Pictures- FINALLY!

Our family has come and gone quite awhile ago but I'm just getting around to posting photos here on the blog. We have a lovely apartment here- for 2 people. It got a little crowded with 18 in the first batch and 5 in the second batch added to the two of us. The pictures are probably not as good as they might have been had I used a conventional camera. Phones tend to be more readily available. The pictures reflect the various activities our clan was involved in while here.  Food is always a major attraction. After a barbeque at the park across the road, we gathered to sing happy birthday to one of the kids and enjoy ice cream cake.                                            

                           

 After the cake, Grandpa helped the birthday boy figure out how to use the gift the whole family had pitched in to give him. It wasn't battery or any other power operated! Aaron (the one in the colorful shirt) is interested in astronomy so we gave him a telescope to explore the universe- or at least whatever he can manage to see of it.

 The blur in this picture is one of the youngest of the grandchildren. She tends to be very active in case you couldn't tell. I tried to get a picture a couple of times without her blur in the forefront but this is the best I could manage. On the table you can see remnants of a Scrabble game. Playing board games is another family favorite activity.

We spotted this Lego knock-off kit when we were in Salt Lake City for training but it was a bit pricey for our taste. Here in Nauvoo, the temple matron was able to order kits at a  bulk price for all of us missionary grandparents who have Lego-loving families. The kids were good about sharing the construction  but it didn't take them long to complete it! Hand-held electronics are a favorite, especially of the boys and nearly as much as building with Legos, even if it means just watching their cousins play.

 The younger girls spent quite a bit of time on our electric piano that fortunately made it through our trailer rollover on the way to our mission. All of the kids like it but the girls spent the most time on it. They played around more than actually played anything. It makes all kids of interesting sounds including drumbeats.

Our last group wasn't able to work out family schedule to be here with the rest, which was actually nice. We were able to spend more time with them. All the kids went to the sites here but we weren't able to go with them. We were able to go with the last family group. Here is Grandpa watching over a grandson helping in the print shop. Having our family come to Nauvoo has made us feel loved and appreciated. We are so grateful they all made the effort to come!