The big vacation of the summer: NAUVOO!!!

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Summer classes ended for me on August 4. After I was done taking my last final, Ben and I drove out to Montrose. On Friday August 5, Ben and I hopped in the van with my parents and Casey for a long drive out to the Mississippi! (and other places around there)

First we drove out across Colorado and Kansas. We stopped at a few places for dinner and breaks along the way, but other than that, we drove strait through the night.
Yummy Dinner!!! :)
Saturday August 6, we went to Independence Missouri, and Liberty Jail. We also drove past the temple being built in Kansas City Missouri. We went to Jamesport (my favorite Amish community ever! They have a really yummy bakery there, plus some really cool shops.), Adam Ondi Ahman, the "Field of Dreams", and Joe and Natalie's House in Kirksville. 
 Visitor Center's always have the coolest things to play with!





 Isn't this going to be a pretty temple!?
 If you've ever seen the movie "The Field of Dreams", then you know what I'm referring to. This baseball field was build out in the middle of a whole bunch of corn fields. It's not the real one that was used in the movie, but it is cool that they called it "The Field of Dreams." If you haven't ever seen this movie and you like baseball, I would highly recommend it. I grew up watching this movie. It's one of my Dad's favorites. 
 This is the bakery I was talking about. It is wonderful. They make everything from scratch and the cutest ladies work there. Every trip to Nauvoo, we'll stop in Jamesport and get something from this bakery. Last time (in 2007, I think) we got cookies. Casey got a big long hair in his and it was HILARIOUS! This time we kept teasing him about that hair he got in his cookie last time. Luckily his cookie was hair free this time. haha. 
 Cool buggies huh!
We were SO excited to stop by Joe and Natalie's place. It worked out perfect. My parent's dropped us off in Kirksville so we could spend Saturday night and Sunday with Joe and Nat. Joe and Ben stayed up talking 'til 2 in the morning, I think. I'm not quite sure cuz I went to bed long before that. On Sunday, we went to church with them. Ben went to Young Mens with Joe and I went to Young Womens with Natalie. They both taught the lessons and did a fantastic job. After church they gave us a little tour of the town and where they go to school and work, etc. After we came home and ate dinner, Joe drove us to the motel my parents were staying in (It was a little North of Nauvoo. I'm drawing a blank on the town's name right now).It was a quick little visit, but so wonderful to get to spend some time with them.
Monday August 8-Wednesday (morning) August 9: NAUVOO!Alright. Nauvoo is one of my favorite places ever! My Dad loves it too, so we've been there multiple times. This was my 5th time going and Ben's 1st time going. It was so much fun to get to show him around and introduce him to the fabulous town of Nauvoo!
 We went on the Wagon Ride with these cool horses!
 The HUGE Mississippi River! (With Montrose on the other side...Montrose, Iowa that is.)
 The Brick shop. 
 The Wheelwright and Blacksmith Shop.
 My mom and me in the room where the Relief Society was established. 

 Pioneer Games! I STINK at the stick pull. I lost to Ben, Casey and even my own Mom! But it was fun anyways. haha.
 Isn't he so cute dressed up in his Pioneer clothes? They had all sorts of clothes you could dress up in. I also had him dress up in a Pioneer dress and bonnet, but decided I would be nice and not post that picture. 
 Sunset by the Mississippi is one of my favorite parts of Nauvoo. All the Young Performing Missionaries and old(er) couple Missionaries put on the best performance that you will ever see in your entire life! I have seen it every time I've gone to Nauvoo and I've never stopped loving it. Wouldn't it be wonderful to go on a Mission one day to Nauvoo to be one of those cute old couples you see everywhere? I think it would be one of the best experiences ever.
 This old piano was in one of the old restored houses. Isn't it beautiful? 
 We were able to attend the Nauvoo temple while we were there. It was so wonderful to take a break from a bust vacation to spend some peaceful quiet time in the Lord's Temple. The Nauvoo Temple hold's a special place in my heart. The Saints build this temple long ago when the city of Nauvoo was established. When the saints moved west, mobs and and anti-mormons destroyed the temple. For years this temple lot was owned by the church with no temple built on it. I remember seeing this site years ago without a temple. When President Gordon B. Hinkley announced the building of this temple, I was ecstatic! My family and I were able to go to the Nauvoo Temple open house (Where everyone, member and non-members, are invited to come and see inside the temple before it is dedicated). This time was my 2nd time going back since the temple has been dedicated. This temple holds such a dear place in my heart because I have seen it grown from stage to stage and I love going to the temple! It is a wonderful place to be.

 The shoe shop!
 The Printing shop is one of my favorite places in Historic Nauvoo.
The Trail of Hope.



Wow! Ok. I think I've blogged enough for one day. I know I haven't finished my update from our vacation, but I will have to blog another time and finish telling the stories of our wonderful adventures. :)