Nauvoo as Pioneer Children.

15-16 April 2016

This Spring Dad & I decided that we wanted to have a more authentic pioneer experience in Old Nauvoo with you kids.  We booked a log cabin, packed some totally-reaching-but-trying-to-be-old-fashioned snacks (trail mix and gummy worms) for the ride and listened to Little House on the Prairie on the way.  I went and did a session in the Nauvoo Temple (I ended up quietly talking to sister in the Celestial Room who was from Idaho.  It was interesting to hear how the Lord has led her & her family over the years).  Then we met up with each other, walked around the beautiful blooming grounds of the visitors' center, got our picture taken by the special Christus statue and then drove over to where we'd be staying for the night, in the Sanders' Cabin.  We just loved how authentic it felt, other than the modern conveniences of indoor plumbing, electricity and a refrigerator, which we greatly appreciated ;0)  I had planned our meals and PJs and clothing and everything to be as pioneeresque as possible.

You kids LOVED the porch swing and could have swung all evening :0)  After putting together supper (stew with muffins and cantaloupe) and having peach cobbler & vanilla ice cream for dessert, we headed out to see some of the sights.

We of course had to stop by the Old School House where Sister Apperson (she was so sweet to make us heart-shaped gingerbread cookies) was serving for the evening.  Brie had skipped most of school on Friday so we snapped some pictures of her at this school to send to Mrs. Goelitz.  Afterwards we got a brick from the brick yard then wondered along Main Street, seeing the beautiful temple at dusk and enjoying the pleasant weather.

Here you all are piled in Mom & Dad's bed the next morning before heading in for flapjacks, potatoes o'brien, sausage and hot cocoa for breakfast. (Mind you that I bought everything for dinner & breakfast premade so that we could have "authentic" food without spending all of my time in the kitchen.)

While Dad was working then at the temple you kids & I went to the Black smith shop, bought hats for the boys, went on a few wagon rides, and watched a video in the theatre. 

 Lij I couldn't help but snap several pictures of you with your little leather hat.  You cutie pie.  I love the way you love animals and were so excited about petting the horses.  And at one point, after the oxen wagon ride, you were hot and tired and were fussing in the middle of the road about not wanting to walk anymore.  I couldn't help but think of all of the pioneer children who crossed the plains and wondered how many similar moments young mamas had with their little children.  How hard that must have been.  I don't know how they persevered day in and day out.  Now THAT is faith!

In any case, it was such a lovely weekend in Nauvoo.  I loved feeling more a part of it as we tried our best to fit in to the pioneer life.  I feel more and more like we have so much to learn from our ancestors from that time period.  I so wish that I could find journals documenting their struggles, lessons learned, promptings, joys and hardships.  Maybe one of these days I will, with God's help.

Route 66.

"Now you go through saint looey 

Joplin, missouri, 

And oklahoma city is mighty pretty..."

9-13 November 2013

With Stillwater, Oklahoma being less than 9 hours away we decided to make a family road trip of Bry's campus visit.  Saturday morning we picked Bry up from the airport and drove directly to Ben & Ashley's in Springfield, Missouri.  It is ALWAYS wonderful to see them.  It was even more wonderful being there as they prepared to welcome their new six year old son into their home!!!!  We are thrilled for them :0)  Thanks for hanging out with us even when it wasn't super convenient.  Glad we could play a little part in helping to get ready for Deven.  What a special time. 

Sunday, after attending sacrament meeting, we hit the road and drove all day.  (Not a fan of the turnpikes!)  We got to Stillwater as the sun was setting and checked into the Atherton Hotel.  Out of all the places I've ever stayed I'd have to say this was one of my favorites.  I just loved the old fashioned, homey yet classy and sophisticated feel that it had.  It was so nice of OSU to provide us with two rooms.  Brie LOVED having a big comfy bed to herself :0)  OH, I can't forget to mention the pet lady bug she found and kept in a glass on her night stand.

The campus itself was really pretty with its brick buildings and it was fun to see how excited the town apparently is about OSU's football team.  It looked like Halloween with everything decked out in the orange + black school colors.  I told Bry that if we moved to Oklahoma I wanted to buy a pair of cowboy boots (they're the Cowboy Pokes) and thought it'd be fun to get into football team :0)  Another wife of a BYU alum & OSU faculty said she'd love to hang out and acquaint us with Stillwater.  We met up at a park and chatted while the kids played then got lunch at Chick-Fil-A.  It was so nice of her to make the effort to help us feel at home!  I'll have to remember that when we're on the other end.

Other than YUMMY food from the Red Rock Café, I think our favorite thing was playing at the Wondertorium.  The kids LOVED it!  (It's like a mini version of the Magic House)  Brie was in heaven pretending to be a doctor in the baby nursery :0)

Our last stop was in Joplin so we could visit Ed & Ruth Anne.  They are the kids' midwestern grandparents and it really felt like we were coming to grandpa and grandma's house.  The kids were SO excited to see them!...and Alex spent half the time chasing Toppy around the house.  Ed has Native American heritage and Ruth Anne likes to collect different pieces of art so I had to take snapshots around their home.  We had dinner together then exchanged gifts.  Ed & Bry sang lines from some barbershop quartets while Ruth Anne told me about her trip to Utah, I looked at her earring collection and we chatted.

The next day Ed made us a BIG breakfast!  Pancakes, biscuits, sausage (lamb), scrambled eggs and hot chocolate.  After such a warm and filling breakfast we headed outside so the kids could ride around the yard with Ed on his riding mower.  Unfortunately the battery was dead, so next time.

After that we headed to the Minerva Candy Company (in Webb City, an adjoining city), it's a favorite stop for Ed.  We sampled their Christmas candy then Ed got us loaded up with an assortment of taffy and peanut butter fudge.  So sweet of him, literally :0)  Our last stop was at the Joplin City Library to see Ruth Anne's private collection of jewelry on display. It amazes me what a variety of pieces she has made.  She is so creative!  At that point we followed them to the fill station and to the freeway and we were off for home.  We sure love those two.  They feel like family.  We'll be forever grateful that the Lord brought us together here in St. Louis.  And there you have it our little tour on the old Route 66.