Ten Things We Loved About Nauvoo, Part One

We always do a "Top Ten" from our trips, but it seems wrong to do that with this trip as everything was quite wonderful! So, here are ten things we loved about our trip to Nauvoo, in no particular order!

#10 - Pioneer Pastimes

Not only are their lots of things to see in Nauvoo, there are lots of of things to do as well. One of our favorites was hanging out at Pioneer Pastimes. After we FINALLY got a picture of all the "kids" on stilts at one time,

they decided to have a race.
The boys quickly took the lead,

but I have to say that Camille never gave up! She kept on going till she reached the finished line, even though everyone else was long gone!

And who knew that some wooden teddy bears and two pieces of rope could be so much fun?

All the families that are preparing for the next week's pagent gather at the pagent site about an hour before it starts and teach you how to play period games. Camille tried everything, but in light of her recent struggles in the stilt race, she spent quite a bit of time with these kiddos...

who gave her some great tips on how to use these...

#9 - Hands-On Fun

Everyone told us that Nauvoo would be super crowded during the pagent, but it wasn't! We spent the better part of one morning enjoying the Family Living Center -and we had the whole place to ourselves. We learned how to weave rugs on a loom,
and we got to make a rope!

and may I just say... my children have made rope-making skills!

#8 - The Tours

We saw Joseph and Emma's home,

the Mansion House,

and the Red Brick Store,

where Camille did her best "Future Relief Society Teacher" impression in this famous room.

But our favorite tours were the ones where we learned about the saints... about their hard work,

about their sorrows (baby's gravesite),

about the stories behind the things we say ("sleep tight"),

about their businesses,

and their ingenuity (combination cradle and butter churner).

The gun shop and the history of Jonathan Browning was fascinating and a highlight for Brad and the boys,

and we all learned how to make our own wagon.

#7 - Nauvoo's Cultural Life

We enjoyed lots of plays while we were in Nauvoo, and we definitely had our favorites! Our award for best song goes to "Just Plain Anna Amanda" which Camille loved and the rest of us couldn't get out of our heads for the rest of the week!

Our award for best moment goes to this scene from "Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo" because before it started Adam said this play couldn't be as good as the last one because none of those old missionaries would be shimmying up the poles...guess he was wrong!

Our award for best skit goes to these guys at "Sunset on the Mississippi" who performed the famous "audition" skit. They were hilarious!

And best music goes to the fabulous Nauvoo Brass Band - especially the entertaining girl on the flute and the best percussionist we've ever heard - Elder Busath from Elk Grove.

#6 - Wide Open Spaces
One of the first things we noticed (and loved) about Nauvoo was all the wide open space. The historical part of town is set up just as it was then, with no more than four little houses on each acre lot, and no fences! Lots of room to roam - and to play frisbee!

I think the boys had this thing with them everywhere we went, and they made the most of it. And we had the BEST weather while we were there - a little muggy in the mornings, but nice afternoons and cool and breezy evenings!
To be continued in part two...