Wallace Family Visit!

     During the three week Palmer break we were so excited to have family visit us!  We were all excited to have family come, but I think I was most excited.  This is the longest/farthest I've been away from home.  It's been a great experience living in Davenport so far, but at the same time I miss being close to extended family.  Now on to the fun. My family came the first week of our break.  I'll break the trip down into days :)  

DAY 1:
      The first night that the Mom, Dad and Camille were here we saw fireflies.  It's hard to get a good picture of fireflies, but they were very fun to see. The next day we took them around to see the sights of Davenport.  As much as I like this city, there isn't too much touristy to do, but here is what we came up with: 

First, we took them to Palmer.  We thought they might like to see the reason we are here.  Sam took us on a short tour of the school.  Some tour highlights were display cases of spines, a stale fortune cookie and the founders-ashes-in-the-wall wall. 

 Next, we went across the sky walk that overlooks the Mississippi.  This walkway has floor to ceiling glass so you can see the river very well.  Except of course for where that casino blocks the view!  My favorite part of seeing the river is all the pelicans that hang around down there.  There were probably a hundred hanging out.  

We walked down for a closer look and to cool our toes.  Marlee loved getting hit by the waves.  Every time they came is she would giggle so loud.  It was only a couple of weeks before this that Sam and I came down to almost this same spot and the river was so high it was flooding under that fence behind Sam!

Day 2:

The next day we drove to Nauvoo, Illinois, LDS Church History Site.  We made it there even with two gps failures.  The road must be new because the gps always told us we were driving in a field, but we never left the highway :)  The Nauvoo temple is beautiful and there are a lot of things see and do in Old Nauvoo.  

We took a bumpy oxen ride, wagon ride and walked around the temple.  I really enjoyed seeing where the early saints lived.  We saw how much they sacrificed and to me it showed how strong their testimonies were.  They knew that Heavenly Father would be with them as they followed His commandments.  It strengthened my testimony and I know too that Heavenly Father will help us through the challenges and trials we are given.    

 Everyone took turns chasing Marlee.  Grandpa is corralling her back to the group this time.  She loved having so many people to play with.  Mom and Dad loved having help chasing her!

Beautiful!!!

Carthage Jail is only like a 30 minute drive from Nauvoo so we went there too.  Marlee fell asleep on the way so her Daddy carried her around until she woke up. 

 Day 3:

After Nauvoo we were all kinda tired of driving so we decided to go to the Zoo that is only a 20 minute drive from our apartment.  We forgot Marlee's cup so she got some bug juice at the zoo.  I swear all that it is is flavored sugar.  We watered it down but Marz was still bouncing off the walls.  We saw some fun animals, but I think the best part was just being with family.  

Just a couple of Monkeys!

Taking a break in the shade.  Marlee was having fun handing things to Grandpa.  

Marlee and Grandma are cooling off with the squirting elephant and the mist fan!

 Marlee was very brave and she let her dad help her feed the swan.  I was surprised she thought it was so funny!


Here are just a few more random pictures that I thought were fun!