Lake Okoboji

Towards the end of July, we took our main summer vacation through Omaha, Nebraska, and ultimately ending up in a cute tourist lake town, in northwest Iowa, called Lake Okoboji.  It was not a long stay, just about 3 in a half days, but it was a lot of fun, especially since we were able to meet up with Edie's parents(Grandma and Grandpa D.) her Grandma E., and her brother and sister in-law, David and Adrienne and their 7 children.

We started our trip a day before we met up with the family, so we could visit some of the LDS church sites in Winter Quarters,  Nebraska.  This is where the early pioneer saints lived a short while, before they eventually had to move and ultimately settling out west, in Utah.  As we were driving to Winter Quarters, we stopped off in Kansas city for lunch, at a place that Edie could not pass up because of the name.

Can anyone guess why?  ;)

(For those of you who don't already know, our little girl will be named Anna, after Edie and Edie's great grandma)

After our tummies were satisfied, we headed back on the road to Winter Quarters.  We got there with just the right time to see the sites we wanted to before they closed for the night.

 a statue depicting a pioneer family

 At the visitor center, the sweet sister missionary explained to the boys, what the LDS pioneers would have packed in their covered wagons as they were traveling out west. The boys even got to race her to see how many items they could fit in before the timer rang!

 With Dean's help, the older boys got to experience what it would be like to pull a handcart.

I am pretty sure they found out it was not as easy as they thought!

Especially when a rock got put under a wheel.

After going through the visitor center, we walked across the street to walk the grounds of the Winter Quarters Latter Day Saint Temple.  It is set on a beautiful hill site, with a small pioneer cemetery beside it.   The temple itself is very beautiful, with stained glass windows, and the golden Angle Moroni on top.  It was great to end a long day of driving with walking around the grounds.  Even though we were not inside, just like with all LDS temples, the grounds are a wonderful peaceful place to be in.  The Lord's spirit and His comfort ARE truly felt.  We hope that one day we will have the opportunity to have a temple in NWA to quickly go to when needed.  They honestly bring peace, comfort, knowledge, guidance, and God's love to all who go there!

The following day we drove the last leg of our trip to Okoboji.  We all of the family at our motel to and then we were off on our adventures in Okoboji!

Our first real stop was going on the lake and taking an hour steamboat ride on the Queen 2.

This was a lot of fun to relax, chat with family,  and feel the wind in your hair as the boat cruised its way across and around the lake!

All the cousins had a great time as well, especially since they were aloud to go be with the captain and toot the boats horn!

After stepping off the boat, we took a stroll down to the Maritime Museum.  This was fun to see the old fashioned boats and amusement rides that were used long ago.  

  We especially all liked the funny distorted carnival mirrors!

We then decided to go the little fun lake side amusement park to have some more fun before our dinner

We(who ever wanted to) got to ride two rides each, thanks to Grandpa and Grandma!

The smaller boys choose the kiddie coaster

with some more then others, having a little apprehension at first

 But the fear quickly went away and..

 all had fun!

 The leaning fun house was a favorite! 

The cousins, and even some of the adults, could not resist

going up and down this crazy building

The older kids tried their hand(and stomachs) with the big coaster.

As can be seen I think they all had a great time!

While the kids were monkeying around 

Grandpa was doing his own monkey business ;) 

The second day of our "cousin reunion", was spent doing various things around the area.  From the break of dawn, Dad/Grandpa was off and running on yet another marathon excursion. 

He was fortunate enough to run alongside an olympic runner from years past, as well as being second in his overall age group.  He never ceases to amaze us!

 David and Adrienne (Edie's brother and sister in law) were close behind him running a 10 K that was held there too.  They are awesome examples of strength and determination as well!

 Way to go Family!

Once the racers were all ready to go again,  we all deemed it appropriate to get some fuel for the body and let the children have their chance at letting their energy get out, so McDonald's play land was just the right place for all!

After a satisfying lunch we decided to all have a relaxing mid afternoon sit down at the local movie theater.  We almost had the theater to ourselves, but right before the movie started, a few more families came in.  Even so, passing the popcorn around, watching a movie, and being all together, was just a great, and still created memories!

After the relaxing afternoon out at the theater, we (the adults) all decided that our last BIG hurrah for our weekend getaway, was to take advantage of the main tourist attraction(The Water), rent a speed and let the kids have some water excitement!  

We also loved just hanging out on the pier spending time together!

 We are glad that Great Grandma E. was able to make the trip and explore with us as well!

Our few day stay in Lake Okoboji was truly memorable as we spent quality time with our family.  We had lots of fun playing, laughing, and hanging out together.  Before we departed ways and headed off in different directions towards our homes, we ate one more meal together.

It was really neat to have all the cousins together in one place! This does not happen too frequently, so we are very grateful to Grandpa and Grandma

for providing this fun filled little get away!

As we were heading back to NWA we stopped and looked at one final site in Omaha, Nebraska.  Since   it was around the 24th of July, (the day that the early saints of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, arrived in SLC, Utah after traveling across the country pursuing religious freedom) we thought it fitting to take a look at a sculpture park in down town Omaha.  This park was established to honor the courage of all the early pioneers that went out west.

It was a very hot day so we did not stay that long, but just long enough to ponder about the great faith our ancestors had, as they moved their belongings and families out to where they could worship freely. We are so grateful for their examples!