Nauvoo, Illinois -- Day 2

We spent a whole week in Nauvoo and had plenty of sights to see and activities to fill that time. On Sunday we went to church and then spent the afternoon at the Family Living Center where Elder Grandpa and Sister Grandpa were working that day.

We learned about how the pioneers grew and wove their own wool and flax threads. Sister Grandma also taught us about how they made their bread in the big brick oven (including a yummy sample!).

We watched how they wove the woolen fibers into cloth.  The Senior Missionaries working in the Family Living Center make all the woolen rag rugs that are in all the buildings in Nauvoo.

The kids helped Elder Grandpa make a strong rope from plant fibers.  Then Daddy used his scout skills to tie off the rope so that we could cut it off from the machine.

Elder Grandpa talked about making the clay pots and dishes that the pioneers used in their kitchens.

Nauvoo: Day 1

We started the day with a 45 minute wagon ride. There are about 10-12 teams of horses in Nauvoo. They are Percherons and Belgians. Teamsters (senior missionaries who have experience driving teams of horses) drive the wagon and also give parts of the wagon tour. It was a great overview of all the buildings and stories from old Nauvoo.  Baby S enjoyed the ride so much that he fell alseep.

 The kids also sat in a covered wagon model outside the visitors center.

Then we went to the brickyard where Elder Grandpa was on duty that day.  He told us how the pioneers made bricks and about the Nauvoo clay pit. The brick buildings in town were made from that clay and which is so are the souvenir bricks that they give out today.

The Pioneer Pastimes exhibit is the perfect place for kids to play and learn about pioneer life.  They have a miniature cabin and a miniature school house. They have dress up clothes for all sizes and ages.

 We played with the various kinds of toys and games that the pioneer children might have used. Even in the age of electronics, they were mesmerized by wooden tops, wooden animal blocks, stilts, climbing jacks, and Jacob's ladders.

Don't we look like a regular pioneer family?

Family Schooling Summary

We found some great Disney phonics workbooks at the thrift store and have been having fun with those.  I bought a magnetic shapes game for our trip and we have been using that this week. We continue to practice reading, time, and money.

Garden Progress: Berries by the Pint

We are bringing in (or eating) about a pint of black berries and raspberries from our bushes each day, with no sign of an end in sight. Deliciousness!

The cucumbers were going great too, but the beetles are attacking now, so I am not sure how many I will end up with.

I made a huge pot of borscht with our first beets of the season.  The cabbages seemed like they were not ready yet so I replaced that with kohlrabi. I also used venison instead of beef.  It was so yummy. Big sister A gobbled it up and little brother S liked it, but mostly appreciated the sour cream.

Next Stop -- St Louis, Missouri

Since I had never seen the Gateway Arch up close, we decided to stop and let the kiddos get their wiggles out walking around there.

There is a museum under the arch. It features all the different types of explorers, pioneers, and politicians who helped settle the land West of the Mississippi.

Another Week, Another Family Reunion -- First stop, Kentucky

A few days after the other family reunion ended we drove to Nauvoo, Illinois to visit with hubby's side of the family and see the sights.  On the way, we stopped to visit Aunt C in Kentucky.

The day before we left the kiddos and I picked a big basket of strawberries.  Aunt Sunshine and I made 14 pints of strawberry and strawberry rhubarb jam late into the night.

Not to be outdone in the area of last minute projects, the morning before we left my ambitious husband finished the detachable chicken run.

It has a hinged front door for easy access to the chickies.

We had an uneventful drive to Kentucky and arrived late Wednesday night. Thursday we spent the day doing fun activities with Aunt C and Cousin J. Aunt C has a great park near her house with tons of play opportunities including a couple sprinkler fountains.

We had a delicious BBQ (with mint marinade) and this yummy corn tomato pie.

Family Reunion: Day 6

On Friday we went to the National Air and Space Museum out by Dulles Airport (not to be confused with the smaller one that is downtown on the Mall). 

My favorite part was seeing the Space Shuttle Discovery up close.

The kids took turns sitting in and "piloting" a little Cesna 150. They got to move the ailerons, rudder, etc.  Too bad neither of their pilot Grandpas were there to show them how it is really done.

This is good picture capturing the busyness of kids at the museum. All in motion, some climbing up, some trying to climb up. Fun times.

After a packed week of adventures, Saturday morning we said good bye to most of our visitors.  Aunt Sunshine and Uncle T will be here until August.  He is doing an internship on Capital Hill.