After the baptism, we headed to the hospital to see Kate and meet the newest member of the family.  Zoey was unbelievably small and sooooooo cute.  And, wonder of wonders, she didn't sport a single red hair. 

 

Everyone fell in love immediately.

Now that he's eight, Lukie's leisurely Saturdays are over.  We take "Age of Accountability" seriously around here.

Lukie turns 8!

Jessica's cute friends Gyll, Robo, Abby, and Kaylynne all helped us celebrate.

The. Best. Gift. Ever.

He also had some friends over for a pool party.  The fun never ends when you're Lukie!

If yesterday was our Chinese Night, today was All-American.  Which is just as it should be.

Brad took the boys to play Laser-tag, and then we went to a comedy show.

Dr. Phil, Paula Deen, and some scary woman named Miranda counsel a hapless audience member.

This folk trio was my absolute favorite.  I was cracking up!

And where should one go to dinner on All-American Day?  Why, here of course! 

 All-you-can-eat crab and lobster?  Yes, please!

We finished our American celebration at a traditional Branson show.  This quartet, New South, was seriously great.  I just love talented people.

It did, however, veer into cheesy territory.  Slick in the red boots was the MC.  And the fiddle-player did a number involving some hip wiggling I won't soon forget.

They kept trying to tell me this female singer was a big deal.  I didn't see it.  This is what I did see.

You're welcome.  And Merry Christmas...er, July 4th.

Yesterday, we said good-bye to my parents and drove down to Branson, MO to spend a couple of days.  It's a little different from Nauvoo.

We spent the day at the Titanic Museum.

 With your ticket, they'd give you the name of an actual Titanic passenger.  At the end of the museum, you'd find out if you survived or not.  I'm happy to report that 4 out of the 5 five of us survived.  Poor Brad went down with the ship.

Tonight was our Chinese-themed night.  We ate dinner at a Chinese Buffet, then went to a Chinese Acrobats show.

The things these folks do with hula-hoops...

This was my favorite number, in which this couple twisted themselves into this silk and flew around the stage.  It was strangely beautiful and romantic.

You know how after a show, it's a little awkward meeting the cast in the lobby?  Well, it's really awkward when the cast doesn't speak English.

Second day in beautiful Nauvoo.

First we went to "Just Plain Anna Amanda", in which Syddo and Erik--obviously--stole the show.

Pepper workin' the ladies...

 With the four-legged-missionaries, Mick and Ben.

We went for a carriage ride, which Dad narrated.  The weather was perfect and the stories were super interesting.  Definitely a highlight.

 Pepper the Pioneer Axe-Murderer.

 And tonight--tonight--we capped off our stay with a show starring Elder and Sister Larson.  IT WAS AWESOME!!!

 The many faces of Pioneer Babs.

 I'm pretty sure this face has been aimed at me once or twice in my life.  I know it's been aimed at my brother Jeff.

 I think my dad hid behind that pole on purpose.  I had a devil of a time snapping a picture of him.

 The steamy love scene.

 I cannot imagine a more delightful way to spend our last night in Nauvoo!  My parents were great to watch--animated and enthusiastic and wonderful in every way.  They are totally rocking this mission thing, and I am so proud of them!!!