last day in nauvoo

our last morning in nauvoo we split up as a group a bit.  some of went on an hour long wagon ride, some of us didn't get out the door fast enough (that would be me and my sister).

so instead some of us headed over to the 10 minute oxen ride, which suited us much better. we didn't think our boys sit would sit for a long ride that morning. 

since we were the only ones there that morning, the missionaries let us take a picture by the oxen.  they encouraged us to hold their horns, and even though i was liiiiiiiiiitle nervous, i did it.  and here is me in all my make-up-less wonder. like i said, i didn't get out the door fast enough.

after that quick stop we headed back to the temple to walk the kids around the temple grounds.  thomas and erin's stroller came in handy here. i strapped tanner in and we were able to walk quietly around the temple, much to tanner's dismay.

we also went back to pioneer past times for a bit to let the kids play and to do a little playing ourselves. 

i don't think the pioneer look suits me.  i'm grateful i live on the earth during this time.

and lastly we stopped for a picnic lunch at the park while we listened to the nauvoo brass band play.  this was very entertaining and perfect for the kids.  they encouraged you to get up and dance, so the kids did. 

when i finally decided to pull out my camera for a picture, they were done playing, so this was my one and only shot of the brass band.

nauvoo was an awesome trip.  of course, there were some downsides to the trip.  one of them being that tyler couldn't come.  it would have been so fun to have him there, and i know he would love nauvoo.  and two, it was too short.  i wish i could have spent more time with my family.  next time we plan a reunion we'll have to plan at least a week.

nauvoo day two

for our second day in nauvoo we started out the day by seeing a kid friendly play called anna amanda.  this play was so cute and very entertaining for kids and adults.  even crazy tanner man stayed in my lap and watched the whole thing.

obviously i didn't get any pictures, but i did of us hanging out right after.

kids will find any way to entertain themselves.

during nap times we did a little switcheroo again so the rest of us could attend the temple. it was so nice to stop for a bit with no kids and be inside this beautiful temple.

this is a statue of joseph and hyrum.  as they were riding away from nauvoo for the last time, joseph looked back at nauvoo and told his brother that the saints here had to no idea what trials lay ahead of them.

after the temple and naps, we took all of the rested kids to visit pioneer pasttimes. this was a great place for kids to visit!  the kids could dress up, play pioneer games, and sit on these pretend sheep.  katelyn is a little upset in this picture because she wants to be on the sheep, not standing next to it.

before our nauvoo trip ended i really wanted a group picture.  who knows when we'll all be together again.

the granparents with the kids.  i just love my mom.  i told all of the adults behind the camera to make silly faces so the kids would look.  my mom joined in on the fun.

we ended our last full day in nauvoo with s'mores, hotdogs and a family talent show.  the family talent show was so fun.  everyone geared their acts towrads the kids and got their whole families involved. 

rendezvous in old nauvoo

in july we headed down to nauvoo, illinois for a bastian family reunion.  everyone was able to make it with the exception of michelle and her family, tyler and mike.  they were definitely missed!  but it was so fun to see everyone who was able to make it.  it had been a while since i had seen some of my family members.  we stayed in some great cabins that were clean and lots of room, so it was perfect for all of us. 
our first stop on our trip was to carthage, illinois.  this was a neat experience and i'm so glad we went.  although i'd love to go back again some day when tanner was a little older and didn't feel the need to run away.

that window up above is the window where joseph was shot.

cousin fun.  i still can't believe we can see every kids face in this picture.  when you get that many kids it isn't easy to take a big picture of them.

later that afternoon half of our group went to the temple while the rest of us stayed behind to babysit and let kiddos nap.  here's grandpa pushing the grandkids on the swing.

later that night we braved not the heat, but the extreme humidity to join in on the pre-pageant activities.  this was so fun for everyone.  there was a ton to do and although the volunteers were dressed head to toe in pioneer clothing, they were all in good spirits and were very helpful at each station.

and this is proof of how sticky it was outside.  katelyn's hair was sopping wet from top to bottom. gross, i know.  katelyn looks sad in this picture for some reason, but she had a great time.

fourth of july

i just love the fourth of july, and i especially love celebrating it here in wisconsin.  the whole day is jam-packed with fun activities.

we always start off the day with a parade, as most people do.  i love that this parade has a nice home town feeling to it.
i think tan the man was tired before the parade even started.  he was zonked by the end of the parade.

the little girlies at the parade.  they all sat together up front waiting for people to throw candy at them.  whatever their strategy, it worked.  they all went home with a bag full of candy.

this is the group we have watched the parade with every year (plus or minus some).  the schows and jacobsons have been so nice every year to save room on their front lawn so everyone can join them.  it is the perfect spot to watch the parade.

after the parade we hopped on over to the annual ward fourth of july party.  there was delicious food, swimming and good friends.  we stayed a while this year and completely wore out our children. 

of course there were also water activities, one of them being a huge water slide.  tyler pushed tanner down the slide as hard as he could.  although it's hard to tell in these pictures, tanner loved it.

after the party we headed home where both of our kids slept for three hours.  it was a nice break fora ll of us.   then of course we ended our day by going to fireworks with friends.

the men.  we're always making them pose for pictures.

the women.  we rarely get pictures together, so we finally made it happen.

it was such a great day!