Nauvoo: Last Day

Thursday was our final day in Nauvoo. I was sad, but really not too sad because I'm planning on taking Ryan to visit on our way to Utah in May, but we were sure to make it another fun filled day. 

Ready for more picture overload?

Here we go!

Wait... but first. A quick story. The night before as we said our night prayers with everyone, Morgan prayed that we would have a sunshine day and that it wouldn't rain. And guess what. It was a beautiful day, no rain, relatively warm and a perfect last day in Nauvoo. Thanks kids for your amazing faith!

Okay, on with the show.

I asked Joan if we could go by the temple that morning and get some pictures. I figured the morning light would be perfect... well... I didn't think about where that sun would be... right in the way.

 It wasn't soo bad, but not the perfect lighting I was dreaming of. The temple was closed this week for cleaning... they were even cleaning the outside, so our photography had to be a little sneaky to block out the workers. 

This is a statue that was made to represent the feelings that Joseph and Hyrum had leaving their beautiful temple as they went to Carthage. It was beautiful and really portrayed the emotion they must have felt. 

After we let the kids run around and try a ba-zillion times to get a decent picture or two we headed over to the Wainwright and Blacksmith shop.   

At the Wainwright shop, we learned about how they made wagons and about the kinds of things they took with them to Utah.

The kids learned how they would be hired to oil the wheels and make sure they spun right.

The next room over was the Blacksmith shop, where Joan's dad, Elder Morgan was teaching about making horse and oxen shoes. Did you know that ox have two toes on their hoof? That they can move separately? I didn't... kind of interesting. 

He demonstrated what making a horse shoe would look like. 

And Sarah was thrilled when she got to keep it!!

Look how tiny and cute it is?

He even pounded out an even smaller one for Abby.

So, so small and cute!

We then heard the story of the Praire Diamonds and each got a ring.

We all felt so special with out little treasures we could take home. 

We then decided that we wanted to go on the carriage ride (we went on the wagon ride yesterday, but the carriage ride had more stories and took you to a different part of Nauvoo)

While we were waiting for the carriage we visited Joan's mom in the visitor's center. 

I have to share this cute little story. 

Sweet lil' Naomi kept wandering off, and over by the bathroom. I jokingly asked Abby to go get Naomi not thinking that she would understand, or be able to. The next thing I know Abby toddles over by Naomi, sweetly taked her hand and slowly walks back with her. It was so cute. My camera card filled up right after this crummy picture, but at least I got one. 

I just love it when my children do sweet little things like this. Of course after the big fuss the moms and Sister missionaries made, the girls kept doing it over and over again. Naomi would run away and Abby would keep bringing her back. Love it!

Here is just a cute picture of Abby in the carriage station waiting to ride.

I didn't get any pictures on the carriage ride, I'm a little bummed because it was beautiful. Guess, I'll have something to take pictures of when we come back in a few weeks. 

After we were done they let us come and meet the horse team, Max and King. It was their first day and they were a great team. 

Can you see how Sarah's face is just beaming? Makes me want to go live on a ranch so that she can be this happy all of the time. 

We had a little bit of left over time before dinner, so we headed back up by the temple to get a few more pictures with different lighting. 

The kids had fun running down this little hill. 

 Spring is one of my favorite seasons, and it was so nice to be out in some sunshine and to see these beautiful flowers. I love how the church takes such care of the Temple grounds. 

Later that night, after dinner we went to the play, "Rendezvous" that Joan's parents were in. It was so cute to see all of these Senior missionary couples preform a cute little play about old Nauvoo. 

I had such a wonderful visit. I'm so lucky that my sweet friend asked me to come along. She is a sweetheart and it was amazing to get to know her a little better and share the sweet spirit of Nauvoo with her. Thanks for letting us tag along Joan!

And thank you Elder & Sister Morgan (who Sarah & Abby called Grammy & Papa). We felt so loved and just like one of the family. I think my girls think that they inherited a new set of grandparents they love you so much. Thanks for your generosity and making space for all of us. We'll be sure to come and say hi on our way to Utah!!