Nauvoo Reunion Day 5

Today is our last day, which makes me kind of sad. The kids have had a blast and so have Mike and I. Mike made a comment that Nauvoo wasn't really anything he ever had a desire to see, but he is very glad we did.

We did the visitors center this morning then met up with everyone at Pioneer Pastimes except Joey's family.  The kids really enjoyed the games and dressing up, and Mike really enjoyed the ring toss game and stilts.

From there we all headed to Pizza Hut in Keokuk where there was a lunch buffet. After lunch Mike and I took the kids to the Oxen ride before they closed them down for the day.  That was pretty fun too.

From there we headed back to the Pioneer Pastimes so Mom could watch the kids while Mike, Cherstin, Dan and I took the Community of Christ tour of Joseph Smiths home and red brick store.  Mike and I both felt the Spirit leave when we literally went into their area of Nauvoo, and I commented on how even though their beginning history of Joseph Smith is the same it still felt like a "story" they were telling us. 

Anyway, we got back to Mom and the kids and there had been a band and a parade that Emily participated in.

Mike and I had dinner to prepare in a hurry.  We had spaghetti, salad, and rolls.  After we all ate fast we headed to a play called Sunset on the Mississippi.  It was fun, and the kids enjoyed it, well maybe not Mordecai since he fell asleep sitting up.

We played games late into the night, and then headed back to the hotel.  On our way back Mike and I were talking about what our favorite part has been and I added that it has just been nice to be with my family who are all doing what is right and that as of now we can all be together forever. I know it isn't a guarantee but I can't imagine things changing ever, and I know it is a very rare things now days that we have all been sealed in the Temple (Felicia and Tom in November) and are all active. Love my family!!! 





Nauvoo Reunion Day 4

We missed church this morning since we overslept.  We met up with the rest of the group and went and did the quarry overlook, blacksmith shop (which I thought was very interesting) where they made a tiny horse shoe which Carlie got, but gave to us.  We also got prairie diamond rings which the kids love. 

We met back at camp for PB&J's and then went and saw Lucy Mack Smith's home.  W stayed late playing games and stuff and were going to stay for the Trail of Hope, where the missionaries walk the path of the exodus performing vignettes of those that were here, but our kids were done so we headed back instead.

Nauvoo Reunion Day 3

This morning we all met at Carthage Jail. Before our tour we took pictures in our shirts and bonnets/hats.  It was just the Bainbridge Family on the tour since there is 39 of us.  The Monday before we came here we had and FHE on the events that took place here and I hope at least my kids understood the importance and felt the Spirit.  I know Mike and I did.

After the jail we all bombarded a Dairy Queen for lunch.  I think they handled us pretty well. From there we headed back to the hotel so the majority of the family could go swimming and Ruby could have a hearty nap.  Mom came up to my room for a bit while she napped so we had a good chat.

The men and the youth then headed out to the Temple to do baptisms for the dead while the wives and younger kids hung out at the campsite.  It has been fun to visit with my sisters and sisters in-laws.

Felicia and Tom hosted dinner of hot dogs and s'mores and the kids loved it.  After dinner we had our family devotional with family skits, primary songs and storied of Mike's and Dan's pioneer histories.  I thought it was neat that 2 out of 12 of Joseph Smiths body guards 2 of them came from our current family lines. James Allred (Mike's ancestor) and another was Dan's.

Felicia and Tom head back to Provo tomorrow, and I think after church and such we will visit some more of the home since it is supposed to be cooler.

*I have pictures of us all in our bonnets, but Cherstin needs to send them out. So when she does I will post them*

Nauvoo Reunion Day 2

These are pictures of how wiped out our kids were this morning.

It is SOOOO HOTTTT!  I can't believe the rest of my family is camping. Mike and I feel bad for them. We met up with my family at Wendy's in Keokuk, Iowa about 11:30 a.m. Then from there we dropped off our stuff at our hotel, Baymont Inn and Suites, and then drove 15 more minutes into Nauvoo.  We met most of the family and visited lots of homes.  It was so hot so it was a nice reprieve to be in the air conditioned buildings.  Only our family would have the luck of picking a reunion time in record breaking temps, like 104 degrees. We went swimming this evening and I think we overloaded the pool. Ha Ha.

Nauvoo Reunion Day 1

We headed out about 6:50 am this morning.  The older kids traveled well with watching movies and playing ipods and the such.  Ruby, not so much.  She started out fine, but she fell asleep before lunch so she screamed until we stopped for lunch which wasn't for about another hour.  We are in West Des Moines, Iowa at a La Quinta Inn.  This is actually mine and Emily and Mordecai's 3rd time staying here, and Mike's 2nd.  We really like this particular hotel. We have 3 more hurs until we meet up with the family tomorrow. I know we are crazy for stopping, but Ruby was nuts.

4th of July 2012

Our celebration wasn't so big this year since we have had fires galore! We attended our ward 4th of July breakfast at Ryan park (the park behind Ryan Elementary), then we headed home so Mike and the kids could help out an elderly lady in our ward and I finished the last minute cleaning and packing for our trip to Nauvoo tomorrow.  When it cooled down a bit Mike and I took the kids out to do snaps and pull string toys.  This year was a hit for them and even though we had firework bans on fireworks with flames we let the kids do some sparklers.  I saw this cool idea on pinterest where you take a big plastic solo cup and poke a hole in the bottom. Then the kids slide the sparkler into the whole and hold the stick from inside the cup. It is perfect for my kids since they freak out that they will burn the hand but the cup prevents that since their hand is inside the cup. Tomorrow we are hoping to leave bright and early.  We will see if that happens.