Saturday morning we went to the Liberty Jail. It was fun to meet the sisters who work with Brad's parents and to see what they do on their mission. One of the sister missionaries took us on the tour of the jail. She only had two weeks left on her mission. We enjoyed her testimony. She said that the Liberty Jail is called the Temple Jail because Joseph received many revelations while he was there.
We got in our cars and listened to General Conference as we drove to Adam-ondi-Ahman. We made a quick stop at this memorial which lists one of my ancestors, Parley P. Pratt.
It was great to be able to listen to conference while we drove. Aleah and Cade quickly found their walking sticks.
They say that this is the type of tree has thorns that are similar to the ones that could have been used to make the crown that was placed on the head of Jesus.
Aleah's and Cade's cousin Bryton found this really cool tree. Aleah and Cade loved it and had a fun time playing in it.
We had another picnic. Brad's brother had some Oreo cookies that he shared with us after lunch. Aleah and Cade said, "Yumm, I love Mario cookies!"
Aleah and Cade loved taking pictures of things with their cameras. I need to download their pictures, they both got some really good ones.
Cade wouldn't get in the family picture a few times until after he took one with his camera. I love watching them take pictures and then tell me about the things that they were able to capture!
There were a bunch a big hawks, I think that's what they were, flying around. As we were driving one got so close to our car that I thought it was going to hit our windshield!
Aleah and Cade a such a great time with their cousins. I loved seeing Aleah hiking with Katie.
Brad's Mom prepared information and scriptures for us and did a little presentation while we were there. We all learned some neat things and were able to feel the spirit. It was fun to be there and think of the things that happened there and what will happen there in the future!
All the guys standing on Preachers Rock.
Brad's brother stood on Preachers Rock and we all spread out around the field. It was amazing to see how far we could be from him and still be able to perfectly hear him talking normally.
We played hid-and-seek. Can you find Brad?
This is what is left of the home that some of Brad's (Barlow) ancestors lived in for a time while the saints lived there.
We listened to the afternoon General Conference session as we drove back to Independence. Then we went to dinner and Cade cried because, "I don't like this place!" even though he had never been there before. Then he said, "I just want go to the restaurant we went last time!" Haha, he wanted to go back to Golden Coral!
Of course, we had to end our day with some more swimming!
Cade was playing on the stairs and his hand slipped off of the railing. He went under the water and then was able to make his way back to the railing all on his own. I got this picture right as he grabbed the railing and came out of the water. I was very proud of him! I guess he must have learned something at his swimming lesson.
Aleah and Cade are getting very comfortable going under the water. They both asked Brad to let them go under!
Aleah loves practicing her bobs now and is having fun going under the water and looking around.
Cade asked me to take a picture of him when he was in the air. I think that it is cute that he looked right over at me each time. Then he would hurry over to the side, climb out, and want to see the picture.
We had such a fun sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa Godfrey's! Aleah and Cade loved watching cartoons with Grandpa in the morning.
Sunday morning we went to the Independence Visitors Center and had the tour before General Conference started.
Cute Aleah got out her notebook during the tour and took some notes.
We watched the morning session of General Conference at the Visitors Center with all the missionaries. Aleah and Cade did good for an hour coloring and doing other quiet activities. They spent the last hour in the little pioneer playroom. They were so cute! They would take turns taking the horse and wagon to get carrots and apples. They would cook in the little house. I only heard a little bit of what they were doing because I was watching conference, but it was fun to listen to them play!
We enjoyed a wonderful meal and then watched the afternoon session at Brad's parents' apartment. Brad and Cade enjoyed a little nap!
Brad's parents had to go back to work at the Visitors Center that evening. So we decided to take a walk to the park. We got about three blocks and then it started raining. It rained and rained! It was a beautiful thunder and lightening storm! We had a great time watching all the lightening. I really miss the beautiful lightening storms of the midwest and so it was fun to have one on our last night there. As Brad and I were watching the storm and waiting for his parents to get home the lightening got super close to us. One struck right outside our window. It was kind of scary, ok, it totally scared me! Aleah and Cade just kept on sleeping.
On the way to the airport I started asking Aleah and Cade some questions to see if they learned anything from our trip. I was amazed at how much they learned and remembered. Cade said, "But why they put Joseph in a cage?" and before I could say anything Aleah said, "It was a jail Cade. They put him in two different ones. First the Liberty Jail and then... what's the name Mom?" I said, "Carthage Jail." Aleah said, "Yeah, the Carthage Jail. But he got out of the Liberty Jail. Why those bad guys shoot him?" Which is the same question that she has been asking since our visit to Carthage Jail. I loved listening to Aleah try to explain things to Cade!
We had a good flight home, not as good of seats, but it was still a fun flight.
When we landed it was raining. When we got in our car Aleah said, "Windshield it Dad!" We all laughed at that one!
