I Love Being With Family!

So Ben and I were so lucky to have family come visit us out here in Missouri last week! My Mom, Dad, my sister Jess and her hubby Matt, my brother Jared, and his friend Lucas all came out! It was wonderful to see them all and spend time with them. I miss being near them so much. We can't wait to at least be a little bit closer to them in a few months when we move to Utah. Poor Ben, he had to study most of the time they were here, but he is a trooper and made time to go to the Nauvoo temple with us and play games with us throughout the week. It was not very nice spring weather for my family; in fact it got down to about 30 degrees one day! Great March and April weather eh? We made the best of it and had a blast though. We went to Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Jamesport (an Amish community), spent a day in the Nauvoo temple, spent another day touring old historic Nauvoo and Carthage Jail, and spent a couple of days around Kirksville enjoying each others' company. Jared was able to do baptisms for the dead with me and I got to go through a session with him and the fam (It was such a neat experience since I wasn't there when Jared went through for the first time). It was great to see my awesome little brother performing the ordinances of the Priesthood and to be able to participate with him. That was the last time I will see Jared before he leaves on his mission to Argentina, Buenos Aires North Mission for two years! It was a difficult parting. I will miss you bud! Unfortunately, we had quite a few of the group get sick while they were here, but we took care of it the best we could. Jess has a cute little pregnant belly now and it was so fun to see how adorable she is pregnant! Thank you so much for coming to visit us you guys! We love you and we love all of you reading this! The pics are in reverse chronilogical order, ooops!

The girls went to get pedicures while the guys browsed at a motorcycle shop! We all chose fun bright colors! It was so nice to have my Mom and sister to do girly things with! No worries, us girls joined the boys at another motorcycle shop because let's be honest, we love that stuff too!
Jared with the statue of Joseph Smith Jr. and Hyrum Smith at Carthage Jail.
What a fun guy!
The clan inside the jail.
The fam taking an oxen ride in Nauvoo.
Photo op with the massive oxen.
Jess and Matt. Hold on tight to the ox Matt!
Mom and Dad with the chill little guy.
View of the temple of the Trail of Hope, the trail leading away from Nauvoo that the Pioneers took before they left their city.
Beautiful Nauvoo Temple at night. We ventured into the freezing cold to get these shots.

Jared and Mom in front of the temple after our session. What a good lookin' future missionary!

Below: The clan at Adam-Odni-Ahman: Mom, Jared, Dad, and Matt
Jared found this little bugger on our hike down into the valley at Adam-Ondi-Ahman.
Jamesport, the Amish community.