One long trip...

We took our kids and new minivan on a trip halfway across the country for the Muir family reunion that had been almost two years in the making. Andrew and Lilly are amazing travelers.
Danny didn't like it as much and spent his time either sleeping, eating, or crying.
Will drove most of the way and actually found out that highway patrol officers in Nebraska will pull you over if you speed just like in Nevada.
Not surprising Mary loved the trip and tried to stay smiling through it all.
One of our first stops was at Winters Quarter's in Nebraska one of the places where Mormon Pioneers stopped as they made their way west on their exodus to Salt Lake.
The statue was a dedication to the people who lost their lives there, including children who were buried and left behind. Andrew and Lilly are looking at a baby depicted in a shallow grave which was part of the statue.

One of the things we got to do was dress up a little bit. Lilly fell asleep but Andrew sure did get a kick, or rather a bang, out it.
Andrew also go to try his hand at pulling a handcart replica, which many of the Mormon Pioneers used to transport their possessions across the plains.
He also enjoyed relaxing on a replica of a boat bunk much like that which converts from England and Europe slept in as they traveled to the United States.
In Missouri we met up with some of William's siblings and the kids got to play with cousins.Mount Pisgah is another stopping place along the Mormon Trail. It is in Iowa. William actually has a relative that died and was buried there. All I can say is I'm glad our family doesn't have to stay in a cabin like this.
Our next stop was Nauvoo Illinois. One of the early Latter day Saint cities. Walking through the visitors center was very informative and interesting giving us visuals to go along with all the history we grow up with.
The statue of Joseph Smith Jr. first vision was useful in showing the kids about one of our core beliefs.
A trip to the quarry allowed Andrew to get close up to a life size sun block like the ones on the temple in Nauvoo.The walk to the quarry also allowed us to get some mulberry gleaning in.
It was messy, but yum!

That night we camped and waited for the rest of Will's family to arrive.