Holbrook's and Nauvoo day 1

We were so happy and lucky that Morgan's family lived right on the path between Kirtland and Nauvoo. We spent a few days catching up and playing with cousins. Morgan fed us and had a bonus Easter Egg hunt and signed the kids some spots at the free LEGO workshop. Griffin still talks about his free LEGO set. It was a little dream come true for him.

 So sad to say goodbye. And then say goodbye again when we turned around and drove back to pick up my facewash.

 We started out the day in Nauvoo at the temple and the grounds. One day Spencer and I will have to go back and go into this temple, but that didn't fit into our family trip this time.

 

 

 After going through the visitor's center we got in line for the carriage ride. It was so fun and I love hearing about this unique mission call. The men who were called to be teamsters would spend all day taking care of the horses or oxen and giving tours and their wives would rotate through the different sites and homes in Nauvoo. The horses were bought from the Amish and "converted" to the gospel and now worked in companionships with their fellow horse and even had "P- days"

 They had blankets we could borrow because the tour was COLD

 Oxen ride

 

  We visited the bakery of course

 Isn't this Sister perfect for the Scovil Bakery?

  The Family Living Center had tons of stations. This is the rope making area. We also visited the bread making area because the bread smelled amazing and the samples were huge.

  We enjoyed the Trail of Hope walk along the same street the Saints took as they left their beloved Nauvoo and crossed the Mississippi River. It was very touching for me to spend that time thinking of all they left behind but still looked forward with hope and faith.

    We took turns reading these quotes

 My favorite quote. We hope President Woodruff can see that we remember the sacrifices of the Saints.

 

 Our very own Whiting ancestors who did not reach the final destination in Utah

 Joseph Smith's mantle fell to Brigham Young who had the task of leading the church members westward.

 Then the kids wanted to touch the Mississippi River and take some pictures of it.

 

 We went to the wainwright and blacksmith shop to learn about making wagon wheels and horseshoes. We even got our own little horseshoe to take home. We noticed the missionaries are always busy stocking up on the souvenirs that guests get to keep. In the "off season" they bake all the gingerbread cookies, pound out horseshoe nail rings, make little horseshoes, make and fire bricks and wind rope. I love that most of these missionaries are able to produce products right before your eyes.

 We visited the John Taylor home and the attached Post Office and Printing Shop

 After visiting Grandin in New York the kids were professional printers

  The graves of Joseph Smith Jr, Hyrum Smith and Emma Smith

 We ended the day at the Monument to Women Memorial Garden.

 Quinny loved pressing all the buttons to hear quotes and stories

 Same same

Then we ate dinner and got back to the hotel with energy to spare- yay!