Back in August we went on a trip to Minnesota. We left on a Thursday at 11 ish and we got to our destination literally 24 hours...without stopping...and I only drove about 2 hours of the trip!! Justin was so excited to visit his family at the farm that he just kept going and going. I am selfishly glad that he was willing to drive for so long. Driving is not my favorite thing to do, especially if it's long distance.

Justin's mom and step dad stay in Minnesota for the summer to get out of the heat in Nevada, so it was fun to spend time with them. Growing up Justin and his family would visit his oldest sister and her family at the farm, so the farm is a very special place to Justin. The kids absolutely LOVED it. It took me awhile to get used to it, quiet honestly, but by the time we had to go, I wasn't ready and wished I had enjoyed it to the fullest from the very beginning. I just didn't realize that I was such a "city" girl, until visiting a legit farm and living a farm life. I admire farmers, that's for sure!! Hats off to them.

After being there for a few days, we drove two hours to go visit Justin's brother and his wife at a lake resort and stayed there for the night. The next day we went fishing and boating. It would have been even more fun if it hadn't been FREEZING that day. Kind of disappointing... I had been hoping to go swimming in the lake. While Max and Justin took a three hours nap, the kids and I walked down to a park and it was the best park ever created for the kid's size. After nap time, we had a glorious yummy dinner and then played cards. Afterwards we headed back to the farm. I'm so glad that we went up and visited them!

After visiting Justin's family, we then drove 6 hours to Minneapolis to stay the night with our dear friends, the Rhodes, who we knew in Georgia. They had moved to Minnesota about a year after we moved from Georgia. I'll forever be thankful that we lived in the same place for three good years. My heart was SO HAPPY to see them again! Dantzel is one of the most amazing people I've ever known. The most non judgmental person on this planet and doesn't have a single mean bone in her body. I could tell her ANY thing, and I always felt safe. She's just a beautiful person that glows with Christlike love.
After the kids went to bed, we stayed up and played a board game...not sure what it was called...but we had a lot of good laughs. She and Adam are HILARIOUS! Everything that comes out of their mouth is pure gold. haha When we got home, we contemplated about moving to Minnesota, JUST so we could live near the Rhodes again. And yes...they are THAT awesome. :) Then we thought seriously about the winter (snow snow and more snow) and quickly changed our minds. haha Thankful to have visited them during the summer time. Even then, it was getting a little chilly!

When we left their house, that's when we headed to Naperville Illinois, and I already wrote about all that.

After Naperville, we went to Carthage Jail in Carthage Illinois and saw where the Prophet Joseph Smith was murdered. We were the only ones there on the tour so that was nice.

My favorite song about the Prophet Joseph Smith (starting at 6:40) ^^ and my favorite scriptures about him:

 3 Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more,save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fullness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated! 

I love him and it will be such an honor to meet him one day!! 

After visiting Carthage Jail, we went to Nauvoo and spent a few hours there. We were lucky and were able to catch the last of the carriage tours. We toured Nauvoo without breaking a sweat. :) 

I'm so glad we were able to take our little family there. It will be fun to visit it again once they are older. 

After Nauvoo, we stopped at the famous Mark Twain Caves in Hannibal Missouri. 

(Not my pictures...course).

It was probably the most kid friendly cave in the world! It's no wonder why it's so famous. I highly recommend it if you're ever in the area.

The drive back was...so...long. We finally got home Monday morning at 1 am... bleh! I didn't want to step foot in a car again after we got home. After all is said and done, I'm so thankful that Justin didn't let me talk us out of not going on the vacation and I'm thankful for all the family and friends that we were able to see. Probably one of my most favorite vacations we've been on as a family. :)