Week #37, 21 - 27 August 2017

We began the week with watching the eclipse.  Nate rigged up binoculars to project the image on a piece of cardboard on the ground.  His brother came over with his kids and brought one pair of solar glasses for all to try.  It was pretty cool looking at it and then Nate's invention was fantastic.  The kids had a great time watching it.

Bob went to the eclipse barbeque with the missionaries at the park in Nauvoo.  He enjoyed the food and had a great time visiting and watching the event.

I did last minute shopping with the kids and then McKenna, Eme, and I went again for me to get some things.  We had a fun outing and topped it off with a stop for shaved ice.

Grandma Welker came in  after lunch.  She is there to help Kendal and has come from her mission in the Palmyra Temple.  I couldn't resist getting a picture of the kids with the "Missionary Grandmas!"

The boys did not want to be left out, so we went on an outing using the golf cart to deliver dishes to the families who brought meals in.  Sam drove, I rode, and Bridger hoped on the skateboard and was pulled by a rope on the back.  He had a great time twisting, turning, dipping, and diving as he swung out gaining momentum and sailing out past and ahead of us.  He was a show-off for sure but had a couple of crashes.  The best was when we passed a circular driveway and he sailed right into it and out the other end as we came by.  We laughed and had a great time.

It was hard to leave the fun and love of being with the family.  Baby Wyatt was the best and I will miss his snuggles.  Kendal and I did get a movie in one afternoon - we both fell asleep during different parts!  We were pretty funny.  My time there seems to be a wisp of time but is filled with many warm and happy memories to carry me though.

My flights to St Louis went well on Tuesday and Bob picked me up late afternoon.  He had come early enough to take in a session at the temple there.  He went to the arch and caught a glimpse of a different type of barge tow on the river.  We stopped for a bite to eat and then headed on to Nauvoo.  

Our shifts were not overly busy but patrons came here and there.  We officiated a session one day and then were patrons on another day.  I played the organ three times this week.  It really is nice to sit there playing for an hour, listening to the hymns and thinking about our Savior.  We were both assigned to a sealing session at the same time and we had family file cards Dan had sent us.  We were able to get them completed as well as help another ordinance worker complete her work.  We have had so many wonderful opportunities here.

The weather has been rather cool with very pleasant mornings and slightly warm afternoons.  It clouded up yesterday and today we still had clouds when we headed to church.  On the way home we hit rain that lasted all the way to Nauvoo, coming down really hard in Nauvoo.  It continued some after we got home.  It let up but we have had clouds all the rest of the day.  

We love our missionaries and their weekly emails.  They are inspirations to us.

Jay, the Piano Man, plays his heart out on Sundays and special numbers.  He is the man.

Tanner using his teaching skills with drawing the Plan of Salvation with chalk on the sidewalk.  You know you gotta use your resources.

Another great picture of the temple.  The colors are very striking and I like the fact there are no light posts in it.  Good work Bob!

Temple Fact:  Plans for the original Nauvoo temple called for a bell in the tower.  In July 1845, President Brigham Young wrote to the Saints in England asking if they would be agreeable to furnishing a bell for the temple.  A month later he informed them any funds they raised for a bell was to be sent to America and a bell would be purchased here.  They did so and in December 1845, a bell was installed in the tower of the temple.  During December 1845 and January 1846 it rang at the beginning of each endowment session.  Then, while camped at Winter Quarters, September 1846,  Brigham did not forget the bell and asked for it to be sent to him there.  It went with the vanguard company to the Salt Lake Valley.  In Utah, the temple bell was rung at the bowery constructed as a meeting place to signal the beginning of meetings.

There is a bell in the present day Nauvoo Temple tower and rings on the hour.  I guess you can say it rings at the start of each session as they all begin on the hour.

From Home:  Little boys living life!

Little Wyatt waking up happy.

Collins choosing his own Sunday outfit.

Big boy Dakotah strutting his stuff.

Week #36, 14 - 20 August 2017

The week began at Kendal's with getting things together and ready for the baby to come.  She worked out the schedule and decided meals.  We made a trip to town for groceries and other needed items.  I enjoyed the beautiful flowers at Kendal's.

