Newson Family Reunion: Nauvoo

The Newson Family decided to do something different this year for our reunion; instead of everyone going to Grandma and Grandpa's house we decided to go to Nauvoo. 

Ben had school and work, so he was not able to come the entire time.  Thankfully Rachel drove down with the kids and I; and we caravaned with Ron, Nedra and Tobin.  It was a long two day drive but we stopped half way at a hotel (Elizabeth thinks hotels are the coolest).  Ben flew in and met us on Wednesday and then was able to stay the rest of the trip with us.  


I had never been to the middle of the US before and now I know why- it's hot and humid.  (Especially in JULY).  It was pretty uncomfortable the entire time, making me wonder why the Saints wanted to be there so much.  But it was worth the few days of discomfort to see all of the cool church history sites.

1. We went to a bunch of the different touristy history museums in Nauvoo.  It was fun to spend time with cousins and see how the pioneers used to live.

Horse Drawn Carriage

 

 

 

Learning to make rope.

 We also went to see a lot of the plays put on by the many missionaries.  Elizabeth loved seeing all the pioneer dresses; she thought they looked like princesses.

 We went to the big Nauvoo Pageant one night; it was hot, humid, buggy and really cool to learn history through a play. 

 

Sooo many bugs!

 The next day we drove to Carthage to see the jail where Joseph Smith was martyrd.  We went to a park there for a picnic and the kids got hot and sweaty running around.   The jail and visitor center were very cool.  It was interesting hearing the accounts of that night while being there in the room.  

 

 

 

In front of Carthage Jail

 

 

 

 In the historic 'old town' part of Nauvoo there are a bunch of different buildings that have been restored to look and feel like the businesses where when the saints lived there.  We got to go see printing presses, bakeries, blacksmith's, schools and so much more; there are older service missionary couples that work in these businesses and teach about them.

They got some rings bent out of nails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James got an ear infection while we were there.  We ended up taking him to the Dr and getting antibiotics; it was nice to have a happier and healthier baby towards the end.

 

 

 

 
One of the last nights they had a fun pioneer festival; with different activities to do and then a play at the end.  It was fun trying all of the different pioneer games and see another play that night.

 

 

They all learned to walk on stilts; it was super hard.  Ben did good but definitely isn't going to quit his day job.

 

 

 

 

 

Tug of War with the cousins

Ring Toss

 

 

Happy sweaty girl

 

 

 

 

 The family rented a big multi room house to stay in and so we were all able to stay together and have fun family time. 

 

One fun family thing is GAMES.  We brought a fun game called Pie Face; like Russian roulette but you get whipped cream thrown into your face- it was pretty funny. 

Family Pictures!!

Another really memorable part of the trip is that we were all able to go to the temple as Hannah and Jared got their own endowments out.  Both had mission calls to leave in the fall and it was so special to be there with them at that time.  (Thanks teenagers for watching the kids for us). 

As we were packing up and leaving Elizabeth said, "Wait, we didn't get to touch the temple!?"  This is the one thing that she kept saying she wanted to do, so we stopped there are got to walk around the temple grounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, before leaving, we went down to see the Mississippi River (wow it is wider than I ever imagined). 

 

 

 

On the way home we drove through Kansas and saw the WHAT historic site.  It was another museum about  the pioneers (and so nice to get out and stretch our legs).