4th of July 🏴

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. 
--Erma Bombeck

Small town celebrations are so much fun. There was a huge party thrown in Nauvoo--to watch the fireworks that were set off across the river in Iowa. A free barbecue with hots dogs and burgers was provided by the construction workers who are building the new temple visitors' center and hosted by the Church's FM group. People gathered on the hill just outside the temple for hours and were rewarded with a glorious sunset over the river (something we get to experience often around here). Bagpipers entertained, people broke out singing spontaneous patriotic songs, and kids had sparklers. It was fun to watch. And this was all on the night before, on July 3.


Stan and his family arrived late on the Fourth after a 3-hour flight delay. Ugh. They got here shortly after we finished our shift at the temple (yes, the Nauvoo Temple celebrates the Fourth of July by being open regular hours). Soon after they got to our apartment, the fireflies came out. And come out they did. On two sides of our apartment we have lots of grassy fields with no other buildings nearby, so fireflies abound. The kids had fun chasing the delightful bugs and often were able to catch an occasional one.

Nauvoo has lots of bugs. We don't mind the firefly version.

Of course, Stan and family enjoyed many of the sites.

with the oxen
David greasing the wheel at the wainwright shop
And Will, rustling sheep
At the Seventies Hall

Wagon ride

Lifting a stone

Everyone's favorite--the Red Brick Store

We went to "Sunset on the Mississippi" again. Fun show.

At the post office


Sunday we attended the visitors' branch and then took pictures before grabbing a bite to eat and visiting more sites.

We enjoyed two days of their company before they left on Monday morning.



Answers to last week's question will be in next week's blog. Keep guessing!



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