Tuesday, the day the baby was to come, came and Kendal made her phone call to the hospital as to when to come in.  They had had a rush of births during the night and said she would need to call back later.  Well, later came, she called and was put off until after lunch.  So, off she, Bridger, and I went for his last minute school clothes shopping.  She made her phone call and was put off even later in the day.  Getting restless out she went and made a trip around the yard with the boys on the golf cart.

By the time supper came around, the hospital and doctor said for her to wait until Wednesday morning to call about coming in.  She was number one on the list and should get in fairly early.  Needless to say she was a bit disappointed and we all had to regroup our plans and such.  

Wednesday came and she made the call and went in after 6 a.m.  The waiting began and the children and I had a great time at home.  We played inside and outside, ate all kinds of food, and enjoyed being together. 

 Carter likes to ride the golf cart and his motorized tractor he got for his birthday.

 McKenna stopped for a smile.

 Nick is the Man!

The day went on and on with Kendal calling off and on with reports of her progress.  Finally at 4:17 p.m.,  on 16 August 2017, Wyatt Aaron Welker was born, weighing in at 8 lbs 14 oz.  We were so excited we sent a picture to say congratulations.  Grandma, Sam, McKenna, Eme, Nick, Carter, and Koa.  Where was Bridger?

The day had been eventful for Kendal and Nate at the hospital, and one for us at the house.  Sam managed to rip off the nail of his little toe while riding a skateboard being pulled by Bridger on the golf cart.  I put my EMT hat on and cleaned, removed the hanging nail, medicated, and bandaged the nailess toe.  He was quite the trooper dealing with the pain.  He took a brief break but was soon back to being a boy.

Eme had a cough all day long and by evening was not feeling so good.  On came the RN hat and I began hydrating her.  By bedtime she was much better but still coughing to some degree.  I gave her a dose of cough syrup which gave her a tummy ache.  On came the GRANDMA hat and we spent time in the rocking chair.  After while her tummy felt better and she moved onto the couch where she spent the night.

I really thought it was now bedtime and had just gotten settled in when Koa woke up.  Bridger tried to take care of his need to no avail.  He brought him to me and he still was very unsettled.  Eme offered for him to lay by her on the couch.  Taking the easy way, I put him there and he was very happy to sleep the night on the couch.

Just after Wyatt was born, Sam had a school open house.  This is his first year in middle school.  I put on my MOM hat and after supper I took him to the open house where he had a great time meeting his teachers, checking out the layout of the campus, and insuring he could open the combination on his locker lock.

Thursday was a great day with us going to the hospital to see baby Wyatt.

With GRANDMA hat securely in place, I held grand baby #38.

The family had a great time posing for a picture, loving mom, and taking turns holding Wyatt.  The nurse came in to give him a bath and was super sweet to let the children help her.  They had a great time focused on the process.

After the hospital visit we stopped at McDonald's where everyone enjoyed food and playing in the play place.  At home, the two little boys took naps and the rest of us had quiet time with a movie and computer games.

Nate, Kendal, and Wyatt came home just before dinner.  Their Visiting Teachers brought it in and we all enjoyed eating and having turns holding baby.

In the words of Jay:  "Homie Nick" and baby.

Big brother Koa.

Carter slipped in for a turn.

Thursday ended with Bridger needing a ride to a friend's party.  I was happy to put my CHAUFFEUR hat and happily took him.

Back in Nauvoo, Bob was busy working in the temple, eating lots of fresh corn, and finding time to go to the Montrose Watermelon Festival.

He ran in to fellow temple missionaries at the festival.  Elder & Sister Sorenson above and Elder and Sister Emang below.

Spencer's family came to Nauvoo Saturday morning and left that evening, heading home to Logan.  They had a great time being together and Bob showing them Nauvoo.

After a session at the temple.  Wendy, Monson, Spencer, Saranie, Alden, and Bob.

Remembering Carthage.

Stopping by ancestor Heber C Kimball's home.

Pausing in the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds.  Respecting those who died during the early Nauvoo period.

On Sunday Bob had a great time going on a walk and taking pictures.  It was a beautiful evening.

A man made lake a block or so south of Zion's Mercantile.  

Looking west to Montrose, Iowa.

 Beautiful colors with the temple.

Temple Flowers

Wyatt is growing!