I can't believe this vacation is over and how much we did. We logged about 2,000 miles on our 12-passenger van (hey, luggage for 8 people takes up a lot of space, especially when one of those people is a Max) in 8 days. And I'm pretty sure we saw every historical marker, grave site, and tourist attraction Independence area and Nauvoo have to offer. Here are some highlights--
Day 1: Liberty Jail--after we all arrived, our first stop was Liberty Jail. The presentations and tours were wonderful and we got our first glimpse of what this trip would be like with Max. We each took a turn running around outside and walking up and down and up and down and up and down the steps with him while the others did part of the tour. Tony took most of this shift since he claims he has seen Liberty Jail dozens of times. I didn't know that there was a building actually built around the jail to preserve the original structure. And I loved learning all the little details and interesting stories that surrounded each circumstance. Seeing the tiny, dark, cold place that the prophet was kept for about four months added so much to the importance and relevance of the revelations received here. Afterwards Tony took us through the back roads of Missouri. We saw the graves of David Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery, Hiram Page, Martin Harris, and many other people. After all that driving and looking we refreshed ourselves with some authentic Missourian BBQ! YUMMY! While we were there we saw a member who invited us over to play pool after we were done eating. I don't remember what the game all the boys played was called, but I do remember that my husband was the champion! I am such a proud wife.
Day 2: Independence Visitor's Center--The Visitor's Center in Independence is the only one not by a temple. Kind of cool. We took lots of tours and learned about the history of Indepence. Max, again, spent a lot of time running around outside. I think all the Sisters there want to date Tony when they come home. When the rest of us were ready to leave they just kept talking and talking and talking to him. Those silly Sisters! We did a walking tour of Independence and saw a lot of parking lots that used to be something. We ended the night with some pizza in our hotel room, watching the Suns lose to the Spurs. It's official--our brackets really stunk this year.
Day 3: Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum--While the rest of the family drove to Wichita to take our missionary-neighbor to lunch, Blake, Max, and I decided to go to the Harry S. Truman museum. WOW! You could spend forever in that place. And there was a park right across the street and Wendy's was within walking distance, so Max was in heaven as well. They even have a 45-minute movie about Harry that Max and I watched (slept through) 3 times. We now know everything there is to know about our 33rd President.
Day 4: Far West, Adam-ondi-Ahman, and Haun's Mill--After going to church in Excelsior Springs and having Tony called out of the congregation to bear his testimony, we finished the Missouri highlights. Even though there weren't any buildings at these places we could really feel a special spirit. I would love it, though, if they built a representation of Haun's Mill. In some of the stuff Tony had left out there, we found a football, so all that open area was much appreciated. Even Max participated in the scrimages. After all that touring we had to say goodbye to Blake. Man, it stinks to have to go to work.
Day 5: Carthage Jail--After our 5 hour drive up to Illinois and some Baby Einstein in the car, we decided to first stop in Carthage before going to Nauvoo. Amazing. I can't believe the original door, with the original bullet hole is still there. I could tell this was a special place because Max was so good as we went through the jail. He sat quiet the entire (almost) time. It's amazing how the spirit can touch everyone. After the jail, we drove to Nauvoo, ate a tastey family-style dinner, and swam in the pool. Max slept very soundly that night!
Day 6: Nauvoo--WOW! We had no idea we could spend an entire week just in Nauvoo. We started out in the Visitor's Center, looking at the exhibits, and watching some short movies. Then we took a carriage ride, then a wagon ride learning about the people and place of Nauvoo. And, geez, where from there? The bakery. The family living center, where we learned to make cloth, bread, candles, rugs, ropes (I got to keep the rope we made--I played an integral part in the process!), and barrels. Pioneer games, where we could have spent an entire day. The gun shop. The brick yard. And of course, the beautiful temple. That night we went to a musical performed by the couple missionaries in Nauvoo. I loved it. I just kept thinking of my dad or Blake, standing up there in the men's kick line. I really hope Blake and I go to Nauvoo on a mission. I would love to be in the musical, and I would LOVE to watch Blake in the musical.
Day 7: Kansas City Royals Baseball Game--After hitting some gift shops, we hit the the road back to Missouri to catch the Kansas City vs. Cleveland baseball game. The stadium was so much fun (but not as much fun as PacBell, or SBC, or AT&T or whatever the name of the park is now). There was even a little park for Max to play at. So, he spent most of the game down there. The first few innings were very exciting--lots of homeruns and scoring. The Royals won and the game was a perfect ending to our vacation.
Everyone came home still friends, chigger and tic-less, and very sleepy, so the trip must have been a success! Thank you family for an unforgettable week! We love you!
What a perfectly beautiful and just plain old perfect San Francisco weekend. After Blake picked us up from the airport Saturday night he surprised us by taking us to dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory. We 
love this place, and since the closest one is in Concord, we don't get to go very often. Max did such a good job eating his macaroni all by himself with his fork. But he got a little frustrated when the spumoni came. So he invented his own utensil which seemed to work much better. Dip the passy in the ice cream, take a lick, and repeat. We thought it was pretty funny. 
On Monday we decided to go down and explore around the Ferry Building. During our 4 1/2 years living year, I've only been down there once for a work meeting/dinner. It was the perfect place to be on a holiday--not as crowded as the Wharf, but still right on the water with a lot to see and do. Our first stop was Justin Herman Plaza. They have a modern art fountain that has stepping stones around the edges that you can walk on. Max was in heaven, and I was so 
happy Blake was there so he could be the one to jump in the water in case Max fell in. We played here for so long and even found some pigeons lurking around the water. Water AND pigeons! This really was Max's heaven. After Blake was done chasing Max we went down by the water to look at all the boats, then walked through the Ferry Building to find something to eat. We decided on Vietnamese food at the Slanted Door. Since the wait for a table was over an hour and we had a hungry little guy, we got our food to go and sat across the street at a scenic out door table to eat our lunch. Blake's imperial rolls 
won first place in the taste-test competition, and Max's corn dogs from the little diner next to the Slanted Door came in a close second. My beef salad was a bomb. After our expedition we all came home and took a nap. Here are some other of my favorite pictures from the day. Happy Memorial Day!
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