Canada Part 1. The drive.

1 week after we moved into our home in Indianapolis, unpacked everything, hung as many pictures as time would allow we packed up again and headed on a 30hr road trip to Canada for the 1st Annual Keeler Family Reunion!  We were sad Mark couldn't come with us, but excited for the time spent on Grandpa's farm.  There's no place like home. :)

We drove 5hrs east and stopped at Carthage Jail. Luck would have it that we arrived on June 27th - the very day that Hyrum and Joseph Smith were martyred.  It wasn't planned but we were sure glad it happened!  Also all camera batteries seemed to die right as we got to Carthage so pictures are wanting. :)

Carthage Jail 2013

We drove on to Nauvoo where we miraculously snagged the last condo at some place after calling a few other sold out places to stay.  It was a perfect size apartment with a kitchen and two bedrooms.  Just what we needed to relax a little and see the sights....well as much of Nauvoo as you can see in one evening and then 1/2 a day!

We watched a little play while in Nauvoo and Zina got pulled up on stage. She was pretty cute and gave the musical missionary a great big hug after. 

Zina in the Nauvoo home of her great great great great great something or other Grandfather Brigham Young.  I obviously can never remember how many "greats" it is.

We stopped at Grandma Judy's cousin's famous custard shop on Nauvoo's only main street.  Oh boy. I'm still dreaming about the custard I ate there. It was so good!  Thanks Cousin Helen!

We left Nauvoo after lunch and cruised across the Midwest until we hit Kanesville Iowa.  This is right by Council Bluffs and is where Brigham Young was set a part as the Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  My Mom and I loved this statue and subsequent plaque. 

Oh the power and responsibility that comes with the name "Mother."

Her face looking toward heaven just says so much.  I can't even put it into words except that I want to feel this way, with my eyes towards the Heavens every single day.  And I love my sweet little Zina face poking over her shoulder.  It is a beautiful thing to be a woman!

Hey look Davey J! It's Brigham Young!

We drove on to Winter Quarters and dressed up as Pioneers in their visitor center.

It sure did put our 30hr drive into perspective thinking about the Pioneer trek to the Salt Lake Valley. 

I love the Pioneers.  They are amazing. 

I want to be like them!

Davey says, "NO MORE DRIVING!"  

Isn't he adorable!

It was hard to see all the sights with four tired little kids and one stressed out Mama.  

We drove straight from Winter Quarters to Alberta Canada without stopping to sleep.

I just couldn't do it.  I needed to stop moving and feel peace.  

So we didn't stop in the South Dakota Badlands and we didn't see Mount Rushmore.

That will have to be for another day.

We were SO GLAD to be at Grandpa's farm.

We live really far away! :(

I am so grateful to Grandma and Uncle Johnny for helping us make our own trek across the country.

They were very patient and forgiving.

Maybe someday we will be able to repay them!