What a fun month!! We started July with our long-awaited 2 week road trip that took us through Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illiois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and back home to Utah. It was even more fun than we thought it would be, and we saw some really fun things along the way, including 2 presidential libraries (or the outside of them anyway). Here are some of the highlights:
NAUVOO, IL - We had a Finch family reunion and had a great 3 days touring around Nauvoo, going to the Nauvoo pageant and other shows, going to the temple for Alex's endowment before he heads off to Brazil for his mission and also doing baptisms and sealings for some of our ancestors there, and doing a 3 mile handcart trek in the rain - quite an adventure! Most of all, we had a great time being together with family.
WINTER QUARTERS, NEBRASKA - We all learned a lot at the Visitors Center and Pioneer Cemetary here and were very touched and humbled by what we learned. We have it so good. We also got to see the Winters Quarters temple, which was beautiful.
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA - We spent 2 full days here and loved all the fun things we got to do, like Alpine sliding, horseback riding, a cowboy show and driving through Bear Country. The highlight was visiting Mt. Rushmore - it is amazing! - and attending the patriotic lighting ceremony at night.
We also stopped at Martin's Cove and saw Independence Rock and Devil's Gate on the way home through Wyoming. Pretty inspiring!!
The other highlight of the month was Devin turning 12 and being ordained to the Aaronic priesthood. He is excited to be a Deacon!
