New York Trip #3

On our last day up in New York, we made our way towards Niagara Falls. Once again, the weather was just beautiful, but too cool to really want to get soaked by the falls. So, this year we decided to just do the Maid of the Mist boat ride up to the falls. If it had been a really warm day, then we probably would have done more of the hikes right up to the falls. JD knew where we were as soon as he saw the water fall. He was very excited to see it again. We really did have a great trip together. Made us a little sad to think that we won't be able to do this next summer, since we will be in the west once again. We are very excited to move, but at the same time, we will miss the experiences that we have had out here.

JDs first encounter with Seagulls

In line for the Maid of the Mist. He had to give me his Jedi look.

Getting ready to go

Got just a little wet

Mommy and JD

New York Trip #2

So this post won't be as long, since all we did on our second day was go to the zoo and did some shopping. I was pretty worn out that day (thanks to being pregnant) and couldn't really handle doing something really big. The weather was gorgeous, low 70's and sunny! JD was very excited to go to the zoo, since he loves seeing all the animals. He was such a good little guy. There was a little... water hole... i guess you can call it, where kids could wade in the water and play. The water was freezing, but that never bothers JD. If there is water to play in, he is all for it! We had a great day spending it with eachother. Excuse my pics of the animals. Since I have gotten my new camera, I have been trying my hand out with taking pics of nature and animals.

JD and Reed

The skull of a wolf

An annoyed mountain lion

The three little bears

The tusk was surprisingly heavy!

Happy boy playing in the water

I love bald eagles

This one was really pretty

Trip to New York #1

On a spur of the moment decision, we decided to head up to Palmyra, NY to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant and other sites. I'm so glad that we did, since this might be the last time that we will live close enough to it. We left early in the morning and got up to Rochester in the early afternoon (it's about a seven hour drive). When we arrived, it was pouring rain. I just said a prayer in my heart that it would stop in time for the Pageant that night.

My Uncle Tom, Aunt Jana, and their daughter Tami (along with her friend, Anna) were up there at the same time. When we got to Palmyra around 3 in the afternoon, the sun was out and it was beautiful (besides the ground being soaked and soggy). We stopped at the stage first to lay down some stuff (two coats, a blanket, and a towel) on the chairs for seven people. We met up with Tom and Jana at the Sacred Grove. I wasn't able to get that many pics cause you really had to watch where you were stepping or you could slide in the mud. After spending time in the Sacred Grove and getting some dinner, we got to the Pageant about an hour before it started. The weather was great, with clouds only in the distance. JD was very excited for it to start. He remembered seeing it last year and wanted to see "Jesus" again.

About half way through it, the wind started to pick up and the clouds that were so far away were alot closer now. I kept praying that it would just miss us and storm away. Samuel the Lamanite came on stage telling the people to repent. As he was preaching, there was lightning and thunder starting to happen. His line, " Thunder and lightning, eathquakes and fires..." that got quite a few laughs out of people. A few minutes latter, over the loud speaker, they told the cast to get off of the stage and that there will be a ten minute intermission. As soon as the cast was clear, a down pour of rain came! With the coats, blankets (the girls brought some more to sit on), and the towel, all seven of us hurried to huddle under what little cover we had. Many people started to run to their cars while some, like us, kept on the chairs and covered up. I made the remark that the special effects this year were really amazing.

After what seemed like forever, the rain stopped and everyone cheered. Unfortuntely, there was another storm coming after it, so it was canceled. I was sad that it was, but mostly for people (like my Uncle and Aunt) who traveled very far to see it. We all got a laugh about it, but it's a good memory for us. We did have a good time with our family and seeing what we could of the Pageant.

JD and Reed

Trying my hand out at some nature shots

The Sacred Grove

JD is showing off his Jedi face

Chelle, Tom, Jana, Tami, and Anna

The beginning with the whole cast!

Our makeshift shelter from the rain.