A family vacation for us during the summer when we are all together is a bit rare. So when we got a chance we took it.
We bought Cameron a ticket to come into St. Louis MO on the 27th. He had been in Utah for about 3 weeks visiting and attending x-country camp at BYU.
We headed up on the 26th after church so we didn't have to get up early on monday (his flight came in at 12:00 p.m. and it is a 5 hr drive from Jasper.) After we picked him up on monday we ate lunch and headed to the St. Louis Zoo (which is free). The next day we packed up and drove to Nauvoo, IL for some church history (most of you know we are Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)). We arrived in plenty of time to see the pageant. The kids had a lot of fun playing the pre-show pioneer games. The following morning we toured the area and ended it at Carthage Jail were Joseph Smith was martyred.
We made it back home safe and sound on Thursday the 30th. Good times!
Hanging out in the motel the night before we pick up Cameron.
Ready for the zoo.
First stop - the restrooms.
Cameron did not like the smell of the penguins.
The zoo keeper getting attacked by this big African bird...they did not bring the brooms to clean out the exhibit. I think this has happened before.
Everyone was getting pretty tired from walking all around.
Not really sure what Cameron was doing to Cody in this photo.
Getting the wiggles out after the drive from St. Louis.
Mississippi River where the Saints Crossed that cold winter day.
Pioneer games and activities at the pre-show.
Cody looks so excited dancing with this pioneer girl.
An Irish jig.
Cameron was drug in the tug-a-war.
After the pageant Creed went and talked to the man who played Joseph Smith - he told him he did a very good job on his character.
This is NOT our car - it was at our motel in Nauvoo...notice all the caffeine free Dr. Pepper cans...there was also a 1/2 eaten burrito too.
Getting ready to head out for touring the town of Nauvoo.
We really thought the Oxen were neat - Barry thinks it would be fun to have a pair to take guests out to the cookout.
Creed enjoyed the Blacksmith's.
Moses Browning invented one of the first machine guns.
Playing more pioneer games at the activity center for kids.
Headed back towards home.
Crossing the bridge over the Mississippi - we have it easy.
