Yesterday we visited Nauvoo. Visiting Nauvoo has accidentally become something of a tradition for our family. Two years ago, as chronicled in this blog, we made something of a tour of a country visiting different physics programs, we made a stop at Nauvoo for a couple of hours. It was during March, so not all of the attractions we available at that time. Last year, we visited Nauvoo for the wedding of Susie's sister, Renee. This summer, I am working at Fermilab, Illinois. Since Nauvoo is only about 4 hours away, we took advantage of the opportunity to make another visit.
When I take pictures, I'll end up taking more than a couple self portraits. It's just something that tends to happen when I a camera in my hands. I don't normally post such pictures, but Susie chose the pictures that are in the post and she added it.
Sorry anonymous person in the background. After arriving in Nauvoo, we had lunch then did our first activity -- a horse drawn wagon ride. These horses were very impressive. The two of them were able to draw both a large wagon and about 30 people.
Braxton finally lost his first tooth. You can see the new one coming in. It actually erupted behind his baby tooth before he lost it.
The wagon ride was a blast and the horses names were Nephi, and Lehi. Braxton said that he was glad that the horses names were not Laman and Lemuel. He wouldn't want them leading us through the groves.
Tavin was very excited to climb on everything. This was just too cute to pass up.
This was the first time that we saw the pioneer children's activities. There were pioneer clothes available for dress up and a large of variety of games. Tavin decided he wanted to wear a "cowboy" hat. In this picture, he is showing off his cute face.
Braxton is rocking this vest and cap combo. He sure is cute! He ended up the cap worn backwards for a good amount of time.
Amongst the pioneer games available was this Jacob's ladder.
Braxton was excited to show off this yoke.
Tavin loved being a cowboy. He claimed the rope we had made at a previous activity. He is lassoing rings from another game.
Braxton was able to take at least one step with these on. Man it was hard! We all gave it a try.
We were able to get tickets to a play called "The Promise" presented at the Visitor's center. There a number of shows that are presented throughout the day. Apparently, if you want to be able to get tickets to many of them you have to call earlier than the day before. The actors in the play are all called and set apart missionaries who serve at Nauvoo for three months in the summer.
We had dinner right before attending the country fair and the Nauvoo pageant. We ate pretty well -- A meal of chow main and rice cooked on our camp stove. Nothing makes a vacation more fun then being filled with good food.
Real Food!
This should have been our first clue that we were getting close to wearing everybody out. After everybody had shoveled down the substantial dinner we had prepared, we broke out the hotdogs and continued to eat. We even made toast.
Starting about an hour and a half before the start of the Nauvoo Pageant, there is a country fair. It is pretty large event with a multitude of different activities available. In this picture Braxton has already defeated Tavin and a stick pull and has now been challenged by mom. Mom ended up defeating him, but was in turn defeated when she unwisely challenged dad.
Everybody had a chance to both pull and ride the handcart. We ended as everybody worked to pull dad in the cart.
These crosscut saws were incredibly sharp. We told not to try pressing the saw into the wood, but to just alternately pull it towards ourselves. The saw dust was soon flying.
Our visit to Nauvoo turned out the be a great success. We really enjoyed the pageant. We must have worn the boys out however. Both of them were asleep within minutes of getting in the car. We arrived back at the house at 3 AM.
