The Best of Chicago

Chicago is a beautiful city. Thank you Jeff and Cristal for letting us join your trip.

Beautiful Nauvoo

Remember the excitement of wanting to serve a mission in Nauvoo. There is always something special about visiting Nauvoo and area.

Each time gets better to feel the spirit and touch the heart.
We traveled to Nauvoo with our dear friends, Arlene and Bryant Davis

and visited other dear friends, Helen and Richard Wells

(they are serving a mission at the Nauvoo Temple)

Kansas City was our first stop, rented a car and drove to St. Louis. The baseball game experience was a restful delight on a beutiful evening. We stayed the first night in St. Louis and rode the metro to the game.

The next day as we traveled , we visited Springfield,Illinois the home of Abraham and Mary Lincoln. It was a lovely memorial park and well worth the visit.

Another stop was Hannibal, Missouri the boyhood home of Mark Twain, the author of the great stories of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. To feel the excitement and magic of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn and Becky Thatcher, we explored the cave, walked the historic downtown, and viewed the magnificent Mississippi river.After making many circles in Quincy Illinois and having some good laughs, we found a nice Italian dinner. We stayed in Keokuk, Iowa for the next 3 nights. The important sight to see in Carthage is the old Carthage Jail. Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, while under protection of Governor Ford were shot and killed. John Taylor was wounded , but Willard Richars was unhurt. The day after the murder Richards took the bodies back to Nauvoo for burial.

We spent three days in beautiful Nauvoo. We saw several performances, had a peaceful experience at the temple, and had pizza and pie at the Wells home.

Everyday we watched delightful entertainment: Sunset On The Mississippi, High Hopes and River Boats, Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo, Just Plain Anna-Amanda. We attended the beautiful Nauvoo Temple and the Nauvoo First Ward. The tour of Old Nauvoo began at the Visitor's Center, then continued to restored homes, the Mansion House, the cemetary with the graves of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, wagon rides, walking the spiritual Trail of Hopes and the old temple stone quarry. We ate at Grandpa John's, Nauvoo Hotel famous Buffet and Magleby's Fresh

One of our favorite places to visit was peaceful, tranquil Adam-ondi-Ahman. It is unlike any other place, especially knowing, understanding and feeling the spirit of the eternal plan.

Far West, Liberty Jail, Independance Visitor Center and the temple lot all had special meaning knowing that the restoration of the Church transpired in these locations.

We finished the sights in Independance visiting the Truman Library, Frontier Trails Museum and Chicago Train Depot. Our final lunch was in a unique place called Trolly Inn and it was a trolly with a great lunch.


Another great trip, the weather perfect, the crowds pleasant, our travel companions delightful. We return home with renewed gratitude for the Restoration of the Gospel, Joseph, Emma and Hyrum Smith, The Book of Mormon, The temple and the faith of the all the Saints (and missionary work.)

Memorial Day Weekend

We enjoyed a beautiful day at the cemetary in American Fork.

Grandpa and Grandma Rex and Uncle Brent were remembered for the legacy they left us. While we were there we remembered our other ancestors that have given us life, the gospel and important values. We also visited the cemetary in Randolph to honor grandparents and other relatives.

Our annual Memorial Day cleanup at the cabin was a great success. It was a cool stormy weekend, so we spent all the time working and no play. It was worth it. The cabin and yard looked wonderful. This year we stuccoed the foundation, put in cement stairs, cleaned up LOTS of wood and junk plus all the inside cleaning jobs. We were all exhausted, that's a good feeling.

We had surprise turkeys visit us, I think this one will be Thanksgiving dinner:)

May Celebrations

We had a fun May dinner to celebrate May events:

Mother's Day

Birthdays: Brandon, Morgan, Greg, Grandpa, Austin

Anniversary: Spencer and Jenny

Graduation: Austin

Our small home served dinner to 28 and our small yard entertained all ages.

Nothing is better than to have our family together.

We only wish Natalie and family were closer, but we do look forward to their visit in a few weeks.

We are very blessed.

