Connor Prairie

Since we were going to be home for a few extra days in between trips, we decided to finally(!!!!) go to Connor Prairie.  It is a living history farms type place outside of Indianapolis that has towns and villages set up around different areas.  We spent all of our time in 1836, so we have lots to check out in future trips (hopefully..).

The kids favorite part was the barn where they could pet sheep and goats.  It took them a little while to warm up to the animals, but then they couldn’t get enough!

Prairie town had a number of buildings and houses with actors pretending to run the place.  The kids enjoyed exploring the empty one room school house.

At the general store Andrew, Emily, and Nathan played the shop keepers grandson in a new game, Nine Man Morris.

Andrew and I loved talking with all the craftsman there that were practicing their trade with tools from 1836.  We chatted for awhile with the blacksmith, woodworker, and potter.  I was asking loads of questions about hand tools and the man said I was the first woman he’s had in his shop interested about wood and carving! I was really impressed with the potter’s adjustable shelving – that might be showing up in a house of ours.

The kids had fun with the stilts after using them a few times in Nauvoo.  Really though, they loved the dirt.  It was a good reminder everywhere we went that they would be just as happy playing outside our home.  A reassuring reality with a newest addition’s arrival getting closer and closer.

After about two hours we headed out for a picnic lunch, followed by a trip to costco to restock on nuts, dried fruit, and toilet paper.  We filled up on samples which was a huge blessing because there was an accident that added an hour to our drive, but the kids were full and sleepy!