July 4th weekend

Beginning with the 2nd of July thru July 7th, We have had the pleasure of having Dale, Gina, Patrick, Taylor, Michaela and Dylan here with us. It was a real treat to see them again. We enjoyed the time we were able to spend with them. Dale had found a motor home that they could rent and so it made it very comfortable for them. I wish I could put up a picture but I can't get it to work. So I am just writing a note.



This is Satuday July 31. Dylan is getting Baptized today. They have promised pictures. We are looking forward to them. Our time in Nauvoo is coming to an end. We are looking forward to going back home, but we have mixed emotions about leaving Nauvoo. This has been a real pleasure to spend 18 months here.

This past week we have had the privledge of having Dixie, Darris, Bobi, Derik, Jamie, Reese, Erin, Tyler and Cooper here with us. Mike, Nancy and their friends Wendy & Phil were also here over the weekend. They Left on Tuesday Morning. The Page family are all leaving this morning. It was really nice to see family again. This picture was taken down by the Mississippi river. It was a beautiful evening. The kids got a big kick out of throwing rocks in the water. Grandpa is holding Cooper and Reese let me hold her long enough for the picture.

Prairie Fires

The Prairie fires were a real threat to the Saints. Each year here in Nauvoo they allow 1 acre of prairie grass to grow for a full year. Then around the end of March or the first of April, whenever the weather pemits they lite the prairie grass on fire to show just how quickly it will burn. It was just amazing how fast the 1 acre burned to the ground. We can realize how threatning it was to the Saints. If the wind would blow, there would be no way they could have out run the fire. It only took a few minutes and it was all burned to the ground. We snapped a few pictures and thought we would share them.

The teamsters has a BBQ earlier this year before the Summer season started. It was a really fun evening. We had our dinner and then sat around the fire singing songs and just relaxing. We all came away feeling really greatful for the opportunity to have a night off.

Just thought I would share with you a few more pictures. That is just one of many beautiful sunsets over the Mississippi that we have had the privledge of seeing. The trees is the fall had such brilliant colors I just had to get the camera and take a few shots. We are doing just great and really enjoying our Mission. It is hard to believe how fast the time is going. This past week Brother Hinckley, who is over the Missionaries was here for a visit. We had the opportunity to have a really good meeting with him. He spoke a lot about his father Gordon B. Hinckley and also his mother. Then I had the opportunity to go over to Land and Records and do some searching for he and his wife. When they came to visit at Land and Records, we were able to give them a disk with some of their ancesters on it. They were thrilled to get the information. It was a thrill to prepare it for them.

50th Wedding Aniversary

We have had a wonderful 50th anniversary. E/Leishman arranged for a buggy ride around Nauvoo and it was really fun. Brother Steve Campbell works for NRI and has been here for a lot of the restoration, he showed us some places that we have never seen. Then our cast had a party for us they had a cake made especially for our 50th anniversary, and so we had cake and Ice cream. One of the sisters had also made a special cake so that E/Leishman could enjoy some with us. It turned out really good and they really went the extra mile. We are so happy to be here. We miss all of you very much and will be happy to be back with you when that time comes. Love to all.

Hey, with Jamie's help I finally got this on. Now if I can just remember how, maybe you'll see some more.

Few Pics

Jamie Here. Grandma Leishman shared these pictures and so

 I thought I would post them for all to see.

Grandma wrote: One night when we were leaving for

Rendezvous, our neighbors asked us to take a picture

of them in front of the corn. They took a couple of us.

Can you believe ow tall it gets? They let it dry

until the stalks are really dry and then a

harvester goes through and picks the cobs off.

The deer are in our back yard.

Also, she shared this about Halloween.

They go all out for Halloween here. 

We hear it is as big or bigger celebration

than Christmas. We have a Pumpkin Walk

tonight. Elder Leishman has to walk with

the horses and I will be helping

to hand out the Pop Corn.

Hope we don't freeze.

Update!

This gives you an idea how large the horses are with Dad standing

next to them. They have 19 horses here that make up 9 teams. Spike

the odd one was donated to the mission. Each of them

have names. The team that pulls the carriage for the band is 

the oldest and most calm.

This Dad and Elder Hall. I have always thought

that oxen was a special breed, and was surprised to find

out that oxen are just steers. VERY LARGE STEERS.

I think that this picture of Dad riding his bike is kinda cute.

Because we both go in different directions most days we were able to get

a bike for $40. It is really a life saver sometimes. The barn is only about 

2 blocks from us and lately he has been assigned there 5 days a week. 

During the summer in Nauvoo there is a band that goes around Nauvoo

 playing on a carriage. It is really neat and Dad has been able to drive 

the carriage for the band some times.

This is me working in the Scovil Bakery. Lucius Scovil was the owner of 

the bakery and as the saints were getting ready to go west, his wife  

Lury was expecting a baby. She had the babies, twins. 

Ten days later the twins dies and then shortly after that Lury dies. 

They had already buried a 14 year old son. So now, Lucius

leaves for the west and in route there with the rest of his family, 

he was called on a mission to England. He left the rest of his family 

with  other family members and friends and left to go to England to 

serve his mission. I am just amazed at the strength of our early Saints, 

how they had the courage and faith to go on

after so many trials and tribulations. It is amazing to me how the 

Lord called just the right people to be here in Nauvoo 

when he did. The skills and craftsmen that

 were needed to build this city were all here.

This is a statue of Joseph and Hyrum on their horses Charlie and Sam. 

It represents Joseph and Hyrum as they were leaving Nauvoo 

to go to Carthage. It was there that Joseph turned and looked over 

this lovely city and said, "This is the loveliest place and

 the best people under the heavens; little do

they know the trials that await them."

We couldn't pass up the opportunity to take pictures of the tulips 

on the temple grounds. They were really pretty.