Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Nauvoo

Carthage Illinois - Carthage Jail (original building)
 It was raining cats and dogs that day.

 Summer kitchen added on later.
 Keeping the children from touching things proved difficult.


 Room Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were kept in at first.
 Room the jailor allowed them to stay in when officials weren't around.
 Window Joseph was shot through, before falling two stories down.


A special feeling about being in that room.
 John Taylors was shot 4 times and Willard Richards was left unscathed according to prophesy.
 Bullet holes in the door that killed Hyrum Smith.
 Heading into Nauvoo Illinois.
The frozen Mississippi River was so impressive.
 Nauvoo visitors center.

 This statue was impressive.

 Beginning our cold hour long wagon ride.


 This temple is so beautiful in person.

 Learning how to make rope.

 At the Blacksmith's where I told her she'd get a ring, when we got their she said this doesn't look like a ring store.

She's showing off her ring and tiny horseshoe the blacksmith gave her.




 Our family Nauvoo brick.
 John Browning home holding many orginal designed guns.

 My favorite tour guide he was so patient with our wild kids.
 Trail of Hope leading towards Mississippi River.
 Mary Field Garner is my great great grandmother.
 She was believed to be the last living person to have personally known Joseph Smith.

 He father William Field's home still stands in Old Nauvoo.
Joseph Smith memorial.  The wind off the Mississippi was so COLD.

It was such a wonderful experience we loved being surrounded by friends and eating good food and playing "laugh so hard everyone's crying" games late at night.  We all rented a house and were a quick drive away from Old Nauvoo.  It was fun to watch Maddie participate and learned the trades and daily duties of that time.  It was so cold I kept thinking this is really what it was like for those poor pioneers absolutely freezing.  It was beautiful and impressive and we can't wait to go again someday when its warm.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Everyone a baby


 
 
 Can you see who looks like who?  I got baby pictures out the other day for my inlaws and have been laughing about the similarities since.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Heslop Family 2013 Newsletter


Heslop Family 2013 Newsletter

I’ve never done a newsletter before, but I’ve never lived so far away either so I decided maybe this would be the best way to catch everyone up.

Jon (29)- Visited Texas and Missouri campuses, competed in a strongman contest,  graduated from CBC, worked his last farm season, drove a Penske truck 3,000 miles with Maddie as passenger, rented a townhome in Ballwin, started chiropractic college at Logan University, called as cub scout leader, attended local Danish community Christmas party, loves Missouri barbeque.

Julee (26)- Finished cosmetology program, passed state cosmetology boards, had a baby two weeks later named him Dane, ran a 5k color run with sisters, had the best summer ever besides being not being able to do a few activities with a nursing baby, growing to love Missouri, making friends at parks and play groups, cutting hair in my kitchen, eager for Kindergarten next year.

Madelyn (5)- Spent some time at Grandma’s and Aunt Wendy’s while mom finished cosmetology school, loves being a big sister, likes to carry Dane around, loves getting out of the house, easily makes friends wherever she goes, is an artist, dancer, a self teacher, loves Andrea Gentry Belnap’s girls, says the funniest things, loves to be “adjusted”.

Dane (8 mo.)- Was born April 26th, nicknamed the “worrier” by hospital nurses, grew into a strong stout baby, has 3 teeth and 3 more coming, likes power strips cords remotes laptops and doorstops, eats ANYthing our little roomba, crawled by 6 months, likes to growl, likes to stare/glare at new people, loves his MOM and sister and dad.
We couldn’t have had a better year without all our family and friends.  We appreciate all who helped us along this journey.  We are excited to see what 2014 brings!

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Christmas 2013

Maddie left oreos and milk for Santa this year because mom was all baked out!
The scene is set and mom slid in bed at 1:30am mostly because she was working on lining up Jon's gift.
This year all Maddie asked Santa for was a purple bike, she said its what I always wanted.  Then asked if it made bubbles.....(crickets chirping)
 
Thanks Wintertons!  Ponies and playdough was a hit.
 
 
Jon has been sleeping with his new BYU throw blanket ever since :)
 
 
                                      
Jon's first real phone that has text data and talk, hes a big boy now!  Switching to Walmart plan to save $$$.
 
                           Dane's second John Deer tractor block style.

                                         Thanks grandpa Vance and Nancy!
 
 

 
                           Thriftshop steal....actually most of Jon's presents.  Tagged popped.
 
 
 Take notice of all of the many faces of Dane, hilarious.  He could not figure out why my camera was flashing so bright since I got a new point and shoot camera.
 
 
                          
                                     
 Every face absolute bliss, she was sad that I said Christmas was over and threatened to take back the present her and Dad got me.
 
 More presents  from grandparents.  Hooray for grandparents.
 
 There it is the grouchy face.
 The only toy Dane consistently plays with, hallelujah.
 Jon and Maddie's present to me, which turned out great since I didn't buy perfume this year.  Its yummy!
Presents for myself.
 Another face.
Jon opening my REAL present to him, he'd been saving birthday money and Christmas money for his own chiropractor bed.  Someone we knew was selling a used one for a very good price for the kind of bed Jon wanted.  He had told the guy he'd probably have the money by Christmas but hadn't cashed any of the checks so he didn't have the money.  Well I had some money saved that Jon didn't know about so I rolled up some cash and stashed it away at the bottom of his stocking.  I kept making him search it.  When he pulled it out we both started crying.  He was able to pick his table a few hours later.  It was a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Impromptu photobooth :)
 
Christmas Eve we spent at our friends the Belnaps house.  We had some delicious sandwiches and finger foods.  We had a sort of picnic on a quilt in the front room and watched the LDS channel's Nativity.  At the end of the night we all opened our presents from each other. This is what Andrea made me...
Awesome, I love having crafty friends there presents are always the greatest.