Back to Indiana!

Uncle Steve directed us back to his place by way of the, "Covered Bridge Capitol", Parke county Indiana. The old Odyssey certainly enjoyed this journey.

We were delighted to be reunited with our Indiana family!

 

The occasion called for a sleep-over, although like all good sleep-overs there was more party time than sleep time. The girls were concerned that they would sleep through valuable cousin play time, so they requested an alarm clock, lest they get too much rest to brighten their dispositions

Then we were off to Indianapolis to see the gigantic War Memorial.

This grandeur of this monument was a little taste of Europe for me.

Also, a really great place to stock pigeon. Our biggest Angry Birds fan displayed quiet determination to capture a bird suvenior of his own. His plan was stealthy, steady footsteps before diving in for the kill. Nice strategy, but he did go home without a trophy.

Here is a better view of the War Memorial. We made it all the way to the top observation deck. We shunned the 550 steps and paid the $1 to take the elevator.

Then after a pit stop to re-fuel with LONG's delicious blueberry donuts we were off to the Indianapolis Speedway. I think Uncle Steve underestimated the interest level of 3 young boys. Their joy at FINALLY seeing something interesting could not be satiated.

We took a lap around the 2.5 mile track.
Tad was DYING to know where we were going to take our pit stop.

After lunch, we came back for the museum tour. I have to admit I didn't see much of the museum. Little Chief and I didn't make it past the first room where you could be an actual race car driver.

Superkid was most impressed by these jet propelled machines that raced across the Salt Flats.
Pops is thrilled because this is his ticket to take Superkid to visit the Utah State Capitol building where there is another Salt Flat race car in the basement. 

Don't tell Superkid, but I don't think it is all we will see there!

Sringfield! Springfield! (It's a hell of a town!)

Next we pushed on to Springfield, Illinois. First stop, the old State Capitol.

Not only where Abraham Lincoln walked these great halls and magnificent staircases...

but also where Abraham Lincoln sat as Member of the House of Representatives for Illinois and voted for the Nauvoo Charter which granted the city council of Nauvoo powers equal to the powers of the Legislature (including the right for Joseph Smith to destroy the Nauvoo Expositor which ultimately led to his martyrdom).

Here is Abz sitting the same place Lincoln sat.

And we never pass a chance to visit a Supreme Court. 

The kids were thrilled to see where Abraham Lincoln argued cases!

Next it was off to the Lincoln Museum to meet the family...

This seriously is one of the most well done museums I've been to. The multimedia presentation literally rocked our world with shaking seats and smoke circling our heads during battle scenes. Abz thought it was, "a little too terrifying".

Hopefully a spin through the gift shop and another saunter around the Old State House will leave the little ones with happy memories...

Then, off to Abraham Lincoln's Tomb. While Abizella wanted to pass on anything to do with dead bodies, she wasn't about to pass up on a little good luck (photographed by Superkid)

A thoroughly enjoyable and educational day!

Tour 'de Nauvoo

Our last day in Nauvoo, we packed up and said good-by to our little cabin...

And hello to Joseph Smith's Homestead

 

And Joseph's Mansion house (how I missed getting pictures of them I'll never guess)

 

And since we were having so much fun visiting prophet's houses, 

we stopped by Brigham Young's house

John Taylor is third, you know

 

Then Wilford Woodruff

and it's a good thing Lorenzo Snow's house wasn't in town because not all of us thought being physically restrained and hushed while looking at dead guy's houses was a lot of fun

So off to Uncle Joseph's Red Brick store by the mighty Mississippi for some gifties and treaties to sweeten our dispositions.

And while the less agreeable among us took a little car nap, we toured Grandma Lucy's home

And saw my favorite thing in Nauvoo, Grandma's china. A complete set (minus one saucer) from England.

One more spin through the sculpture garden to pic our favs...

Don't worry about Little Chief, there was plenty of animal appreciation time. This kid is a major fan.

We even took another carriage ride and had a little more pony time.

Nauvoo

Uncle Steve, Aunt Missy and Cousin Belle joined us again in Nauvoo! 

This made the trip especially fun for all!

After a big breakfast we were off to the races, first stop was the sculpture garden. 

As always, the Mormons know their tulips!

There was no holding Pops back, we had to go visit the Prophet Joseph...

What's that you say? Pops is standing next to Hyrum? Oh... you didn't know? Joseph is buried under Hyrum's tombstone and Hyrum is buried under Joseph's. This is one of Pop's favorite stories. You would make him extremely happy to ask him about it sometime... or you can read about it here.

Next we wandered down the path to pay our respect to the kid's Great (X5) Grandma and Grandpa

And then there was the Nauvoo Lodge, it's where the Masons met. 

Another fun story to hear form Pops. Yes, we took the extended tour to the 3rd floor. The sister missionary was impressed with our interest in the quilt display upstairs, little did she know we were actually  interested in the *space*

All of the kiddos loved the wagon ride, but we were hard pressed to tear Little Chief and Abizella away from the horses

Seriously the best part of the day was hanging with our cute little cuz...

And her super fun parents...

And seeing the gorgeous Nauvoo temple

After saying good-bye to our fun cousin, 

we went and drowned our sorrows in the mighty Mississippi river

On to Carthage!

We don't let the dust settle on us!
Next we grabbed our "hand-carts" and headed West to Carthage, Il
...to the place where Joesph and Grandpa Hyrum were martyred.
I remember coming here when I was about Abizella's age.
I definitely remember the building...

...the bullet holes...
...and the window that Joseph fell from after being shot. Steve and I agree, we definitely saw blood on the floor last time. The blood is no longer visible. In 1978 the Nauvoo restoration president, Jay Leroy Kimball, directed the missionaries to remove the protective covering over the blood. In 2004 the State of Illinois issued a statement expressing regret of the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum; the blood on the floor was barely visible then.
A great visit for all... but mostly because we were off season and had a private tour... not because these kids were little angels after being tethered in the car for 3 days!
Next, we pushed on to Nauvoo where we had a "near" authentic Nauvoo experience spending a couple of nights in a real pioneer log cabin. Seriously the BEST part of Nauvoo for the little Toads! Thanks for the great tip Aunt Missy!