Family Vacation: Nauvoo, Illinois July 2012

Day 1: On the Road

July 22, 2012

On our way through Oklahoma we passed by this interstate sign. Kirk stopped the car so I could get a good snapshot of it. I thought Daisy would really like it:)

Sweet Sisters

Jenna and Daisy playing while stopped at a reststop in Oklahoma.

 

Day 2

Independence, Missouri

July 23, 2012

Our first stop was the Independence Visitor's Center in Missouri. It was a wonderful place to learn about the history of the church.

And yes, Kirk had to try out the horse and wagon although it was only meant for smaller children.

This is one of my favorite pictures of our family during our vacation. It was also taken at the Independence Visitor's Center in Missouri.

Kansas City, Missouri Temple

We stopped off to visit the Kansas City, Missouri temple. It reminded me so much of the Kirtland Temple. It is only open certain days of the week. As you can tell it was not open when we visited. It was neat to find out that President Monson dedicated this temple a couple of months before our vacation.

 

Far West, Missouri

July 23, 2012

This is the site where the four cornerstones for the temple are placed.

Haun's Mill

There were only a couple of small markers that helped us find Haun's Mill. Most of the driving was done off-road.

Day 3

Mississippi River, Illinois

July 24, 2012

The water lillies on the Mississippi River were amazing. There were thousands of them along the whole riverbank.

Nauvoo, Illinois

July 24, 2012

Our family visited a lot of the sites in Nauvoo on the 24th and 25th of July.

However, for lack of space (and time) I am only posting a few of my favorite pictures.

 

Pioneer Pastimes

Mason and Daisy enjoying a wagon ride.

 

 

Jenna dressing up as a pioneer and playing with the dishes in a little log cabin.

 

I love this picture of Daisy. It looks so authentic.

 

Kaydee, Mason, and Hanna trying out one of the games at Pioneer Pastimes in Nauvoo.

Walking on stilts is so much more difficult than it looks.

 

Jenna taking a ride on the wooden sheep.

Day 4

Carthage Jail

July 25, 2012

Mason at Carthage Jail.

The original door that was in place when the mob shot through it and killed Hyrum Smith.

Daisy looking out the window where Joseph Smith fell from after he was shot.

The tour of the jail was done by a senior missionary couple. They did a wonderful job explaining everything that transpired in this historic place.

 

Nauvoo, Illinois

July 25, 2012

The center photo is a picture of Amasa Mason Lyman. This is who we named Mason after.

He was one of the 12 apostles to Joseph Smith.

We were able to go to the Land and Records office in Nauvoo and find the lot where Amasa Mason Lyman built his home. It was on the corner of Parley and Durphy streets. His home no longer exists, but it was a special experience to stand on the same spot where he once lived.

Family photo on the site of Amasa Mason Lyman's land.

 

Nauvoo Temple

July 25, 2012

Joseph and Hyrum Smith Memorial which stands just outside the Nauvoo temple. This is the spot where the brothers took one last look at Nauvoo before heading off to Carthage Jail.

Joseph and Hyrum Smith Memorial

Nauvoo, Illinois

Nauvoo, Illinois Temple

 

Trail of Hope

Nauvoo, Illinois

July 25, 2012

We enjoyed reading several of the quotes that mark the entire Trail of Hope.

 

Taking a picture of the kids while walking the trail.

We finally made it to the Mississippi River at the end of the Trail of Hope. I enjoyed taking pictures of Kirk and the kids against the river.

Frontier County Fair

Nauvoo, Illinois

July 25, 2012

This fair takes place several hours before the pageant begins. There were many fun activities for the kids to do.

Mason takes Daisy and Kaydee on a handcart ride.

The Nauvoo Pageant

July 25, 2012

Here we are waiting for the Nauvoo Pageant to begin.

The Nauvoo Pageant

Day 5 and 6

Traveling Home

July 26-27, 2012

Kirk pulled over so that I could take a picture of him in the cornfields. It was amazing how many fields of corn we passed while traveling to and from Nauvoo.

Wonderful Family Vacation!!