So the third day we all got together for breakfast at the Nauvoo State Park. Uncle John and Stephanie got some pictures of everyone together that was there, but I don't have a copy of those pictures yet. It was fun to think of everyone that attended the reunion, but of course not everyone was there so we missed those that didn't attend. After pictures some people left to go home and others left to go check out of their hotels, etc. My siblings and all of our kids stuck around for a bit to get a few cousin pictures. These are all the cousins minus the Sanders' family, who were busy welcoming their new addition Amelia! So, these are only 20 of the 26 grandkids. I really think we got a picture of all of them looking at the camera! Amazing!
Then we all parted ways to get in a few last look at some of the sites and then we all met up at Carthage Jail for the tour there. I really enjoyed watching Kayley eat all this information up about Joseph Smith and the early Saints. Cora liked some of it too, but Kayley really loves to learn new things. Here are the girls in front of the statue of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith in front of the jail.
There were so many of us that we made our own tour group. I felt bad for the sister missionary as she had to talk over all of us and didn't really know what to expect with this many kids/people. But the cousins had a blast being with one another. It was cute because throughout the tour, I told my girls to fold their arms while walking so they wouldn't be tempted to touch something they weren't supposed to touch and I would tell them when they could touch something. They were very well behaved and were even folding their arms on the way up the narrow staircase of the jail. I told Cora she didn't have to fold her arms while walking up the stairs and she could hold onto the bannister so she wouldn't fall. I'm so grateful for such obedient children. They really were very well behaved and Kayley loved hearing the story in the jail.
Then, the hardest part for them I think was to leave their buddy Olivia. They both wanted their own picture taken with her and we are going to be printing these off for them to sleep with. They really love Olivia and hate that she lives so far away! What I think is neat is when I was about Olivia's age (maybe a little bit older) was when Olivia was the age of my girls and I was inseparable with Olivia and Judson. Sometimes they would even prefer me over Jessica. It's fun to see my kids love them as much as they loved me and vice versa!
Kayley's picture with Olivia. She really was attached to her hip this weekend/trip. She kept talking about them driving home safely for the past 3-4 nights after our trip in her prayers.
All in all the reunion was a blast! A big huge thanks to my cousin Sarah for doing almost all of the organizing! I'm sure we'll be calling her for advice as my siblings and I are all in charge of planning the next reunion. Can't wait already for it!
