Indianapolis Temple Open House

We are so privileged to have a new temple in Indiana. The Indianapolis temple had its open house this summer.  We were able to attend the open house with many of Nate's family. The temple is beautiful inside. It was fun for the kids to go inside and see what it looks like in there. They particularly liked the baptismal font with the 12 oxen. We had to wear plastic disposable booties so we would not soil the new carpet with our street shoes. Dawson was very hesitant to wear them but when the volunteer boy suggested that they were space boots then he agreed to put them on. We enjoyed being together as a family at the temple. What a beautiful symbol of our testimonies.

Grandpa Hutchinson's visit

Grandpa Hutchinson had more work in Fort Wayne!  So he came out to stay with us for a whole 2 weeks!  His work was an hour commute, but for him it was worth it to stay with us, which we thoroughly enjoyed!  He got to spend time with each of the kids individually.  Dawson, he took to ice cream.  Cooper, he took hiking and on walks with Bella.  Jaxton, he took on a scouts hike and then on a trip to get "lost" and use the GPS to find their way home.  They got all the way into Ohio, which was super fun for Jax!  

We went to a Tin Caps Baseball game with Grandpa too.  That was memorable and lots of fun!  We love you grandpa and can't wait for your next "work trip!"

Summertime

Summertime is always so exciting when it comes.  School's out and all the fun begins.  We had to work in mommy's work schedule, and some minor "schoolwork" for the kids as well as chores.  But then of course there is time for play and going places.  We loved going to science central.  We also enjoyed Matea Park beach where the kids could swim  and play in the sand.  We spent time at the library, which the kids love, especially the downtown library.  We had playdates and friends over a lot.  We read books together, and watched movies together.  We went swimming a lot at the YMCA both outdoors and indoors.  We also took some fun bike rides around.  That was so much fun!  We also spent a lot of time outside at home, riding bikes on our long driveway and playing in our blow up pool.  It has been a fun fun summer!

Nauvoo Pageant

We went on a quick trip to Nauvoo with our family and Jared.  We'd never been before, so it was pretty fun.  We were late in booking a place to stay, so the only vacation rental available pretty much was a mile or so away from downtown Nauvoo right on the  Mississippi River.  When we got there, we could not believe this little gem.  It looked just like a storybook house from Snow White.  The inside had been all remodeled and was so neat.  The walls, doors, and windows inside and out looked like they were from a storybook. Even the bathroom was so quaint and fun that we couldn't help but have to try out the old fashioned bathtub.  It was too big for our group and we wished we could spend more time there.  But now we know, and next time we can book that same little house.

Before the Nauvoo pageant they had a fair.  They had all kinds of fun pioneer games for the kids and activities from the time the pioneers were in Nauvoo.  The kids enjoyed that.  Nate and I got to pull all the 4 big kids in a real handcart, just as our Martin Handcart company ancestors had done.  That was a neat experience.  

When the pageant finally began, everyone was pretty exhausted.  Jaxton was getting mosquito bites all over his body.  And the other 4 kids all fell asleep during the pageant.  Nonetheless, it was a fun experience.  I'm glad we got to go.  It would be really neat to be in the pageant someday and join the family cast.  

The next morning we visited the Nauvoo temple before heading home.  It was beautiful!