Collin and Stefani: Anniversary Trip

Our anniversary this year was on a Wednesday. The day was spent with Collin working hard at school, having alfredo for dinner, and going to a childbirth class at night. Lucky us! Sounds fun doesn't it?! BUT luckily we were able to go down to Nauvoo for the weekend! We had so much fun! I drove down so Collin could study since he had 3 tests the following week. But somehow he slept instead of studying.... that's okay cause he needed that too. He works so hard in school and he has a wife who likes to stay up talking to him instead of letting him go to bed early. I just love my husband and want to talk to him all day long what can I say! But our hotel was in Burlington, IA which is only half an hour from Nauvoo. This time of year you do not want to stay in or near Nauvoo since lots of LDS families go there for summer vacations and the hotel prices are ridiculous. Burlington was far enough away though that we got a nice place to stay for a normal price so that made it even better! We checked into our hotel and then drove to Nauvoo to help with security for the pageant. That's right, Collin and his 8 month pregnant wife helped do security for the pageant. It was easy though. all we were asked to do was stand by the front of the stage and make sure nobody went on stage - which they didn't. We were up there for 2 hours before it started and when I was finally able to sit down I didn't think I'd be able to get back up. My back, hips, and feet were VERY tired and sore! The pageant was great. Nauvoo was lucky this year and got to have the British Pageant there performing on Wed & Fri. Well we happened to be doing security on a Friday so we got to see the British Pageant. It was really cool! It was about how the church got started in Great Britain. They even had a few cast members play the lead roles from Great Britain. That made it extra cool! But when it started there was lightning all around. A few weeks earlier the pageant had to be cancelled for the first time ever due to lightning so I was afraid that was going to happen again. Luckily it stayed all around us until the last half hour. They stopped the pageant and had everyone go under canopies, trees, or in their cars until the storm passed. It started raining really hard but only lasted for about 30 min. It was cool though cause the canopy by us (we were under a tree) had everyone singing hymns! There was probably over 50 people singing hymns - and in all 4 parts!! It was pretty impressive! Once the rain was done they started up where they left off. It kinda put a damper on the Spirit that was there, but it was still really cool! After the pageant we had to hang around up front for a little while to make sure nobody but cast members went up on the stage. We then went back to the hotel and slept so good!!!!
We woke up the next morning and got ready to go to the temple. We had a nice breakfast at the hotel. We didn't have to check out of our hotel until 11 so we just hung out there for awhile so Collin could study more. We went back to Nauvoo and went down to where the pageant was to save some seats for the Nauvoo pageant that night and then went to the temple. We quickly had a little bit of food before we went inside though. Collin made some sandwiches before we left our house on Friday so we could save some money. We took our sandwiches and water and had a little picnic on the temple grounds - hopefully that was ok! We weren't too hungry but it was 12 and we knew we wouldn't be back out of the temple for awhile. After our quick snack we went and did some Sealings and then we met some friends for an Endowment Session. It was great being in the temple and we are so glad we get to go to the Nauvoo temple! It is beautiful!!! And with being parents in just a month, we are grateful for how easy it is to go to the temple when there are no kids. Going to the temple will no longer be easy to do!! After the temple we all went to get some dinner. We went to a little bakery in Nauvoo. Then the other people we were with had to go help with security for the pageant that night and Collin and I needed to find a picture of the Nauvoo temple for the baby's room, so we split up for just a little bit. Collin and I walked around Nauvoo for a little bit, with me kinda complaining about how long of a walk it was (really it wasn't, I was just tired from the night before). We found a temple picture and then decided to go watch a quick little play that the missionaries in Nauvoo do called Sunset at the Mississippi. It's not really a play more like a talent show to make people laugh. We sat down but then Collin's stomach was not happy and he had to head to a bathroom. He was gone for about 30 min before he came back somewhat feeling better. Although for part of it he did lay down on some grass and take a nap, which I'm sure helped tons! After Sunset at the Mississippi was over we went over to the pageant since it was starting in about 45 min. Thankfully we had saved some seats beforehand. The weather was great that night with not even a cloud in sight, although it did make it a little warmer. The Nauvoo pageant was also very good. I like the Nauvoo one better, Collin likes the British one better. After the pageant we drove 2 hours back home.
It was so nice spending the weekend with each other! We are so grateful for the covenants we have made and for our temple sealing 3 years ago. I'm so glad I get to be with Collin for all of eternity!! He is the greatest guy in the world and I wouldn't trade him for anything! I love him more than anything in the world and I'm glad I get to have him as my best friend, husband, and eternal companion!