Rope making in Old Nauvoo

We love living so close to Nauvoo, IL. We live in the Nauvoo Temple district, and therefore, every month or so we take a trip to Nauvoo to attend the temple and enjoy the pioneer sites offered in Old Nauvoo. Usually, we don't have a babysitter, and so Jon and I take turns attending the temple and watching kids, during which time we take the kids around and see the sites. Brad's favorite pioneer sites to see in Nauvoo are the Bakery, and the Family Living Center. He will always tell me, "Mom, we go get a cookie, then go get bread, then make a rope..." So, we do just that. I love that he is so excited to be in Nauvoo. In the Family Living Center, there is an area where the missionaries will teach how the pioneers made ropes. During the fall and winter when we come, there is almost no one there, and so Brad gets to be the "big helper" in making the rope. The missionaries are so patient and love him being a part of the experience. As you can see, they help him turn the big wheel, and then they give him a chance to turn the smaller wheel all by himself (which is a 2 year olds dream!). BTW, for those interested, the missionary standing up (above) is Brother Hills. He is my cousin's (Jessica Hills) father in-law. On this same day, his wife, Sister Hills, gave us the Weaving and Yarn making presentation. It was so fun to see them, and find a family connection in Nauvoo!Brad takes his jobs very seriously. I love his face in this picture. He really was concentrating so hard to spin the wheel fast and do just what the missionaries asked. Bradley loves Nauvoo and he loves the Nauvoo Temple. Every night in his prayers, he always prays for Nauvoo. He calls it our temple, and loves going to the temple. It makes my heart sing!