Day 4!!!!

Rapid City South Dakota to Omaha Nebraska

(Via the Badlands)

So to break up the long drive across South Dakota we decided to take a detour through the Badlands and we are so glad we did! It was amazing! Another must see if you find yourself in the middle of the USA...

Prairie dogs!!!!

Here is a great picture of what the Badlands is all about. Beautiful wind blown cliffs and miles and miles of grassland, and the occasional buffalo or prairie dog. Emma going double binkie during the drive.

Day 5!!!!

Omaha Nebraska to Keokuk Iowa

(Via Missouri)

Our first stop was Independence Missouri. We stopped at the visitor's center and had a great time at the kid section. Best visitor's center ever!

We also saw the Community of Christ "Spiral Temple" across the street and the old temple lot across the corner from the visitor's center.

We then headed north to Liberty and saw the Libert Jail. The jail is now housed in a really cool visitor's center. They take you down next to the jail and play some quotes. It was a very spiritual place.

We then headed further north to Far West and the temple site with corner stones still in place.

We then went further north to Adam-Ondi-Ahman. This is by far my must see of the trip. It was absolutely beautiful.

Looking down into the valley.

Leisha might kill me for this picture but I think she looks as beautiful as the valley.

Emma of course was very reverent...

Day 6!!!!

Nauvoo Illinois

(all day...)

We started the day at Carthage Jail.

Emma at the window the Prophet Joseph fell from.

Emma was running around the room (and the sister missionary) and sitting in the fireplace. Looking at the window Joseph was shot through, through the bullet hole in the door that killed Hyrum. We then headed to Nauvoo and decided to let Emma (and Leisha...) run around in front of the temple.

These are at the visitor's center and the statue garden. Emma liked playing on the statues.

I like this picture of Emma and Leisha.

After dinner we drove back to Nauvoo for some sunset and nighttime pictures. This one is along the Mississippi River.

This is the statue of Joseph and Hyrum in front of the temple.

The Nauvoo Temple at night.

Keep going for day 7!!!

Day 7!!!!

Keokuk Iowa to Maumee Ohio

(via nothing special!)

Emma chilling out in the hotel in Keokuk before we took off. She looks pretty comfy!

It also happened to be Leisha's birthday. Oddly enough it was also the most boring day. We just drove and had no big stops. I am not sure if that was a good or bad thing, the day was sure pretty laid back!

Anyhow, I thought I would throw up some old pictures of Leisha to show how much I love her (or how stupid I am to put up pictures of her!).

At a Mariners game.

After the dye job! My French beauty! Keep going for day 8!!

Day 8!!!!

Maumee Ohio to Geneva New York!!!!

(with a stop in Kirtland Ohio)

We think Emma doesn't like the sun while she is in the car...

We made a stop in Kirtland and walked around the historic "village" owned by the church. This is the Whitney Store where many revelations were given to Joseph Smith.

Emma of course was very reverent...

We hit the magic 100,000 mile mark! It has taken us 5 years, but we did it and we have another trip across the country next spring!

Well we are finally home and you are finally done reading this long set of posts!

Chlarson Reunion 2009!

Yesterday was the Chlarson reunion. We had it at the aquatic center in Moses this year. Here are a couple of pictures of the fun.

Tom my brother in law...I told him I was going to post this picture so that's what I did.

Daddy and Emma

My Aunt Barbie and my Grammies sister Jane surprised the family by showing up on Friday!

One more crazy Chlarson reunion over with...now looking forward to next year.

Ichiro!!!!

July 10th Richard, Bradley and I went to the Mariners game in the Key Bank Suite. Can I say it was Sweeeeet! The suite was filled with food so we had dinner there. It was nice being in a private box with nobody but people you know around you. I don't think I'll ever go to a game again without being in one of those. It ruined me!

I love Ichiro!

Oh Bradley!

Nothing better then ice cream in a mini Mariners hat.

They played the Rangers and lost, but we still had a blast.

Grayson basin bo basin...

July 8th my brother Landon and his wife Holli went to a Mariners game, so they left their little boy Grayson with my Mom. Emma and I went over for the day so we could play with Grayson. He is such a cute little guy! Busy but oh so cute!

What a smile!

We love you Grayson! Thanks for playing with Auntie Leisha and Emma!

One year olds!

Oh Grandpa!

Their is one thing that Emma knows, and that is she has Grandpa wrapped around her finger. The other day Grandpa took Emma for a walk and this is what I found...

Emma was having a blast with Grandpa on the four wheeler. They even stopped for some refreshing Cherries..

Emma playing peek-a-boo!