Family Reunion in Nauvoo

The end of May/beginning of June, Rigby, Peter, and I were able to visit Nauvoo for a family reunion with my Mom's family. I enjoyed being able to visit with my sisters, parents, grandparents, cousins, and all the little kids. The boys had a blast with so many kids to run around with that were their age. There were 14 kids, all fives years and younger; what a zoo! The only ones missing were my mom's brother Ken and his family and my Scottie. Considering I had a 16 month old and a 3 1/2 year old tag along, we were able to accomplish a lot of sight seeing in seven days: Liberty and Carthage Jail, Far West, Adam-ondi-Ahman and many sights in Nauvoo.

Here is a picture of our rental cars and the condo where we stayed at Nauvoo.

We did not spend too much time at the condo, so I only have a few pictures of the kids playing there. Here is one of Isabelle and Peter trying to boss one another around (see the wagging fingers) while hiding out in the entertainment center.

Here is Peter doing what he does best these days-hoarding toys. Shoving them down his shirt is a new one; gotta keep them safe somehow! Silly boy!
Here is Rigby displaying some hoarding skills learned from his brother.

While in Nauvoo we were able to celebrate my Grandparent's 62nd wedding anniversary, two other wedding anniversaries, and seven birthdays for the month of June.
Grandpa Stewart with the boys.

Far West & Adam-ondi-ahman

On our way from the airport to Nauvoo, we stopped at the former temple sight in Far West. All that remains from the former almost completed temple are corner stones. The church has also built a memorial plaque.

Isabelle decided that she wanted her dad to lift her up into the tree. She sat up there for a few minutes, as comfortable as a little monkey/daredevil.

Peter did not want to be outdone, but he was a little less comfortable than his cousin. He started panicking and was quickly returned to solid ground.
Peter was unsure of what to make of all these little girls. After this picture he jetted off to go play some more boyish games.
The babes, Audrey and Rigby, were restricted to their strollers for part of the time.
My family was great to help out with the kids, but I have to say there is no substitute for daddy. Things went well, but by the end I was a little frazzled and ready to go back home to my hubby. I thought this picture was funny; one kid having an emotional break-down while the other one tries to make a run for it!

We were also able to visit Adam-ondi-ahman. This place is beautiful and has such a peaceful feeling about it.
Here we are relaxing while my dad reads some of the historical and future significance about the area.
Amanda, Kai, Jeff, Isabelle, Doug, Rachel, Peter, Dustin, Audrey, Sara
Here is Peter (orange shirt) doing what a boy must do-throwing rocks.
Alli, Isabelle, Peter, Rowan, Kai

And if a boy cannot find rocks to throw, the next best thing is dirt/mud mixed with some weeds. (Rigby)

Family Photos in Nauvoo

We were able to get family pictures in Nauvoo. Unfortunately, we were missing my Uncle Ken and his family; however, I think this is the closest we have come to having a complete reunion of the Douglas Farrow Family in almost 20 years. Labeling is purely for my record keeping.

The Whole Gang
Sara, Dustin, Audrey, Rachel, Rigby, Marissa, Evan, Kaleb, Connor, Kristen, Maddie, KaraLee, Chris, Kim, Scott, Nicholai, Lyman, Amanda, Jeff, Kai, Doug, Lora, Doug, Afton, Beth, Nancy, Evan, Isabelle, Peter, Alli, Olivia, Rowan, Grant

My Family

Dustin, Sara, Audrey, Peter, Lora, Doug, Marissa, Rachel, Rigby, Isabelle, Grandpa and Grandma Farrow (missing Scott)
My Family
Dusting, Sara, Audrey, Rachel, Rigby, Marissa, Isabelle, Doug, Peter, Lora (missing Scott)
Great Grandkids
Grandma & Grandpa Farrow and Beth with the Great Grandkids (+help)
Rigby, Doug, Audrey, Lora, Evan Maddie, Kaleb, Nancy, Kai, Peter, Doug, Afton, baby Everett, Beth Nicholai, Grant, Connor, Isabelle, Alli, Olivia, Rowan (only missing 4 at the time)

Nauvoo

This temple is not only beautiful architecturally, but beautiful in a spiritual sense because of all the faith and sacrifice it represents. I absolutely LOVE all of the wood work inside.

