Well, we have been in Manassas, Virginia for about a month now and we have gone to Washington D.C. three times. We still haven't seen everything there is to see.

We went to The Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History.

The fearsome T-Rex is 40 feet long.

We forgot to bring "Rexy" his bone.

Elephants are huge!

Hey dum dums, you give me some gum gum!!!

This is the 45.52- carat Hope Diamond. Sorry about the picture, but it is on a rotating stand. The Hope Diamond is surrounded by 16 white diamonds and the necklace chain has 45 more white diamonds!

Which is scarier, Sam or the bear?

The Smithsonian Institution Castle. This is the information center for the 17 Smithsonian museums.

In the castle, we saw this from the 2nd Night at the Museum movie.

Pharaoh Ahkmenrah's "pile of loot" from Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. This prop includes replicas of such famous artifacts as Archie Bunker's armchair, Fonzie's jacket, and Dorothy's ruby slippers.

In the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History we saw many exhibits. They range from transportation, technology, science, wars, sports, music and movies. There is so much to see here. We spent over 3 hours here and I know we didn't see everything. The exhibit I enjoyed the most was called "The Star Spangled Banner". It has the actual flag (not a replica) that inspired the national anthem, written by Francis Scott Key. The almost 200-year old, 30-by 34-foot flag is displayed in a special environmentally-controlled chamber. Photography is not allowed. Sorry, no pictures.

The kids enjoyed the movie exhibits.

Hey Blake, Cowabunga, Dude!!!

"I am C-3PO, Human-Cyborg relations. And this is my counterpart, R2-D2." (From Stars Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) and my other counterparts, James, Mikala, Sam and Bryan.

Sam says this is Doc from the movie, "Cars".

From the World Trade Center: Steel columns and spandrel plate from the south tower.

I have so many pictures from our adventures in D.C. I will post more later.

Carthage Jail
In this room, as they awaited to face charges, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and others were attacked by a mob. They tried to hold the door shut, but a bullet fired through the door struck Hyrum, killing him. Notice the bullet hole in the door.

This is the window that Joseph Smith was jumping out of as he was shot and fell to his death.

An original stone from the Nauvoo Temple, at Carthage Jail.

When we were looking around the visitor's center at Carthage Jail, I saw someone I recognized. The missionary tag said Sister Lusk. I went over to talk to her and she looked at me and said "I know you." I said "It's Leann, do you remember me?" She said, "Of course I do." We hugged and talked about what was happening in our lives. The Lusk family lived across the street from my family in Idaho Falls. Two of their daughters, Laura and Brenda, were good friends of mine. I don't know how long we lived in that neighborhood, but I remember going to kindergarten with Laura. I think we moved after 1st grade. I was always playing at their house. Partly because I was the youngest and my siblings are alot older then me, but also because my mom was having health problems and Sister Lusk was willing to help. It's been 3 years since I saw her last, at my dad's funeral. We talked for a bit and I introduced my family to her and her husband. She was our guide at Carthage Jail and I was so happy to be able to see her. The Lusks mean alot to me and as I have gotten older and had my own children, I know it wasn't easy having an "extra" kid always around. If I remember correctly, there are 8 kids in The Lusk Home. Sister Lusk was a great help to my mom and I am thankful to her and her family.

Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum were tragically killed at Carthage Jail. These men suffered tremendously so they could live the gospel and bring it to others. I am thankful for them and the love they had for their Savior and His gospel. It is because of their faith that we have the gospel here today.

The Martyr's Monument at Carthage Jail.

Nauvoo Temple
As you can see, Nauvoo is truly beautiful.

This a log cabin where school was held. Inside the kids had a "lesson" using a slate board and chalk.
Don't the kids look thrilled to be "back in school".

This is the Printing Shop where the newspaper, "Times and Seasons" was printed.

1840's Post Office

The Browning Gun Shop.

Inside there is a display of firearms made by Jonathan Browning and his descendants. Browning opened his gunsmith shop in 1842 and it has grown into an international company that is still in operation today.

Pioneer wagons

We took a tour of Old Nauvoo in a horse drawn wagon. These are the horses and Sam got to pet them. He loved them! The white horse is named Sam, after Hyrum Smith's horse. The black horse is named Charlie, after Joseph Smith's horse. Sam said the white horse was his favorite because it had his name!

A view of the Nauvoo Temple from the wagon ride.

On the wagon tour we saw the Mansion House. This was Joseph Smith's home. Later a hotel wing was added because of the demand of visitors to see the Prophet. This is also were Joseph and Hyrum's bodies were brought after the martyrdom. Over 10,000 mourning saints came to pay their respects.

This is where the saints crossed the Mississippi River when they left Nauvoo heading westward towards the Salt Lake Valley.
We took a carriage ride up to Inspiration Point. This was a favorite spot of Joseph Smith. He came here to ponder and pray.

We went to the Family Living Center. Here we learned how candles were made, how bread was made and baked and about quilting and weaving.We also learned how barrels were made and how rope was made.

Here we are making rope. We were told that we had to work together to make the rope. The rope can't be made and won't be strong if we didn't work together as a family. They told us that our family is like the rope, we can't be a strong family if we don't work together. They gave us the rope we made to remind us to be a strong family and work together.

This is the Brickyard. Here we learned about brick-making and how many of the homes were made in Nauvoo.

This is the home of Sarah Granger Kimball. She organized a group of women who met in her home and sewed shirts for the men. From these meetings came the idea of women coming together and working for a charitable cause. The Female Relief Society was organized on

March 17,1842.
The Joseph and Hyrum Smith Memorial. This is were Joseph and Hyrum stopped as they left Nauvoo for Carthage, to face charges against them. Joseph gazed at the beautiful temple and toward the city of Nauvoo and said, "This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens". The monument is titled "Calm As A Summer's Morning". Joseph Smith said, "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer's morning".

A sunstone from the original Nauvoo Temple.

A replica sunstone at Zion's Mercantile.

A view of the Nauvoo Temple from Keokuk, Iowa. Our hotel was in Keokuk, which is about 15 miles southwest of Nauvoo.

On the steps of The Nauvoo Temple.

Nauvoo is a beautiful place to visit. There is so much to see and do there. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to see it all. We enjoyed our time there and hope to go back someday. The spirit is strong there and I felt such peace. I am thankful for my ancestors and the early saints who were forced out of their homes over and over again. Who traveled far, gave up there possessions, lost loved ones and endured many hardships so they and their posterity could live free to practice their faith and live the gospel they loved.