Summer Flies

Not only does time fly by during summer because we are outside enjoying new places, seeing loved ones, and having fun.  Missouri also has a lot of flies in the summer.  So you can pick which meaning of the title you like.

Highlights of our first half of Summer

1.  Weekend to see Missouri History

            We actually started our trip visiting St. Louis Temple and then spent the rest of the day exploring the Cahokia Mounds, an ancient city on the Illinois side of the Mississippi.  It is the largest mound civilization in the United states.

Hiking the stairs up the largest Mound.  This is of course where the Chief would live and rule from  But it is big enough that there were multiple purposes.

Halfway up

Thistles. Who knew something so prickly could be so lovely?

Enjoying the history of some of the smaller mounds.  They found some pretty interesting artifacts inside them.

The mound where we climbed up from the other side of the city

 The next day we stopped by Mastodon State Historic site.  We went to the dig site and the museum. Then went on to visit Missouri Mining Historic Site and toured a mine now filled with water (so we took a boat :).

Checking out the Mastodon Bones

The old mine from a distance

Exploring the museum (don't ask me what was behind us, I can't remember, but Jake could probably tell you)

My boys love big construction/mining equipment

A big rock near the old mine

On the boat ride through the mine

Unfortunately pictures in the dark do no justice

2.  Jake graduated from Army Corp of Engineer's Captain's Career Course

3. Fun at Home

Push-ups with Daddy.  Love moments like these

Doubling up in a compact car

Before

After

4.  Trip to Texas to see Jake's family

     We stayed a whole week.  Enjoyed time with Aunt Crystal, went swimming, rode a train.  Had yummy food.  Jake and I got to visit the Dallas Temple.  Unfortunately, I forgot our camera almost everywhere but the train ride.

Pace enjoying the train ride with Grandma and Grandpa Monson

5. Trip to Oklahoma to see Ben and Beth

           We only spent a day and a half with my brother, but they really showed us around.  We got to visit the Witchita Mountains near their house.  Eat homemade noodles and enjoy a German restaurant.  I did not get a whole lot of pictures with people in them :(

Walking on a path near a reservoir

Bison :)

At the prairie dog town, I got a little too close and set off the prairie dog alarm.

Old Fort Sill

Now on to new summer adventures.