Nauvoo day 1

We stayed at the Nauvoo Family Inn and Suites. I had reserved 2 rooms for our family, but there was a mix up on our day of arrival. We ended up staying in this bunk room which was pretty cool. It worked out to our advantage, seeing as how is was about $100 cheaper and our travel plans changed earlier than expected.

I woke up early on our first morning to go for a run, of course! I couldn't think of a better way to get to see a town than before the sunrise and on my own two feet. It was cloudy and there was thunder and lightning in the distance. Hardly anyone was out so early, so I really enjoyed myself. I ran through the streets, and down to the water along the Trail of Hope. I stopped to read all the journal entries from the early Saints. I loved having that time to myself. All too soon I had to get back to the hotel so that Beau could take his turn. It's only fair.

 We took a carriage ride around Nauvoo and listened to a Sister Missionary share stories and facts as we rode around. It was so relaxing to travel at such a slow pace. What a change!

                                     
 The Nauvoo Temple is so amazingly beautiful! When we drove into Nauvoo for the first time, we rounded a corner, not expecting to see it, and BAM! there it was!

 This is a replica of a flatboat that the Saints would have used to cross the Mississippi.

 A Pioneer Memorial that names over 2,000 names of Latter-Day Saints who died along the Mormon Trail. A bronze statue of Joseph Smith showing Brigham Young the way west.

 After our horses worked so hard to pull us around Nauvoo, we were able to thank them personally.

 We strolled through the Women's Garden that had bronze statues depicting various roles of a woman. This statue is of Joseph Smith giving Emma Smith a small amount of money to support the poor through the Relief Society.

"In the family circle"

“And they shall also teach their children to pray, and walk uprightly before the Lord.”
D & C 68:28

"In her mother's footsteps"

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6

"Joyful Moment"

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord…”
Psalm 127:3

"Preparing Her Son"

“My son, keep they father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.”
Proverbs 6:20

"Courtship For Eternity"

“…neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 11:11

Petting the oxen before we went for a bumpy ride. They were huge, and so gentle!

Have to hold on the the horns....they're sharp and you don't want them poking you!

This wagon was altered somewhat to allow for passengers, but it was roughly the size of what the pioneers would have used. Hard to imagine that a family would be able to take everything they would need for the journey for everyone in their family, AND a small amount of goods to get them settled on the other end.

By far, the Pioneer Pastimes was the HIT of the trip! The kids loved the costumes, props, games, and atmosphere. I liked that it was in the shade with a nice breeze blowing through. Illinois is no joke in the summer!

 The heat didn't stop Beau and Abi from trying some of the games. The stilts were a lot of fun.

Beau was pretty good at the hoop roll. Abi had trouble, but she kept on trying!

Eliza found the best way to cool off.

The climbing bear was fun for everyone to try.

Sariah mainly crawled around and tasted everything she could get her little hands on.

The Nauvoo Brass Band came by and marched around while playing. They encouraged the kids to join in. Everett fashioned a bayonet out of something, and went around.

Abi couldn't resist the music.

The missionaries had no problem getting Eliza to dance. She loves music!

Zach, on the other hand..... well, he just sat there. Even when this trumpet player was playing just for him, he just ignored her, hoping she would go away.

The little cabins were a hit with the little girls.

The Family Living Center provided nice respite from the heat, along with more fun activities! The kids helped make rope, and were pleased to take a sample home.

The spinning wheel was just for display, but when the Sister Missionary saw how disappointed Abi was when she was told she couldn't spin wool, she let Abi have a whirl. Abi quickly realized just how difficult it was. She thought it would be a piece of cake.

We had to stop and take a picture in front of the temple.

The sun was bright.

After such a busy morning and early afternoon, we went back to our hotel (which was 2 minutes away! LOVED that!) and everyone laid down to take a nap. Well, I did laundry while everyone else took a nap. We were resting up for our evening activity.

The show Sunset on the Mississippi is usually outdoors, overlooking the Mississippi River. Hence the title. However, when the temperature is above 100 degrees, they move the show indoors. Well, it was well over 100 degrees, so we were fortunate to be inside in a cool building. We arrived early, and got fabulous seats in the middle, and close to the front. First off was the brass band playing. WOW! These young people certainly are talented. Our kids were amazed, and it was impossible to keep them in their seats. They wanted to dance!

The skits put on by the missionaries were so hilarious!! These gentleman were singing about mosquitoes, and kept hitting each other during the song. Everett was cracking up.

These men were singing about mustaches. It was hard to understand the words, but their actions were funny.

There were other skits, music, and dancing. It was a night that we will not soon forget. We left the auditorium with sides hurting because we laughed so hard. We talked about it the rest of the night. It was the best show we had ever been to.