Our long awaited trip!
I took a ton of pictures so I will post a few an slideshow the rest!
We left on Friday and drove to Cincinnati. Kevin took the three boys to a Reds game so Lexi and I decide to go to kings Island for a few hours. We spent an hour and a half at the water park then Lexi rode on a few rides before heading back to the Hotel. The boys came back from the game at about 10:30 so we decided to take a late night swim in the pool while Kev put babies to bed. The next morning Kevin and Tyler went back to the ballpark to get autographs so I took the rest of the kids to the park by the river. They had a fun fountain that is more of a pool so the enjoyed staying cool while we waited. We drove that night to Bloomington then on to Nauvoo Sunday morning. We had a few hours to kill before the rest of the family showed up so we went an drove around Nauvoo.
On our way into Nauvoo the road we were suppose to take was closed because of the flooding so we had to find another way in. This is a picture of a gas station just off the road that we were on. It was sad to see the houses that were empty were people just had to leave them. 
Monday morning all the kids 12 and up went to do Baptisms at the temple. Then we all met for lunch at the park. I don't have any pictures of this day because my batteries were dead in my camera. After lunch we walked around old Nauvoo then went to see a show.
Tuesday morning we all went to Carthage. I was crying before I even go to the parking lot. As you walk up to the jail there is this statue of Joseph and Hyrum. I am always amazed at how devoted Hyrum was to Joseph.
This is the door going into the room with the bullet hole that killed Hyrum as he was leaning against it to keep the mobs out.
This is the window that Joseph fell out of after being shot. Being in the same room you can't help but feel such awe and reverence. I loved being able to show all of this to my kids so that they can know that all the stories are true. It just brings everything to life and makes it all so real. Wednesday morning we started out with a hand cart trek. The very easy 1 mile loop was not so easy. We literally had to go through water and mud, up and down steep rocky hills and walk through bushes and under trees. It really gave us a good idea however of how hard is must have been.
Even mom was a trooper and came along never complaining. Way to go mom. You would have made a great Pioneer! Lexi on the other hand.....
Even the babies got to ride in the hand cart.
After the trek we took a wagon tour of old Nauvoo and heard a lot of history.
Wednesday night we went to the Nauvoo Pageant. Every night they have some pre-show activities with pioneer games and dancing. The kids loved it so much that we went two nights in a row.
My Brother in law Andy showing everyone how it is done!!
Can I just say that the pageant was incredible. They did such a great job. At the end they light up the temple in the background and play President Hinkley talking about building the Temple. We cried just a little.
Thursday was one of my favorite days because we started out the day by going to the temple. Even though it is not the original the feeling of being there and thinking of what those pioneers sacrificed to build it was amazing.
We spent the rest of the day touring around old Nauvoo and downtown trying to see everything before the trip had to end.
This is our house and a shot of all the kids the morning we left. Not the happiest of days but still great. And to think that this in not even half of all the grandkids on the Westover side. How we wish they all could have been there.
Tyler, Jamin and David playing around.
Mia and Mason had their first birthday in Nauvoo so we had a little party with all the family. I can't believe they are 1 year old already. The time is going way to fast.
We finished up our trip in The windy city of Chicago. Kevin and Cameron went to a cubs game at Wrigley stadium. Kevin says its a must if you are a sports fan to experience a game at Wrigley at least once.
After the game we went downtown and walked around a little. This is at Millennium park.
Then Tyler and I went to see the play Wicked!!! Can I just say WOW! The music was amazing(I can tell I have been hanging out with my nieces all week. Everything is "AMAZING" to them!) But really it was amazing. It was a blast and Even Tyler didn't get bored!!
Sweet Kev took the other kids and killed time while we were at the play walking around. He took the kids, babies included, to navy Pier, magnificent mile and to get Ice cream. I know it was a long three hours for him and I so appreciate him doing it so that I would go see Wicked.
Sunday we packed up and headed home. The week could not have been better. We miss everyone so much and cant wait until next time.
