A Great Weekend in Nauvoo

We just returned from Nauvoo yesterday where we had a fabulous weekend. We left early on Friday and drove the five hours to Nauvoo for our ward's annual Youth Temple trip there. All of us went except Jace who was involved in a play at school, and our dear friend Linda Covell went with us. This was McKinzie's first time to participate in temple baptisms, and Matthew received his endowment. It was such a wonderful experience to be in that great temple with our kids. That is when you really realize the blessings of the temple, when your kids are sitting next to you in it. After Matt's endowment session, he was able to do some sealings with us, and that was also very neat.

After the temple on Friday evening, we went to eat at the Hotel Nauvoo buffet, which is really the only place to get a good meal there. We went with Brian and Annie Hamrick, and Eric Moore. Then we all drove around in the Historic area of Nauvoo and looked at some of the sites like the graves of Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma Smith. Then we went back to our hotel across from the temple, and I fell right to sleep.

The next morning, Annie met me at 6:00 and we went to run down in the Historic district. But I think we did a lot more walking than running. It's hard to talk to each other when you are gasping for breath. But we have decided to get our "temples" in shape! After that, McKinzie, Mike and Matt went to participate in the second day of youth baptisms while Jack and I went to the brickyard. Jack thought it was pretty cool, and he got his very own perfect Nauvoo brick. He was very excited. Then we met back up with everyone and did a little shopping. Then we drove to Carthage and took the tour before leaving for home. It was a great trip. The leaves were turning and the temple was glorious! We can't wait to go again next year!