Home!  But we had to send Grandma Stanley back.  We are so very thankful for her willingness to come play with the other kids while we were able to go to Nauvoo with the youth. 

Now to try to catch up on sleep before I head out again for my ladies trip.

Back to normal summer living.  We decided to treat ourselves to some froyo while Daddy was at a meeting.

Cuties!

After play group Wednesday I headed out of town. Utah here I come!

I took one of my friends from Texas to meet some of my Washington girls.  We flew into Vegas and had to dive to St. George, so we got in late Wednesday.

Woke up bright and early and headed to Zion's National Park and hiked the Narrows.

So beautiful and amazing! 

After we got some much needed food some of us decided to hang around Zions and check out a few more things.  

It was 100% worth it.  The rain on top of the canyons was a wonderful gift from God and then a double rainbow.  The pictures don't even do any justice.  Such a beautify world we live in.  So many amazing things to explore

Oh and I found a few squirrel friends.  I wish I could have brought them home with me.  They were so cute and friendly.

The next day we hiked Kannara Falls.  Man another beautiful place! 

The only thing that was disappointing is that the hike was cut short for some reason we could go any further cause they took down the ladder to get past one of the waterfalls.  I wish we could have explored more but loved every minute we got to explore.

Jenny Slot Canyon and Overlook the last day together.

Then a few of us wanted to hike more.  I miss hiking and exploring SO very much so as much as I can get in the better.

We hiked to the top of the canyon right above where we were staying.  It was hot but a good hike!  So cool to see everything from up there.  The place we stayed was amazing, my friends in laws home.  Just gorgeous views and beautiful home.  Very blessed to be able to use their home.

Then we ate dinner on The D Canyon.

And watched the sun set.  What an amazing trip!  Full of amazing ladies and conversations.  Lots of laughter and joy.  And the beauty that surrounded us was breath taking.  I need to take my family to Zions!

Monday we got up before the sun and headed to Nauvoo with the youth in our church.  Clifton is old enough to join the youth this year.

First stop Independence, Missouri. Toured the temple site and visitor center.

Then headed to the hotel for the night. Next morning we stopped at Far West then Liberty Jail.

Wonderful stops.  The spirit was strong in Liberty and the reminder of how little my problems are.  Far West was pretty but LOTS of bugs! Then we finished our drive to Nauvoo!

First day in Nauvoo!  Exploring the historical sites and learning about how the Saints lived at this time.

A great and exhausting day!

The next day we went to Carthridge Jail which was such a wonderful and hard experience.  So much truth and spirit of knowing this was all done for us.  But also so much pain and hardship happened here.

After we had time to go explore more of Nauvoo's historic sites.

And then we got to go to the temple.  Great way to end the day of heart break from all the pain and sorrow Jospeh went through. We can live forever with our families and their is greater things to come after we leave this world.

That evening we walked the Trail of Hope.  The same trail the Saints walked as the were leaving everything they had for an unknown destination.

Another amazing experience.  We sure do love these youth and their sweet testimonies.

Last full day we started off with a devotional for us women in the Women's Garden.

Beautiful morning with these wonderful women.

We also got to do a translation experience together.  But sadly we lost some from our family.  One headed out with their real family early and another had gotten sick.

We ended the trip with a testimony meeting in front of the temple int he unexpected rain.

Now time to clean up and head home.

I love serving with the youth and feel so blessed to get time with them.  I am also SO blessed to be surrounded by amazing leaders as well.  It was a great trip and thanks to so many wonderful people that came and helped be apart of this.

After a 14 hour drive home, which wasn't nearly as horrible as I thought it was going to be, we made it back home.  Now to try and catch up on sleep!

Can't thank my mom enough for holding the fort down so Alex and I could help with this trip.