The "City Beautiful"

We had a quick little trip to Nauvoo, ILL the other week. We were childless for a few days (thanks Klade and Melissa, we owe you) and the drive across Missouri was the longest 4 1/2 hours that we have had together in awhile without "Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Why was that car back there red?" Or "Dad. Dad. Watch this. Hey, Dad, watch this. Watch this." It was relaxing to see ALL of Missouri from our cool car with very few pit stops. (Daradie loved the car and was completely jealous of the PT.)

First stop was Liberty Jail. Dan was quite impressed of my criminal mind. I knew the reason of putting broken rocks in between the jail walls--it was a booby trap.

While in Liberty, we stopped at the famous first bank that Jesse James robbed in daylight. He got away with $60,000. Can you imagine how much money that was back then? I'd be happy with stealing that money today!
Stop two was Arthur Bryant's Famous Barbecue. But you can bypass it really. Just an average restaurant with a lot of BBQ and a slice of bread. Stop three was Adam Ondi Aman. Very peaceful and even saw a few deer in the valley. I could totally stake a claim and build my house there.
Finally made our way to Nauvoo. Mom and Dad were in their "missionary attire" and ready to show us the sights. Dad got special permission and was able to dress down for the time into his favorite mission clothes--his "teamster" clothing.

We were able to see mom and dad in their "Broadway" performances of Jed and Annie (a skit they have nightly for tourists). Klade, just thought you should know that if you ever decide to act on stage, you and dad would be twinners. If anyone would like to see it, we'll have Nauvoo Night and you can see the video recording. It was really quite funny to see my parents act. You'd think that since I love a crowd, they would also but they pulled it together excellently. (See how much dad is in character.)
Headed on over to Carthage Jail. It was interesting to hear the events of that experience. I think "experience" is a good word. Once in that room, you honestly experience a lot of things in your mind and in your heart.
Mom and me in the "Women's Garden" in Nauvoo. Lucky to have a mom like her! Sure everyone thinks their mom is the greatest but who can say that their mom would leave a little note and a bag of treats in your bag for sleepovers? Or whose mom would be cool enough to leave you alone about your "Punky Brewster" attire with the bandana tied above your knee and rolled up levi's with mismatched socks and they had to be rolled down into a donut around your ankle. (Which is the reason behind Daradie's choice of attire--been there, done that kind of thing.) Or when you had to call your mom when you weren't too cool about a movie while at a friend's house and she didn't make you explain yourself over the phone, she just came and picked you up--no questions asked. A mom that really encourages you to have friends over and parties at your house. We had an endless supply of ice cream and popcorn for visitors--whether unexpected or expected. Or a mom that doesn't get mad at you when you and 10 friends from high school pick your house to eat lunch at and ate all the leftovers from the previous night's event and left all the dishes in the sink and now dinner is cold cereal. Really, how cool of a mom do I have? I know. She ranks right up there.

My dad was great at letting you know you were valued and appreciated. I remember him in at the computer with his glasses on and his scriptures opened getting a talk of some sort ready. BUT whenever you walked in he turned to face you, took his glasses off, interlocked his fingers across his chest and you were all his for the time. A rare speciman. Plus, he would take us in the tractor with him while he fed cows or down the road to talk to someone moving pipe or going to the dump and I know now, it was his way of a PPI with his kids.

Just a few years ago, seriously it was no more than last year. I was just dying to know what he really did for a career. (Dear brothers and sisters, I'm not the only one that was curious in this cause to know the real Steve Williams.) Dad had some "business" dealings with a huge variety of corporations. He just didn't talk about all the details in his work, but things like "citizen identification number" and airline security would pop up. He lived by the rule of "my business is my business." Thus my impression of my father secretly working for the CIA for like the past 15 years. I just kept wondering when I'd be privileged enough to learn his real identity. And now I do. The most awesome dad ever who makes the yummiest orange whippies and enjoyed a good episode of back to back "Baywatch" and "Walker, Texas Ranger." He's just simply the coolest dad. And to make sure there is no confusion, TaNece, he never has worked for the government.

(Although this picture does make him look like a native man from the backcountry of Poland.)

It was a quick trip but nice to see the parents. Nothing makes you feel better than hearing from everyone in their mission, "You have such nice parents. We just love them!" Yeah, I know that already.