Spring in Northern Illinois is really surprising us!! We have had the most beautiful days recently and that is really making up for the very dismal winter that we had.

We took a trip to Nauvoo on May 19th-20th. We had a wonderful time enjoying the sights, playing along the Mississippi River and staying in the Nauvoo Log Cabins. We rode the new oxcart ride, as well as the horsedrawn wagon you see pictured. Justin got another mini horseshoe because it was his birthday and we all got horseshoe nail rings! The gunsmith shop was one of the fascinating highlights also.

Now the kids are out of school for the summer and it's been non-stop bike riding, frog catching, dog chasing, water spraying, wrist spraining, fish catching, beach going, zoo visiting, cat sitting FUUUUN!!

Barton is on his way with finishing our basement. Today he purchased all the lumber for framing and stacked it all downstairs then rearranged all the stuff down there so he could begin working. This time he has promised to hire someone to do the sheetrock, but will likely do everything himself because that is what he enjoys.