Dad's Family Reunion in Nauvoo

17 July 2006: Ah, Summer! That wonderful time of year when families all over the country decide to have reunions. Such was the case with Dad's family this year, and so we bought our tickets and flew off to Nauvoo, Illinois, to join in the fun. After surviving two flights and a very hot layover in Chicago, we arrived in St. Louis that night. Uncle Joe picked us up and took us to his house for the night, where Grandma and Grandpa were staying, too.

18 July 2006: We divided ourselves up between Grandpa's rental car and Uncle Joe's van and set off on the four hour road trip up to Nauvoo. Four years before Mom had been in eastern parts with her parents, and so the greenery along the way brought back good memories, which helped her cope with the conversation burden of entertaining a 17 month old girl fluent in gibberish while helping the driver stay awake as the other passengers slept. We stayed at the Nauvoo Family Inn and Suites. We'd heard that our room would have a kitchen, and so we stocked up on some supplies at the commissary at Scott Air Force base before we left; it pays to have a brother in the Air Force. :) That evening we all went to the pageant. Mom doesn't remember whether Amanda slept through it, but at any rate she was nice enough to let Mom & Dad enjoy the production.



19 July 2006: We saw some of the sights in historic Nauvoo, including the Browning gun shop, pictured below, along with the blacksmith shop and the brickyard. Mom seems to recall Dad seeing a few more things while she stayed at the hotel for nap time, but then again Mom could be imagining it.


20 July 2006: On our last full day in the Nauvoo area, we all went on an excursion to Carthage Jail. Those familiar with LDS Church History will recognize the significance of the room pictured bleow, the site of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith. A special but rather sober outing, to say the least. However, cheer returned as we ducked into the Dairy Queen across the street after the big family picture session.


21 July 2006: The morning of the last day came, and it was time to fly home. Just to say we'd seen it, albeit from afar, Mom snapped this picture of the St. Louis arch as we drove past on our way to the airport.
Summary of the trip: Great to be with family, and great to see so many church history sights. Mom got to attend the Nauvoo temple with sisters Laura and Karen, which was a most enjoyable experience. Dad got to go later with the rest of the family, too; we girls snuck off to an early session so that we'd be available for childcare while the others were gone. The slight negatives of the trip: 1) Humid heat . . . ugh! 2) Long flight with small child; we survived, BUT . . . All in all, great reunion, though, and thanks so much to Uncle Ed for putting it together!