We took a trip to Nauvoo Illinios over Thanksgiving break to meet up with Jeffrey's parents. We were lucky to have time to stop in Chicago and hang out with our friends on our way. We met up at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. It was incredible! I love this picture of Sam and me. We're trying on some of the glasses they had in the gift shop.
Baby Ian and baby Calder. They were such good sports being trucked around the museum. :)
Olivia and Elliot in the tractor tire...sweet!
There were so many amazing things to look at, not the mention the submarine that the museum has in their basement. They had to put it in while they were building the museum and lower it down into the basement. We didn't get to go inside the sub, but I heard that it is a worthwhile experience.
The next day we arrived in Nauvoo. It was so nice to see Jeffrey's parents. We found a Thanksgiving day buffet, had dinner (thanks mom and dad!), and then headed to see the temple.
Jeffrey and I had a opportunity to come to this temple before we got married. This was the first temple I went through. It was a beautiful experience. My thoughts turned to my Grandma Richards since she was there with me in the temple along with my mom. I sure miss her sometimes.
I love how swinging seems to make everyone happy. What is it about swinging that we all love? Calder had a big grin on his face. It was so cute. By the way, just have to mention how good looking my husband is. I love this pose.
This is the spot along the Mississippi River that I, and a bunch of my friends from when I lived here in Nauvoo, jumped in the river in December. It was so freezing but fun. We used to have picnics on the dock down here too, but the dock is pretty much busted now. It was sad to see.
We had a good time going around the flats and learning how the pioneers lived and all the work they had to do just for basic needs. They made their own bricks for their homes, made all their food from scratch, made their own candles from animal fat, made their own rope, tin, horseshoes, rugs, barrels, guns, everything! They worked from sun up to sun down. It's incredible to think of all they accomplished. What faith they must have had to move and rebuild each time the saints had to leave a location and move on. I love church history. It always makes me so grateful for all the comforts I have. It also helps inspire me to have faith myself as I go through my own trials, even though my trials are quite different than theirs. My boys had a pretty good time. Their favorite part by far was being with grandma and grandpa and getting to ride with them in their rental car.
Here is a shot of Sam making rope.
Grandpa, Calder, and Piggy.
Elliot is standing in front of the sword that belonged to his Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandpa Willard Richards. Willard Richards was in the jail with Joseph Smith, Hyram Smith, and John Taylor when Joseph and Hyram were killed. It was a neat experience for Elliot and Sam to go to Carthage Jail where there were killed and to know that their ancestor had been there and tried to save his friends. He did save John Taylor's life who later became the 3rd prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is great to have such an amazing example of courage and faith.
This was the only group shot we got, but it's a cute one. You can see on the boys' faces that they had a blast. Thanks again to Grandma and Grandpa Allen for coming all the way out to Nauvoo to hang out with us!!
