What can you do in 3 days?

(I wont post ALL of the pictures, I promise.)

Day 1: Niagara Falls

The falls are so powerful.  You can feel the energy in the air.

Priceless! 

A picture of Todd facing the camera AND smiling.

It was a misty/rainy afternoon, but not enough to ruin our day.

So beautiful.  Have you been?

Day 2:  Palmyra, New York

The Sacred Grove

The Layne Colman Family at the Palmyra Temple

Can you find Mitch in this picture?  He blends right in. 

This is Smith Family's log cabin house.

Layne wishing that his orchard was as mature as the one

between the Smith Family log cabin and the Smith Family frame house.

A funny note, the log cabin house is in Palmyra and the frame house is in Manchester.  (or maybe the other way around?) They are only about 150 yards apart.  Same situation at the Palmyra temple.  The temple is in the Palmyra city limits and the parking lot is in the Manchester city limits.

The boys walking up to the Smith Family frame house.

Taking a little break after hiking around the Sacred Grove.

Alma the missionary, left (also a fellow Mud Lake, ID citizen, Daniel Hulse.)

Sam, the son of Lehi, right

Judd & Mitch posing with Laman, before the Hill Cumorah Pageant started.

It was the 75th Anniversary of the Hill Cumorah Pageant this year.

Here ware two characters in the pageant.

Waiting....

Waiting...

Yea, it is starting!

Awesome special effects.

This is Lehi's dream at the Tree of Life.

Mitch's hero, Joseph Smith.

The stage, while we were waiting for the pageant to begin.

We also visited other areas in Palmyra.  We really enjoyed touring the Egbert B. Grandin bookstore and print shop.  The Erie Canal.  A lemonade stand with awesome chocolate chip cookies.  As always, Josie found a candy store to buy fudge.  It was a perfect day.  It stayed overcast and didn't get above 70°.  We walked 13,746 steps and climbed 13 flights of stairs. (I know because of my fitbit Ü). 

Day 3:  Kirtland

The sister missionary, Sister Hillman, that took our picture here at the Whitney store is from the Terreton Stake.  Roberts 1st Ward.  Isn't it funny how small the world is within the church?

Josie had already been in Kirtland the week before, but she was sweet to let the rest of us tour without complaint.  Our young women go to the John Johnson farm for Girls Camp every year, and one day is always a tour of Kirtland.  I didn't take many pictures of Kirtland.  That is kind of sad.  I think our whirlwind trip had started to wind me down at that point.  We didn't even have it in us to go down to the John Johnson farm, so we'll have to slip up there in a month or two.  That will be more fun because the trees will be in full color. 

By the time we finished up the church's sites, the boys just wanted to drive by the temple.  I asked why and they said they were tired and wanted to go home to play with Jimmer.

Ya, they missed their dog.

I think he missed us too.  He about had a heart attack welcoming us when we got home.

We had a wonderful family vacation.  We packed food and were able to have picnics for our lunches at some of the most beautiful locations.  It was so much fun.  We got to see beautiful things and places.  We got to feel the sweet spirit that is always at the church history sites.  We got to take a break from our extra busy summer and just do things together as a family. 

Did you get to do something fun with your family this summer?

Do tell.

March in a Nutshell

Well, I'm not sure how this month flew by so quickly, but we are only days away from April.

I'll try to remember a few of the highlights.

The first weekend of the month was Mitch's Pinewood Derby.

It was a LONG derby. 

Sadly, I can't remember what place he came in.

Obviously it was 1st.  I think I would have remembered 1st.

But he had fun and already planning for next years race. 

I had my 36th birthday.

Justin decided that year 36 means you are officially old.

Perhaps I am.  I feel very tired and forgetful these days.

But it was a nice day. 

I had a couple lunches out and some fun gifts. 

I always enjoy my birthday.

Justin had his Kindergarten Screening/Registration.  He was pretty excited.  He did well and is ready to go.  When the teacher asked him if he knew his alphabet he said, "Sure I do."  So she pulled out a paper with them all on there and what did he say?  "Holy Crap!  That's a lot of letters!" and then preceeded to tell her what their names are.

She came out laughing her head off to tell me.  Then she made a note of it for Mrs. Rice (the principle).  When she read it she started laughing and commented that he wasn't as quiet as Mitch or Todd. 

They have to take him, right?  I mean, I pay my taxes and everyting.

And just to be sure that I completely loose my mind this month I've decided to drive the kids to Idaho during their spring break.  Layne can't make it, so it is just me & the kids.  This ought to be interesting.  They always do really well on those long 30 hour drives, so I'm not too worried. 

Although, Justin is.  He is sure that I'm going to get us lost.

I keep showing him that there are only three different roads we have to get on.  It shouldn't be too hard.

I have all sorts of plans.  Visiting as much family as possible, including two little neices we've never met & a brother-in-law we've never met, checking out my mom & dad's new digs, hair appointments, swimming at Green Canyon, lunch with my Granny, my first Hen & Chick's party, Mini Bazaar while it is open (haven't done that in at least 5 years), and several visits to Scotty's to induldge myself in as much Ironport & Cherry pop that my gut can stand. 

I'm sure there is more on my list and more that will be added to my list.  I kind of like to just go with the flow when I'm on vaca.

Like the Ironport, I always pick up some food articles that I can't get here in Ohio.  I think I can understand Aunt Millie (maybe like 2% understand) wanting something and it just isn't around to have.

Oh, for those of you that keep asking about the progress on the house....

I hope to see some of this action when I get back.

Everything is ready to go.  We are just waiting to be able to get out in the field without getting stuck.

This post has been very random.

I know I've missed a ton of stuff because we've been running around like chickens with their heads cut off. 

Winter was so long this year, but the fun stuff has started up again:

kite flying

baseball

spring flowers

green grass

So all is good.......

Happy Easter to everyone!