Family Reunion Part 1: Nauvoo

Day 1 of Nauvoo was spent at the Visitor's Center and walking to different parts of the town. 

Easton really loved the statues of Jesus and walking around the garden. 

We went into different shops and places that showed you how the pioneers lived back then, including the brick house, the blacksmith, the family living center (which showed how they made ropes, candles, bread, & weaved rugs)

Then we dressed up like pioneers and played pioneer games. 

We also took a wagon ride through the country, where every single kid fell asleep! Score 1 for the tour guide!

Then we ended going down to the river to see where the saints crossed the Mississippi. It was very nostalgic and heart-warming. It was also bittersweet to see all the names of those who didn't make it to Utah and those who sacrificed for our religion. 

Day two we did a tour of the Joesph Smith Nauvoo house, the mansion house, and the homestead where different Smith's lived. We also visited the Smith Family grave site, all of which were very humbling to see and walk through. 

Jameson also got to try some very tasty "Joseph Smith root beer"

Later that night we went to the county fair that was going on before the Nauvoo Pageant started. They had all sorts of fun activities like baseball, stick pull, log cutting, arts and crafts, baseball, puppet show, and hand-cart pulling. Easton could not have had more fun at all of the activities! Gavin was more of just an observer and just wanted to walk around everywhere. 

Also, prior to the pageant as we were doing tours Easton had been asking about Joseph Smith. He kept telling us he wanted to meet Joseph Smith and we tried to explain to him that he wasn't alive anymore. (Especially when we visited his grave site) Well, then the night of the pageant the man who played Joseph Smith was walking around. Easton got really excited when he saw him, but then when we went up to take a picture with him he was really shy and wouldn't even talk to him. It was so funny. 

Day 3 we spent some time swinging on the giant rope swing by our cabin we rented. Then we spend the morning in downtown Nauvoo walking the shops, going to the fudge shop (of course) and going to the temple. We also got to do sealings in the temple on Day 2 in the afternoon before the pageant. Awesome experience I will never forget!

Easton loved seeing the Nauvoo temple.  He told me it was beautiful and talks about going back again. 

Bailey and Gavin

Too cool for his own good

My little cheeser

Gavin and Shiloh (cousins closest in age)

All the cousins

After we left Nauvoo, we stopped for lunch in Carthage and did a tour there. The building you see in the picture here is Carthage Jail and the only picture I got here. This tour was probably one of my favorites, despite the cranky kiddos who were ready for a nap. They definitely passed out on the way back to St Louis!

Next Up: Family Reunion Part 2!