We were able to have a picnic at the park with my Uncle Evan and his family, along with some of my cousin's wife's family. Ignore my name labeling; it is for future reference when I have memory lapses.

Sara, Marissa, Rachel, Rigby, Dad, & Peter

Grandma Farrow & Kim's family

Kristen, Rowan, Maddie, KaraLee, Grant, Evan, baby Everett & Kim

Beth, Nancy, Lyman, Scott, Amanda & Jeff
We took a wagon ride around all of Nauvoo. Peter loved it, but Rigby kept trying to jump out of the wagon.
Rigby, Peter and I trying to get a decent picture on a wagon. I have finally learned that with kids this age, you just look at the camera and smile for multiple pictures and hope that you catch one picture with both kids looking towards the camera-even if they have scowls on their faces.

This is the former home of Chauncey Griswald Webb whom is my 4th great grandfather through my dad's side. He ran one of the blacksmith shops in town with his four sons.

These are quotes along "the trail of hope" which the pioneers walked as they were forced from their beautiful Nauvoo. This quote made me re-evaluate my "I have no furniture in my house!" complaints. I tried to imagine chopping up my most valued piece of wooden furniture or my violin (I'm tearing up now thinking of this one!). I do not think I could be this positive. What amazing people and faith!

This quote was just GREAT! I'd love to talk with her someday.

Where the "trail of hope" meets the Mississippi River, there is a memorial to all those pioneers who died making the trek across the plains to Utah. There are hundreds of name listed, but I believe only one grave is marked along the trail today.

What better way to end a post than with my cute little boys.
This is what life is all about-the important stuff!

Liberty & Carthage Jail

We stopped at Liberty Jail on the way to Nauvoo from the airport in Missouri. Here are Peter, Rigby and I.

This is a replica of the original Liberty Jail. The caretaker of the jail lived upstairs, while the prisoners lived in the basement.

There was a cold stone floor with dirty straw and only two small openings with bars that were probably no more than 6 inches by 2 feet large.

The walls consisted of 2 feet mortared stone, 1 foot loose stones, and 1 foot large wood beams. They received little or not food that was sometimes poisoned, and once were given human flesh to eat. They were imprisoned for 4 1/2 months during the winter, and had very few visitors. This place always humbles me.

On the way back to the airport, we were able to stop by Carthage Jail. I was ready to go home at this point (I was missing my hubby's fabulous help with the kids) and Rigby was done being dragged here, there, and everywhere, so I did not get much out of the tour. I had not realized before this tour that Joseph and his companions were very good friends and well respected by the caretaker and his family. Their imprisonment sounded much more pleasant in comparison to Liberty Jail; unfortunately, the end result was death for Hyrum and Joseph, instead of release.

Peter, Rigby and I in front of Hyrum and Joseph's statue at Carthage Jail.

Peter with his Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Farrow.

My Poor Baby

Well, he technically is not a baby anymore, but I am still in denial about that. Rigby has had really bad luck lately. Sunday night he tripped on some toys and fell against a window sill; he got a little cut next to his eye and a nice black eye. This picture is from the next morning after it had swelled up.
Then, Monday night he stepped right on top of a fire ant hill and got about 150 to 200 stings all over his arms and legs. They look awful now because they have started to form puss pockets.
I stayed up until 2 am watching him sleep because I was afraid he might start to have an allergic reaction/anaphylaxis shock. We actually took him to the doctor the next morning and they had us give him an antibiotic so that he will not get an infection when the puss pockets start to burst. My poor baby boy! He has been so amazingly patient with all the discomfort and pain, but hopefully Rigby is done with injuries for a long while!

1st Wood Working Project

I am very excited (and proud) of my boy for completing his 1st wood working project! He made a cutting board for his uncle's wedding. It turned out great!

Now onto the next item on my "wood working honey-do list!" Love you my boy.