I am sorry to say that after looking all afternoon I cannot find my connection cord for my camera. This is what I have been waiting for to blog, but the pics will have to come later. We had an eventful drive to Florida. We ended our first day in Denver at Galbraith's. We had a great evening with them and were so grateful for the hospitality and wish we could have stayed longer. We woke up early (4:30am) the next morning and drove to Winter Quarters. We saw the temple, graveyard, and the visitor's center. It was beautiful and great to be reminded of the sacrifices that our ancestors went through to give us the right to worship how we want. We had stopped for two hours when we got on the road and ended at 10 or 11pm near Navoo, IL. The next day started with the fun at Navoo, even though it was raining hard. We enjoyed the blacksmith, brickyard, family living center, bakery, gunshop, and visitor's center before returning to the road. The favorite had to be the gunshop for Heman and the rest of us loved the family center, the girls made a rope and played with pioneer dolls, and I learned about making rugs, taz was able to run (FINALLY!!!) We then went over the Carthage and enjoyed the beautiful tour that was given by the missionaries. Back on the road again for another long day. The fourth day started with the drive to Atlanta for the final event, the world's largest aquarium. This was so much fun. We explored and saw fish we have never seen before. There was even a playground inside for the kids to run. After our wiggles were out and it was time for a nap we finished our drive late in Lakeland. We were all grateful for the experience we had enjoyed and also grateful to be out of the car. When an 8hr drive seems like a piece of cake, that's when you know you have driven too much.
The last week has been just as eventful with shopping trips, dmv appt., unpacking, mom arriving (yeah!!!!!!) and swimming. All of our fun would not have been possible had my giving mother not come to help. Thank you to all those involved in making this happen. Our moving van didn't arrive for 5 days leaving us camping on the floor and eating microwave food. If this is the only thing that goes wrong in this whole process we still have a lot to be grateful for. Our van arrives and causes our neighborhood gate to close on the van inturn causing the gate to buckle and break. HI, WE'RE THE DICKINSON'S! (to the hoa) Out of 10,000lbs of belongings only one or two pieces missing and 10 things broken we were overall still doing well. By Tuesday night I had almost the entire kitchen unpacked. The next day the magic happend (as mom said) with three super women, by the end of the day the house was unpacked organized and fall decorations up. The house isn't perfect yet but it does feel like home (away from home).
If you have read this saga, here's to you. Thank all of you for your support and love and prayers. We love you all so very much. Pleeeeaaaase keep in touch!!! Hugs and Kisses!!! The Spirited Six.
Largest Aquarium in the World, Atlanta, GA
Stop #5
we had so much fun seeing everything. we were all excited about the fish but also about moving for two hours. there is so much to see. janae you and eric really need to see this one.
last stop till we get to home
i just erased the carthage picture and I don't want to do it over but that was stop #4
kids making a rope in the family living center in Navoo
Heman and Taz pretending to be blacksmith's
cut man couldn't stop laughing as he watched Taz run in circles literally
(it was hysterical NOT!! Brig was not laughing as Isaac picked up the huge hammer and the man says don't worry brother he can't hurt anything. Just himself is what we were worried about.)
this was amazing! i can't believe this is the actual temple. it was so incredible. i'm glad we did this. we all had a lot of fun even if it was wet and cold. stop #3
winter quarters was very touching. the visitor center is beautiful. the cemetery is humbling. we wish it hadn't been raining so we could enjoy it more. Dixie if you haven't been to this one you need to go. stop #2
Stop #1 Galbraith's
we were so glad we could stop in and see these guys before we headed east. i feel bad they we didn't go out more. they really aren't that far from where we lived. so those of you still there GO VISIT THE GALBRAITH'S NOW!!!! it's not that far even for a long weekend.
