We had a fun & amazing trip!!! After 14 states, 4,400 miles & 9 nights in a hotel we were sooo glad to see the Texas sign!! Home Sweet Texas Home!!!!!

Day 8 ~ St Louis Arch

Today we woke up and went to the St Louis Arch. We had hopes of going to the top, but apparently they only let so many people go up at once so tickets sell out fast. We got there right when they opened but even then the tour times left were 4:15. We knew that we needed to be driving by then so we just walked around and took some pictures. It's still pretty awesome to see from the outside.

It's right next to the Mississippi River so we took some pictures in front of that too......

On our way out of town we stopped to look at the St Louis temple. It's right off the interstate and it seemed huge compared to the others we've seen this week. it was really pretty!!!!



Then we started the long dreaded trip home!!! At this point I just want to be home, We have now officially seen and done everything on our list and I'm really tired of hotel rooms!!! The boys and I miss Randy a ton!!!! So I just want to be home, But we have 12 more hours of driving so we stopped in Oklahoma City. I'm grateful for this fun trip, I hope we made a lot of lasting memories but I can't wait to be back to my "Home sweet Texas Home"!!!!!!!!!

Day 7 ~ driving....ugh!!!

Since we have to get back to real life on Monday we had to do a little bit of driving today. Not my favorite thing to do but what can you do when you have over 1000 miles to get home??

We woke up in Columbus Ohio & drove to St. Louis Missouri. We passed through Indiana & Illinois.

Before we left Columbus we stopped at Ohio State...apparently they have a really "sick" stadium we had to look at. It would seem we could just drive across the country and look at every sport stadium and everyone would be happy.


Of course no trip would be complete if we didn't stop at a outlet mall somewhere. We found this one in Jeffersonville Ohio, and it was a really good one!!! We (and when I say we I mean I) went to all our favorites.... Coach, White house Black Market, and the boys favorite Nike. I could have stayed longer but we had to hit the road. So we had a subway sandwich and off we went.
We made a few "pit stops".....Did I mention how glad I am that Ryan has been able to help me drive?? Let me also mention how I love the little thing called "GPS" best invention ever!!!!

Day 6~ Palmyra New York & Sacred Grove

Today we arrived in Palmyra, when we first got there we went to the Hill Cumorah.

While in the visitors center they had a display of all the Book of Mormon's in all the different languages. I told the boys to the hold up the one where they thought they would go on their mission too......

Then we walked up to the top of the Hill. We were the only ones there so it's was awesome to think of all that has transpired here.

Next Stop...... The temple!!!

Then we headed over to see Joseph Smith's Homes & The sacred grove.
I Loved the view of the temple through the trees!!!

Finally we were able to go to the Sacred Grove! It has been a longtime dream to be able to walk through there. I Loved it!!! I wish we could of stayed longer especially since we were the only ones there, definatly a very peaceful feeling. I'm glad I could take the boys here!!! This was my favorite stop so far!!




Then we headed downtown to where they printed the first Book of Mormon's.
Since we were so close we decided to head to Kirtland and see the Temple there. When we got there it was dark and already closed. So we took a picture as we drove by.

Off to Columbus Ohio.........

Day 5 ~ And day 2 of the NYC By Ryan J. Russell

So we started day 2 of New York City by going to the Manhattan temple! We did a few family names and some other names with people we didn't even know! It was kinda awkward! But after it was all said and done we went up to the 3rd floor to change! The church building is part of the temple! It was so cool! I wish I went there for church!

After we changed we came down and decided to FINALLY get our NYC hot dog! Let me just say I don't think i'll eat a hot dog ever again unless its an NYC hot dog! Not only hot dogs but also the pizza! Brooklyn style pizza! Nothings better!

The statue of liberty was really nice! You can a good shot of the city! As you can see they are building the new WTC! I cant wait to see what the new WTC when its done! But the Statue of Liberty was nice we got to go up but not up to the crown! But still we had to walk 156 steps to get up there! It was brutal! It was a great experience! After we saw Lady Liberty we hit up time square again! I love time square even though it's busy and hectic, its amazing! They have a lot of amazing stores and shows there! I even saw where they hold the NFL draft! It was sick!