This summer we had two "family reunion" trips. First was to Utah for the 4th of July with Grandpa and Grandma Pusey and all of Scott's sisters and kids. Parades, barbeques, fireworks, water parks, family pictures, volleyball, basketball, freeze tag, chasing, water balloons, -- you get the picture. Non-stop merry mayhem. This was our last get together before Grandpa and Grandma left for Nauvoo, Illinois for an 18 month service mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Keep following, there is more about Nauvoo, below.

Later in July we went to California. Jenifer's sister Andrea, husband Ted and their children came from Maryland and we had a great celebration for Jenifer's dad, Ray Young, and his 70 years on this planet. Scott actually somewhat enjoyed Jenifer's 20th high school reunion dinner as well. Turns out that the prime place for all these types of celebrations in Boron, California is "Domingos," a somewhat well-known place for Mexican food, surprise birthday parties, high school reunions etc. Hey, we all need a place where everybody knows your name . . .

For fall break we trekked to Nauvoo to visit Scott's parents on location in their mission. For those who may not be familiar, Nauvoo is a small town on the Mississippi River in Southern Illinois, across from Keokuk, Iowa. The town was founded by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (commonly referred to as "Mormons") in the 1840's after they were driven out of Missouri. Unfortunately, hate and bigotry only rested for a few short years and the Mormons were again murdered and collectively driven out, their beautiful temple burned. Over the years, the Church has restored major portions of old Nauvoo and more recently rebuilt the Nauvoo Temple. (Click here for a more comprehensive discussion of Mormon history in Missouri and Nauvoo).