Missouri June 2016

We were able to go to Missouri in June this year.  Jeff's family was having a reunion in Branson.  We found that it was cheaper to fly out three days early and rent a house.  What a great deal.  We flew into Kansas City and drove a little way to Liberty.  We were able to visit the site of Liberty Jail.  This building is a recreation of the actual jail but it sits on the exact same site of the original.  I was very happy to visit this monument because it is the site of one of my favorite scriptures.  D&C 121 (excerpts)--"O God, where art thou?  And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?  How long shall thy hand be stayed......Yea, O lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them......'My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment.'"

 We stayed in a cute little two bedroom farm house in St. Louis.  

We went to see the Gateway Arch.  It was a terribly hot, humid, and sunny day.  We had to park very far away because of construction to the monument.  We finally found our way into the basement and purchased tickets to ride to the top.  It was such an incredible view and the kids loved being on the edge of two states.  Seeing the Mississippi river for the first time was fun for them, as well. 

This was the small pod-like tram that takes you to the top.  It was quite small and I hit my head a few times even after the safety presentation about the low ceilings.

Caleb was complaining of a stomach ache and was having bathroom stress.  We had to leave Jeff with Caleb at the monument while the rest of us walked back to the car.  I had fallen down the stairs earlier that morning and was in a lot of knee, foot, and ankle pain.  I ended up having to carry Blake on my shoulders for many blocks, uphill.  When we entered our parking garage, Josh saw the look on my face and took Blake from me.  He walked far ahead so Blake couldn't see me.  I hobbled the rest of the way to the car in tears.  I was very grateful for Josh rescuing me in that moment.