Monday, July 7, 2008

SUMMER TRIP PART 1








I've decided to blog a little here and a little there. First, it was a wonderful 2 1/2 weeks! We started out driving to Nauvoo, IL. Our 1st night (and the first photo) was in Tucumcari, NM - a little town on Route 66. The next day we made it to Topeka, KS. The boys enjoyed getting in to these towns early enough for dinner and time to swim at the hotel. The next day, Wednesday, we were headed to Nauvoo. The second photo shows the flooding we saw in Missouri. Just 1/2 hour before we were to be in Nauvoo - WE WERE DETOURED!!! Picture three shows where we crossed the Mississippi between Keokuk and Hamilton. Just a couple of days earlier you couldn't cross at this spot. We were very fortunate with our timing! We spent Wednesday and Thursday nights here and the boys enjoyed more swimming at our hotel. We didn't visit as much of Nauvoo as I wanted to, but I let the boys guide us. I wasn't about to force them to sightsee my way - I know when I'm outnumbered! We did walk down Parley St., went on the ox cart ride, visited the blacksmith shop (Asher was the lucky one who left with the mini horseshoe that was made in the demonstration), the printing shop, John Taylor's home, the bakery, the brickmaker, the seventies hall to see "Just Plain Anna Amanda" and the Nauvoo Temple. Oh, and we did see all the Statues near the visitors center. I remembered them very well from when they were dedicated in 1978 - the only other time I've been to Nauvoo! Kyler decided he needed to be in the photos with the statues...and then he decided that he and his brothers were going to mimic the statues. Colton and Asher were very good sports, except when I was taking video of them playing ring around the rosie in front of "Joyful Moment". Kyler yells at Asher "You're not doing it right!" Please enjoy this video (below) as much as I have! There is one thing my children always LOVE about visiting places - THE GIFT SHOP! Souvenirs are a very big part of our vacation! Colton was interested in buying the Star, Sun and Moon pillar, Asher bought the pillar as a pendant and Kyler bought ninja rubber ducks. Yes, you read correctly, NINJA RUBBER DUCKS and a DRAGON AND KNIGHT SET OF RUBBER DUCKS! I kept thinking - I've driven all this way to buy rubber ducks - and then I saw it. Another nativity to add to my collection.....THE RUBBER DUCK NATIVITY! If you visit my home in December, be sure to check out the ducky creche in the boys bathroom. (if you know me, you know i'm not joking!) Well, this is all for part 1 - enjoy the photos and video!

4 comments:

Emily Ferrell said...

Looks like so much fun. I can't believe you got Asher and Colton to pose for those statue pictures. Those pictures are priceless.

La Famille B said...

The statue pictures are perfect! And how much fun was the ox cart ride?! I can't wait to see more pictures!

Jen Hakes said...

Your older boys were REALLY great sports I have to say. Those memories will last forever.

La Famille B said...

hey, did you have the threading water punch (the cutie hole scallop one) that i used on my latest pages? let me know.