Indiana Jones Party

May 8, 2010

Morgan and Greg shared their birthday again to the theme of Indiana Jones. It was a fabulous party and more to come about this party

Princess Jacqualine Rex Robbins

Saturday, May 1, 2010
Jax arrived at the Salt Lake Airport from Missouri. She was born March 2, 2010 and joined her master, Greg at eight weeks old. Happy Day, she was better than Greg had expected.


















Grandpa and Grandma welcomed her with a CAR SEAT. She loves it and loves going everywhere with Greg.



















Jax made her first road trip to the Erickson home for Morgan and Greg's Indiana Jones Birthday Party. The road trip continued on to the Sunday May Celebrations at Grandma and Grandpas. She was a good traveler and super entertainment for the grandchildren. Dad and daughter were tired at the end of the successful weekend.

Cannon Rigby Copeland's Blessing Day

Cannon Rigby Copeland
Born March 1, 2010

Son of Kent and Natalie

Brother of Ethan and Ella

Blessed April 25, 2010

We Love You

Grandpa and Grandma Robbins

Cannon's blessing day was beautiful. He is a sweet peaceful baby bringing love to his eternal family. Kent gave him a choice blessing from a righteous father. Natalie served a breathtaking dinner at the Martins back yard. The day was perfect with food, fun and friends. It will be a long lasting memory.

One of my treasures is holding precious grandbabies.
This poem by Carol Lynn Pearson expresses my feelings.

Day-Old Child

My day-old child lay in my arms, with my lips against his ear.

I whispered strongly, "How I wish -- I wish that you could hear.

I've a hundred wonderful things to say ( A tiny cough and a nod),

Hurry, hurry, hurry and grow so I can tell you about God."

My day-old baby's mouth was still and my words only tickled his ear.

But a kind of light passed through his eyes, and I saw this thought appear;

"How I wish I had a voice and words; I've a hundred things to say.

Before I forget I'd tell you of God -- I left Him yesterday.

Washington Trip

SATURDAY

Saturday was a power packed day starting with a Primary Activity and Natalie is the Primary President. The theme was the Articles of Faith. I attended a station. Those children have a good understanding
of the Articles of Faith. The activity included a tasty sack lunch and much needed because we had to be to Ethan's basketball game 30 miles away in Yakima.

Ethan is an outstanding basketball player (that might be because he plays basketball 24/7 at home. Inside and outside.) It is fun to watch he tricks and baskets. He works very hard and Kent is an excellent coach.

Ethan made signs for Ella, Ryker and Kate to hold during the game.

The rest of Saturday was filled with shopping, lunch, Benjamin Andersons

birthday party and a relaxing swim at the motel (The Best Western)

The big surprise at the pool was Camille and family arrived for the baby blessing. Natalie and Camille have a deep friendship and they support each other 110%. Sunday morning we all met at the hotel for Continental Breakfast. It was the beginning of a special day, Cannon's blessing day.

Washington Trip

THURSDAY/FRIDAY

We had a fabulous trip to Sunnyside with Russell, Merrilee, Ryker and Kate. At 4:00 Thursday evening the adventure started. Thursday night we stayed in Boise. The pool, continental breakfast and BEST WESTERN logo made a big impression on Ryker and Kate.

We arrived in Sunnyside Friday afternoon in time for dinner at our favorite El Valle Resturant. Merrilee remembered it from two years ago. It was just as good as ever, the service great, and the visiting non-stop. We returned home in time for the Jazz party, a successful party with a winning score, scotcheroos, and root beer floats. The best part of the evening was that Cannon remembered me and even smiled a few times for me.

March 1, 2010

Brady Spencer Robbins
Baptism March 6, 2010



We are proud of Brady and the choice he made this day. He is a special boy. He loves Jesus and follows His commandments. Brady bore a sweet testimony of his feelings this day. Parents have no greater joy than to know their children are faithful to the Gospel. Thank you Spencer and Jenny for teaching your family. It is a thrill to have all the family support for such occasions.
Brady, Grandpa and Grandma love you.

March 1, 2010 Cannon Rigby Copeland

Baby Cannon joined the Copeland Family

Congratulations Natalie, Kent, Ethan and Ella
We were glad to be there for this special time in their family.