Nauvoo!

We have been really lucky to live in a few different places. And some of those places have given us the opportunity to travel to some Church History sites.

For the last few years Chris' parents have volunteered at the Nauvoo Pageant and sine we live only a few hours away and Chris had a day off for Independence Day we decided to take a last minute trip up to visit. We had a great time and I am so glad I had the chance to go again. (I took a trip with the some roommates after the temple was rebuilt, but before it was dedicated, during the Open House. Chris hasn't been there since he was about 6 years old. it was a whole new experience for him.

We got there late Thursday night (we left after school on Thur.) So Friday morning we got up and headed down to Historic Nauvoo. We took a Wagon tour of Nauvoo. It was nice to get a quick glimpse of everything wiht the kids contained and entertained by the horses pulling the wagon, not to mention trying to spot all the wildlife.

We went to the brickyard and got a brick. Eli was running around crazy at that point. Luckily, we were the only one on the tour and we had such a nice tour guide. He just let Eli be the wild man he is.

We then went to Pioneer Passtimes. We were there a LONG time. The kids loved running around all dressed up.

We also went to the Blacksmith's and Kiah asked if they made bigger horseshoes (the demo was a small horse shoe) and for asking she GOT the horseshoe. We also got a set of "prairie diamond" rings. (Woohoo!)

We took a oxen pulled wagon ride.

Kiah as a little oxen girl.Eli didn't care for the oxen but he REALLY wanted to ride int he wagon. So I couldn't get to close to take pictures since I was holding him.

Friday night Chris and I saw a dress rehersal of the Pageant. It rained almost the whole time so we really only got to hear the dialog and see the costumes. The stage was pretty wet so they couldn't do the dancing full out and they didn't use any of the scrims. We got really wet, but had fun cuz we were out without the kids!!!!!! We also ate some frozen custard from Annie's. YUM-O. Holy cow, that may have been the best frozen dessert I have ever eaten. Better than Superior Dairy, and I know people will practically dig into the trash for that stuff (I love that story Michelle).

Saturday we saw "Just Plain Anna-Amanda." Kiah LOVED it. It was a lot of fun. Here is a clip from the pre-show

We also got the chance to poke around a bit in The Family Living Center. None of the pictures really turned out, but Kiah did get to help make some rope.

Chris and I were able to go to the Temple while the kids napped. Afterwards Gram and Papa took us on a bit of a tour of the happenings to make the Pageant successful. We spent some time in the costume shop and had a great time. It is impressive the number of costumes they have to maintain. The show runs for about 4 weeks. There is a different cast each week, with the core cast (the main speaking parts) staying the same. So every Monday a new cast comes in and gets oriented, photographed and badges made along with a costume fitting. They a rehearse for the week and perform them next week. Everyone has a minimum of 2 costumes. That is a LOT of costumes of EVERY size.

We met a lot of the people that make the pageant possible. It was really amazing. But maybe I am a bit more interested because I grew-up with theatre a part of my life.

We also saw "Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo." I wondered if it had "old" in the title because it was cast with senior missionaries. I didn't get to see much because Annalise was a bit to talkative to stay in the theatre. WE also saw "Sunset on the Mississippi" Another fun variety show.

We caught a few fireworks on the bluff in front of the temple. I think they must have been set off in Iowa (across the Mississippi.) We saw a few more as we drove back to Chris' parents condo. Because it was so wet and rainy they canceled the display that we were going to see. Luckily on Thursday night we stopped to get some gas and a fireworks stand near-by was shooting of a HUGE display. So we lingered a bit to watch.

Sunday morning we went to Church there in Nauvoo. There were SOOOOOO many people. It was unbelievable. They had Sacrament tables set-up in several places. It took quite some time to pass the sacrament. The entire chapel and cultural hall were filled with people on the stage and in just about every room.

We got a few more pictures, but they are on Grams' camera, so I will have to wait to post them.