the 28th. The 29th was Tysons's birthday. I got up early and went to Wal-mart to buy balloons and streamers to put up arould the house befor he got up. It has been a hard few months for him and I wanted to try to make his birthday specal. We alway put up streemer and balloon for birthdays and I did not want to forget to do that even though we are in the middle of a move. The kids were exctied to see the balloon and it made Tyson smile. Grandma made him his favorite cake and we sang to him. I hope he felt specal on his birthday.

August 28th... on the road again

From Nauvoo we travled to Dodge City, Kansas. Tyson grow in Dodge until he was 15 years old. On our way to we drove though Kansas City, Kansas. Taydom and Vilate were born in Kansas City. We stopped by our old house to show the kids our old house. We knocked on the door and met the person that lived there now. He said he just bought it a few months ago. It did not change much except the trees had grow.
We also stopped to see Uncle Beau and Ashley. It had been about 2 1/2 years sence we had see them. Beau could not believe how much the kids had grown.

The Temple

more photo of 2nd day in Nauvoo

2nd Day in Nauvoo

Our 2nd day in Nauvoo we took the river road to Carthage to see were Joseph and Hyram were killed. The kids enjoyed learning about what happoned. I loved showing them were I served the 2nd summer of my misson.

Sunset on The Mississippi

1st day in Nauvoo

Monmouth, IL

On our way from Clevland OH to Nauvoo we drove through Monmouth, IL. This was my first area on my mission. I was only there for 2 mounths but really loved the town. When I servied there the church was located in a small store frount in a strip mall. We were lucky if 30 people showed up for church each Sunday. I wounder if the tiny branch would last long. When the church was not were I remenbered it, I thought for sure they must have been absorbed by the ward in a larger town. Tyson pulled out the GPS and looked it up. As we followed the direction I thought it would take us to another store fround, I was so excited to see a building. I was full of joy to see that our tiny branch was doing well and ever growing.

Day 2 on the road / Notre Dame

After staying the night in Clevland we got back on the road and drove until around lunch time. As we were getting of the highway I so sign for The Univerisity of Notre Dame. We had to go. When are w ever going to have the chance to see it again. We quickey ate some lunch and followed the sign to Notre Dame. We passed Holy Cross College and St. Mary too. We only got out to take a quick photo and got right back ing the car to get on the road again. I pictured the the building to be more like the great cathedrals in Rome or Italy but they were not. The campus was beautiful, but not what I pictured in my heard for so many years. They were very modern with just a touch of old world in them. Morely in the window and doorways.

The Sacred Grove

We stopped in Palmyra, New York and spend some time in the Sacred Grove and the Smith Family home. The Sacred Grove is were Joseph Smith pay to know what church he should join. In answer to his pray God the Father and his son Jesus Christ appeared to him. It was little out of the way but we had to go. The spirit was so strong there. I wish we could have spend more time there.

We got into Cleveland, Ohio very late that night but I did not care. I would have driven ever later. The detour was worth the late night of driving.

Day 1 on the road

Sunday , August 24th we got up early and on the road. Taydom and Vilate enjoyed movies while I drove my car and Tyson drive his. We were not able to drive together. It would coast too much $$ to ship one car and I did not want to sale mine and be without a car once we got to Denver.

Swimming late at night

All day Saturday Tyson and I worked hard to finish everything so we could leave the next day. We told the kids if they were good we could swim at the hotel that night. It was very late when we made it to the hotel but not too late to swim. They only swam for about 45 minutes but I had to keep my word. It is so amazing to see how well they have learned to swim this summer.

Towne Family

I love this family. They have a place in my heart right next to my sisters and family. Max and Chuck invited us over to dinner our last night in town. I hope we live close to each other again some day. Many times I felt like they were extended family. Taydom and Vilate played with their kids like they play with their cousins.

Gilford family

Monday night we went to dinner with the Gilford family. I am really going to miss them. Taydom and Micheal were great friend. They clicked so well. A little peir persure (the good kind) can go a long way. I will miss Amy so much. It's not very often you meet someone that you just hit it off with. I will miss our conversations and her stories of her life . She is so amazing and a woulderfully mother.

Super Safe

I have always warn my seatbeat and strapped the kids in their seats. The other day Viate and I were running around town. I was in a hurry and maybe driving a little craz,y maybe that is why Viate left like she needed a little more protection. J/K.... I always drive safe.

Our Last Harvist

Tuesday befor we movied I harviested everything out of the garden. Tomatos were green and the carotts were small but I wanted to reap some of my hard work. I washed the carrotts and bagged them so we could eat them as we drove. I put the tomatos in the window in the sun. 3 of them did rippen up to were I was able to give them to people befor we left.

Dinner with Friends

Sunday night we had dinner with the Valdez family. We had been trying to get together for dinner for a while, and I am really glad we finally made it work. Tammy made a wounderful dinner of authentic mexican cillies and beans with homemade tortillas. SO Yummy! We ate out side in the back were the kids enjoyed swinging on there huge tree swing. After dinner we talked around the fire pit. It was a great night. Thank you Tammy and Rick for a great night.

We will miss you

Friday afternoon we went to say good bye to Mrs, Fortin and Mrs. Buck. We will miss them so much. Thank you........... I have so much respect for you and appreciated what you have done for Taydom. Thank you so much, he is a better person due to your efforts.

Getting the car fixed

Friday I had an appointment to get an oil change in my car. While I was were I ask them to look at a few other things too. Taydom and I got a ride home from their courtesy van. Due to the road work by our house we got out of the van early and walked some of the way. It was a great chance for Taydom and I to watch the workers.



The car needed new brake pads and routers. I could not believe the how much the Dealership wanted...$560ish, so I called around and found a better price. Sears said they could do it for $330. Huge Price Difference. Tyson drove the kids and I to the Dealership and I took the car to Sears.

Taydom, Vilate and I hung out at the mall for 2 hours while Sear did the brakes. We payed in toy stores, ran UP the DOWN escalator and jumped on the huge blow up castle. We had no plan, but we had a great time.




The best part was as we were paying for the brakes, the cashier told us if we used our Sear card it would be 10% off. WOW! for a brake job that started at $560 and went down to $300, I would say we had a good day.

Draper Family

I got the best e-mail today. My cousin Heather blogs too. Ya! Heather and I grown up in Nevada and were the best of friends until my family moved to California. We stayed friends for a long time but after we both went to College and got married we just lost touch. She lives in Utah with her husband and four boys. I am so glad to be able to read her blog and hopefully we can stay in touch better.

Huge Inspiration

This is my friend Mark. He is the Weblos leader at scouts. I am so glad I got to know him and his family. He has worked hard to get in shape. Just two months ago he had major surgery and look at him now. Back on his back and riding again. From my house to his is 6 mile and back another 6 back. He tell me stories of his 30+ mile bike rides. He is a huge inspiration. Good job Mark, Keep it up!

Working hard

After any days of rain we finally had a clear day. A friend invited us over to swim but first we needed to get some work done. Tyson trimmed the bushes and the kids put the trimmings in bags.

After the bushes were done they went over the "stick pile". Last summer we cut down two large trees that were infested with ants and other bugs. I asked the tree removers to leave a few branches to burn and they left a ton! Slowly we have burned them but we still had a huge pile in the grass. Tyson and the kids did a great job cleaning that up. It did not take them long and the yard looks so good. Now I just need to weed.....Again!