Kansas City, Crown Center, and the Science Museum

Hallmark is headquartered in Kansas City, MO and is quite a big influence around there.

There is the Crown Center Mall and at the time we were there was an awesome Lego exhibit. The sculptures were very cool, and we had fun hanging out building with Legos!

On Saturday morning, our last day, we scheduled time to go to Kaleidoscope, which is a free art center at Hallmark that has a myriad of arts and crafts for the kids to do - and it's all free! We were totally impressed with it and couldn't believe all that was available for no admission charge!

There was a lot of eye candy with vivid color and many details at every turn.

There were so many fun crafts to do - the kids could have been entertained for hours.

The decor was fantastic - No ordinary paper towel dispenser would do here! No siree!

They especially like the glow-in-the-dark area where they creatively turned their craft into manicures.

I would highly recommend this place - it's a load of fun (and did I mention it's free?!)!

After Kaleidescope, we went over to the Science Museum which was another great place. We spent a good few hours there until it was time to head to the airport.

We loved our trip to Kansas City, Nauvoo, and Beyond and considered it a huge success! I highly recommend it to anyone!!

Saying Good-Bye to Cousins

So Long . . .

Farewell . . .

Three days was certainly NOT enough - particularly when those three days were filled to the brim with activity and not much hanging around time. It took an hour to say good-bye as it seemed like the first time the kids got to be together to goof off without having to rush off somewhere. We were all supposed to be getting in our cars, but taking a picture turned into a photo shoot and it took precedence -- I'm glad it did -- they had fun and we got some great pictures to cherish.

All the kids except for the twin babies who managed to finally get buckled and were not going to be let out!

Christian, Jordyn, Alyssa, Rachel, Brooke, Christa

on the sun porch.

Three monkeys in a tree:

The ABC's of 2001!!

Alyssa, Brooke, Christa - born the same year.

It's a tradition (and a rarity) to have their picture together. They are the ABC's!

Christian and Ben being too cool outside our rental house.

Alyssa, Madison, Miranda, Christa, Jenna, Brooke in a tree in the backyard

Ashlyn, Alyssa, Brooke, Christa

in the upstairs room where most the kids slept

Parley Street ~ The Trail of Hope

We did the "Walk Down Parley Street" as many have recommended, and we are glad we did.

On Thursday morning, the actors from the Pageant portray their characters and tell their story along the way. It is a very moving and emotional experience!

"Jane Manning"

There are markers all along the way - journal entries from many of the Pioneers.

This "mother and daughter" sang a beautiful duet that brought everyone to tears.

At the end of Parley Street, The Trail of Hope, on the banks the Mississippi river where the Saints had to leave their beloved homes, temple, and even family and friends behind to face the vast wilderness and a new life unknown to them. I cannot imagine what it was like to look back and see the beautiful home that was only just completed by your own two hands, the busy and successful city that you brought out of the the stagnant swamp, and the glorious temple shining on the hill that you have to leave behind . . . leave for the violent mobs to plunder and deface.

Obviously we know now why things were the way they were and we are grateful for the sacrifices made, and the strength gained to endure and to build the kingdom to what we have today, but Nauvoo truly is a City Beautiful and a testament that those faithful Saints were just that: faithful.

Sunset on the Mississippi

One of the things on my list of "must-sees" in Nauvoo was the sunset on the Mississippi.

It wasn't hard to achieve . . . just as I'd hoped, it was gorgeous!

This is the view from the temple.

This is at the end of Parley Street

This is during the "Pageant"

This is from the lawn of the Pageant, right before it was to start. Stunning!

Some Fun Things To Do in Nauvoo

There were many fun things to do in Nauvoo which kept us busy for three days straight.

There are lots of shows, houses to see, and areas to play.

The wannabe twins acting out Star Wars

Puppet Theater - and they give you homemade sock puppets.

The Ox-Pulled Wagon Ride

Ashlyn thought the oxen were pretty stinky.

Mulholland Street

Just up from the temple were some shops, restaurants, lodging, frozen custard, and our house that we shared with the Merrills and the Merrills. We were able to take a little walk and enjoy a cool treat on a beautiful afternoon.

If you look closely, you can see John and Ashlyn walking back to the house in the background. We continued on to check out all the shops.

Pioneer Past Times

There is an area designated for fun pioneer games and traditions called Pioneer Past Times. The kids (young and old) all enjoyed it and wanted to go back again and again.

Walking on stilts - it's much harder than it looks!

Miss Brookie Sue

Miss Miranda Sue and Miss Madison Sue

My name is Ashlyn Marie; Welcome to my homestead.

The real twins: Rachel and Jordyn

The wannabe twins.

The Brickyard

Another great tour and they even give you a commemorative complimentary brick that can be used as a sun visor if necessary.

And of course, The Temple

Rolling down the grassy lawn in front of the temple is always great fun!

There's nothing like catching fireflies! Another one of the things on my list . . . I was so glad they were out in abundance and we all had a great time catching them.

Nauvoo - We arrived!

Upon our arrival in Nauvoo, as we followed the highway along the Mississippi, not quite knowing what to expect, the road turned up a little hill and out popped the beautiful temple!

We had arrived!

It was splendidly gorgeous, even in the drizzly gray weather.

John and I were very grateful that we were able to attend a session. The outside doesn't do the inside any justice! It is breathtaking and I don't know if I've seen woodwork and craftsmanship and decor so beautiful.

Then we saw the show Sunset on the Mississippi which was moved inside to the Visitor's Center due to the rain and soggy grass.

On Wednesday morning, we took a tour of some of the properties that the Community of Christ (formerly known as the RLDS) owns. It is the only activity/tour in Nauvoo that has a fee and you also cannot take any pictures inside any of their buildings, even the visitors center, except for the Red Brick Store. I'm not quite sure why that is, but I found it to be very odd.

The Nauvoo House

Brooke, Miranda, Madison.

Waiting during the Community of Christ homes-tour. I love all the wildflowers and the view over the Mississippi.

This is the Red Brick Store and it is actually made of, well, red brick.

The view outside Joseph and Emma's home.

The Smith cemetery.

Inside the Red Brick Store (where pictures are allowed). This is where the Relief Society was organized and the first endowments were performed.

Part of our gang on the wagon tour.

Right after our CoC tour, we went on a wagon tour. It is a free tour pulled by a team of horses and narrated by an LDS missionary guide. It was really fun, and very informative - also a great way to see the town and learn where everything is.

Here are Ben-Jamin and Christian - cousins and best buds. We had them matching most of the time and they loved it - and it was easier to find them. It's our tradition to send a matching shirt for their birthdays. Orange is what Ben sent Christian in January.

All they cared about, once they saw each other, was being together. When we were touring alone, Christian could care less about what we were seeing or doing - he was only concerned with what Ben might be doing and when they could play again. Joe and Heather were smart to not tell Ben that he was going to be seeing Christian in Nauvoo until they arrived! That would have been a much longer drive across the country for them.

The Merrill gang in Nauvoo!!

Joe and Heather's Family, Matt and Heather's Family, Our Family and Grandma & Grandpa

22 in all.