Nauvoo, IL

Two weekends ago we drove down to Nauvoo, IL to meet up with our good friends Ben and Chelsea. Chelsea and I went to high school together and then were roommates at BYU. Now they live in Iowa where Ben is going to school. We both drove and met in Nauvoo. It was a great weekend. We enjoyed touring all of the historical homes of our church leaders. We enjoyed the presentations at the Family Living where we learned what life was like for the saints in the 1800s. They had to work so hard to make everything from candles, pottery, rugs, quilts, food, etc. It made me realize how lucky we are to go to the store to buy anything we need. One of the highlights of the trip was to do a session in the Nauvoo temple. We took turns watching each other's child so we could each do a session. It was absolutely beautiful inside. I had the opportunity to tour the temple during the open house in 2001 and it was so neat to go back with Tom. The last day we were there we drove to Carthage to see where Joseph Smith and his brother were martyred. We had a wonderful trip and my testimony of Joseph Smith was strengthened. I realized how lucky I am to be a member of the church. We wish we had been able to stay longer as we were not able to see all that Nauvoo has to offer. But it was a neat experience.

*Unfortunately Ainsley broke our camera the second morning of the trip, so Chelsea was kind enough to send me her pictures from the last two days. Thanks Chels, you're the best.

Knight Street, which was named after my ancestorsAinsley and her new friend BlakeLearning to make a rope at the Family Living Center
Walking through historical homes is kinda hard for a toddler who wants to touch everything, so we kept Ainsley occupied by pointing out all of the baby items. We would walk into a room and she would immediately find where the dolly slept. She loved it.

Taking a carriage ride around Nauvoo

In front of John Taylor's home, the post office, and the printing office

This missionary made Ainsley a horseshoe at the Blacksmith Shop

Tom and Ben and the kiddos

Tom and Ben loved the Browning Gun Shop, these are cases of original guns made by Browning

Some activities that showed what life was like for the Saints in Nauvoo during the 1800s such as pottery making, candle making, rope making, weaving, barrel making, cooking, etc.
We watched each other's kids so we could each do a session at the temple. It was really nice.

Ainsley and Blake loved hanging out together, in fact she cried when we told her that Blake had gone home.

The Red Brick Store owned by Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith's Mansion home

The Smith Homestead

At Carthage Jail

Thanks Ben and Chels, we had a great trip! It was so fun to see you!