Nauvoo, Illinois--Day 2

This is day two(or the first whole day, take your pick) in Nauvoo.



We went on a carriage ride out to Inspiration Point and back.  It is an interesting ride because the missionaries tell inspiring stories of some of the people who actually lived in Nauvoo.  And, like almost everything here, it's free!



Well.



One of the horses who pulled our carriage.



With the horses that pulled the carriage.



Oxen ride.





Scovil Bakery, where you get to sample a gingerbread cookie.



Carding wool at the Family Living Center.



Learning about making candles.



Making rope.



I love these flowers.



Parade with the Brass Band.



Playing house.



One of the things that amazes me about Sydney is her ability to make friends instantly.  Here she is with a bunch of little girls who watched Just Plain Anna Amanda with us.



Just Plain Anna Amanda is a show that the Young Performing Missionaries put on while they are in Nauvoo for the summer.  This was their last show before they all went home.  A perfect show for kids...and to sit and enjoy the air conditioning.





Trying on one of the missionaries' hats.



Learning about the printing press.



At our favorite spot on the Mississippi...at the end of Parley Street.







It was really windy, if you can't tell.







She wanted to put her feet in the water...



...but was a little afraid...



...of how cold it would be...



Success!

Nauvoo, Illinois--Day 1

For the weekend between Charles' summer term of classes and the start of the fall semester, we decided to take a little family trip and go to Nauvoo, Illinois.  We left EARLY in the morning to beat a huge thunderstorm that was heading right towards Lincoln and then had to drive around all the flooding up and down the Missouri, so the six hour drive took closer to seven or eight.  But it was totally worth it.



We made it!






One of my college roommates played with the Brass Band before we all got married.



Dancing at a Brass Band concert at the Visitor's Center



Fun fact...Charles and I went to Nauvoo on our honeymoon, six years ago to the day this picture was taken.



Sunset on the Mississippi parade.









Sunset on the Mississippi is such a fun show...if you get to go to Nauvoo in the summer, make sure you watch it.









I think he was my favorite missionary there.



We saw an old friend perform with BYU Synthesis...but it was a late show and we didn't get to stop and talk to him, since we had been up since 5 and were SO ready to go to bed.

Fishing at Holmes Lake.

We went out to Holmes Lake for a picnic and for Charles and Sydney to go fishing.



Fastest picnic I have ever packed.



It is a Chamberlin Family Secret that the best fish are caught with the pink princess fishing pole.  Every Chamberlin family has one and they all swear by it.  ;)



Reeling the fish in.



They caught several blue gill.



My fishers.

Family Home Evening through Sydney's Eyes/

We went to the Church to check out the new artwork that they put up over the summer for Family Home Evening.  Sydney had a great time taking pictures of the artwork and then talking about the pictures.

Salt Dogs Game--Take Two

Sydney completed the summer reading program this year and one of the prizes was a free ticket and a two for the price of one ticket to go see a Salt Dogs game.  So we went...and it was HOT this game!



The kids who completed the summer reading program got to walk in a parade around the ball field.



Sydney got a balloon and we all got free shirts for coming to the game.







It was really hot.  We had two of these big cups and the ice melted before the game even started.

Bubble Birthday Party

For Sydney's fourth birthday, we had a bubble party.  She wanted a princess party, but when most of your friends are boys, you have to compromise.  But, we had a blast at her bubble birthday party.  All of her friends came and we all hung out in the "soul-sucking" humidity and watched the kids cover themselves in bubble solution.  It was a ton of fun!