Back to School

So I am a few months late, but I did get pictures on the first day of school.

We only have 3 left in school and that won't last very long with Gage

being a junior this year.  Time sure flies by quickly.

Gage 11th grade w/Bryson (left) & Cameron (right)


Noah 7th grade

 
 Maddie 5th grade-my last one in elementary school

Cabin Fun

Another Summer has come & gone. We finally made it to the family cabin!  As usual we had an awesome time. Kenzie was able to come with us since she was on a break from school. Unfortunately Keaton was not feeling well so he stayed home.  We really missed having him there.  It was beautiful up there and the weather was great too.  We spent our time doing what we always do.....fishing, relaxing, hiking, eating, reading, sleeping, etc.  Noah, Mike, and I went on a hike that I've always wanted to try.  It was scary!  The hike was almost straight up and coming down we had to slide down a huge rock slide.  Maddie and Kenzie were the smart ones, staying at the bottom and just watching us.  Never again for that hike!   Despite the terrible hike, we caught a lot of fish and had a lot of fun!!!!!        

      

 Mike with the first catch of the trip

 Cool wildlife

 Mike and Noah at the top of the hike in the mouth of a cave

 The rock slide on the way down from the hike

 Maddie found a few treasures at the cabin.  Anyone want their hair done?

 Gage and his friend Carter Bean

 Noah + fish=happy boy

 Look at these 2 cute gals

 Awe Kenz!  She loves fishing!

 Mike and I went fishing in the early hours of the morning.  It was freezing, but we caught a lot of fish that morning.  Good times!

34,000 Miles!

This Summer we took a road trip.  Ok, it wasn't 34,000 miles, but it sure felt like it.  It was actually just over 3,400 miles that we covered from our home all the way to Nauvoo, Illinois, over to St. Louis, Missouri, Liberty, Missouri then home again.  We stopped in Great Bend, Kansas to visit Nana & Papa on their mission.  That was so much fun to see where they were serving.

We started by spending the first night in Grand Junction, Colorado.

From there, we spent 3 nights with my parents.  Gage did NOT want to go on the trip so this is his protest to getting his picture taken.

Elder & Sister Knudsen with the Elders in the area.

Mom, Dad & Kim

We celebrated my birthday by going to the zoo, out to lunch & to te water park.  A cute little 80 year old lady made this birthday cake for me.

Far West

Adam-ondi-Ahman

Carthage Jail

Noah points out the actual bullet hole.  No one bothered to repair it after all these years.

Carthage Jail in the background.

Having smoothies in Nauvoo to cool off from the 100+ degree weather, plus humidity.

This was about the only time Gage would smile for the pictures. He was happy to bring Maddie over to the "dark side" & get her to complain a little.

A view of the Nauvoo Temple from the old city of Nauvoo.

The burial place of Joseph, Hyrum & Emma.

  Mike, Noah, & Gage were able to do baptisms for the dead.  Mike & I did some sealings.  The Temple was amazing.

   

   We rode the cart to the top of the arch in St. Louis.  Pretty cool!

 

 Maddie loved the hotel across the street from the stadium where the St. Louis Cardinals play. 

 

Noah & Maddie step on the actual stone porch where Joseph Smith walked.  This was in front of the Joseph & Emma Smith home where Joseph rode off to Carthage from.

Of course we had to go to a Cardinals game.  It was only 107 degrees at the game.  Holy cow was it hot!

Hot dogs, chips, and a drink for everyone......only $45!!!!!

It was a little hot for Maddie & we had to find some shade.  We also spent a day at Six Flags St. Louis.  No pictures there, but it was 104 degrees.  Thank goodness they had a water park.  Good times for all!

Independence, Missouri visitors center.

Our last stop Liberty Jail!

We had an awesome trip!  Everyone (except me) wanted to get home in record time so we left from Great Bend, Kansas and drove all the way home in one straight shot.....15 hours.  Blah!!!