Family Reunion in Nauvoo

 A busy week of holiday celebrations.  Canada Day breakfast at home,

and then, after a sleepless night, two airplanes, four hours driving, plus a detour,

Independence Day (and Grandma's birthday) in Nauvoo, Illinois.

 

A family wagon ride to start the festivities. 

The Mississippi River was very high - lots of flooding in the area.

Nauvoo temple up on the hill, where we got to do a session on Tuesday.

The kitchen "A Team" Aaron, Adam, and Aaron.

These outlaws were amazing at getting us fed! 

 

Trina did an awesome job making skirts for all the little girls.

They all loved to dance to all the music at the Sunset by the Mississippi show. 

 

We did try and see what we could of Nauvoo with Aria's very limited attention span.

Got diamond rings at the Blacksmith, Aria gave a talk in the Seventy's Hall,

pet the sheep at Pioneer Pasttimes, and checked out the statues in the Women's Garden.

Our final night was the start of the pageant, so we dressed up a little.

After a bit of dancing Aria tried to drive a cart and visited the lighting booth.

 

 

Six very noisy days of exploring Nauvoo, talking, playing games, chasing kids, watching our family videos.  What a glorious six days they were.  Looking forward to doing this again in a few years.

A little Photoshop magic and we have a beautiful family portrait. 

Editing the picture of the 14 grandchildren is going to be the real challenge.