Nauvoo the Beautiful

On Monday afternoon, after spending the morning at the Shedd aquarium in Chicago, we rented a car and followed Brigg and his family down to Nauvoo Illinois - where we spent all day Tuesday and into the early afternoon Wednesday in this historic and beautiful city.  We saw couple missionaries make rope, run a loom, make bricks, demonstrate horseshoe making along with prairie diamond rings, and visited several of the businesses and homes of the 1800's.  What an inspiring and testimony building time we spent together. Wednesday afternoon Marcie, Havalah and the two boys traveled back to Chicago to spend the night and catch a flight on Thursday morning back to Washington, while Brigg and Scott drove the car west!  They stayed nights in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Bozeman, Montana before arriving late Friday night in Lacey!

Admiring a beautiful statue of the Savior

Enjoying several modes of former day transportation

Brass and bagpipe bands played throughout the town

The beautiful Nauvoo Temple from the site of the pageant

Luke inspecting our horsepower before our carriage ride through the Nauvoo countryside

Maybe the Prophet Joseph rode his horse to this spot outside of town to ponder while looking at the Mississippi River

Two senior missionaries guided our carriage tour and told us wonderful stories - obviously these 3 were paying close attention!

Inspiring and grateful feelings we enjoyed at Carthage, site of martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum

Scott and Brigg took the camera west --on one particular day stopped 3 times:  to take a hike in the Badlands!; a delightful stop at Mt. Rushmore; and a late evening visit to the site of the Battle of the Little Bighorn

We felt very blessed in our travels - Brigg's car had a few problems and we know that there were many praying that we would make it make to Lacey safely, which we did.  Along with Marcie, Havalah and their two boys, it was wonderful to also be greeted here by Megan, Jeremy and their family who now live in Oregon!

Chicago!

Brigg, Havalah, Luke and Vincent drove from Morgantown West Virginia to Chicago where we met them to spend a few days together and had a blast!

Brigg and Luke at the Tower Fountain in Millennium Park, downtown Chicago

The famous "bean" in downtown

Luke's favorite place at the hotel!

Marcie T with our beautiful new grandson!

We spent several hours at the famous Shedd Aquarium and it was most worth it

Lake Michigan was just outside the aquarium - what a beautiful day

Even though we only spent half-day Saturday and half-day Monday in Chicago we really enjoyed it.  We also loved visiting one the the wards in Arlington Heights on Sunday!

Shakespear's in Oregon!

A week ago we went to Oregon to help Megan, Jeremy and their family move from Missouri to Oregon!  Yahwhooo!  We had a delightful time together - we played hard, we worked hard at getting their house set up, and enjoyed wonderful weather.  We celebrated the 4th of July with an early morning breakfast at the church, a small town parade where we all participated, several trips to the beach and loads of fun. Interesting that most of the pictures reflect the fun we had but we really did work hard also!

Dallen loved this dogs tail at the breakfast!

Hyrum in front of the POD that brought their belongings from Missouri

The city Parade in Gearhart

There is a picnic table on the front patio that we used often for meals!

Beach fun :)

We celebrated a birthday a little early with some great piñata fun!

Grateful we are for this wonderful country of ours

What a wonderful time we shared together!  Thanks for your Oregon hospitality!!