Vacation Part 3

On Friday we went back to Palmyra because there were things that we didn't have time to see. We started at the Hill Cumorah and went through the visitor center and then went to the to see the monument on the top of the Hill.

Here is Zachary, Eden, Naomi, and cousin Alyssa outside the visitor center.

Here is most of the group by the monument. We stopped and had a picnic near by before heading off again. Why can't anyone look at the camera?!

Naomi and Ammon outside the Palmyra Temple.



As always the grounds were beautiful. Eden wanted a picture of purple flowers

and Naomi wanted a picture of pink flowers.

This is the inside of the replica Whitmer cabin where the church was restored. It was built on the original foundation. There is a chapel/visitor center on the same grounds. The chapel is beautiful and built in 1830 style.

Saturday we had just a fun day. We went to Seabreeze amusement park so the kids could just run and play.

Mike and Sariah after going on a roller coaster. She decided that she hated it and wouldn't do it again. Mike decided that he hated the teacups and wouldn't do those again not matter how much the twins begged. Aunt Rachel took them for a second go on the teacups and then she also decided once was enough!

Naomi in the white car and Eden in the red. They thought they were so cool on these rides all by themselves.

Ammon, Uncle Paul and cousin Tyler on the log ride

You can't see, but Eden in the front.

Eden, Alyssa, Aunt Rachel

Aunt Rachel and Alyssa went again to take Naomi.

So this ended the play time in New York. We had a wonderful time! We had to go start packing and getting ready to come home.

Sunday we got everyone at 3.30 so we could get everyone dressed and going since we had a 6 am flight. Again my kids were soooo good. I would have expected some crying and whining, but no. The biggest problem was on the flight from Chicago to OKC Ammon got a little sad and then fell asleep. If I had the $$$ I would not feel nervous about traveling with my kids again. We did get a few looks because we are a big group, but no one could say they were bad or annoying.

Thanks again to my wonderful In-laws for their hard work to make this all possible for us. We love you!

Vacation Part 2

Thursday we went to the Strong Museum of Play. What a cool place this was! Everything was to get kids to play and use their imaginations. It was huge and we really could have stayed all day to get to see and do everything. There was a grocery store, and airplane, a Sesame Street area, and so many more areas. Eden was my buddy here and we only saw about half of the place. The kids had so much fun! Eden at the Lego table.

Grandma, Sariah, Eden (in front of gma) and Naomi on the train

After lunch at The Cheesecake Factory (YUMMY! I had Godiva cheesecake), we headed to Palmyra. Here is a picture of where Joseph Smith had to sleep with 2 brothers. No more complaining about sharing a room!

This is a picture of the Temple from the Smith Family Farm. The temple has a w

window that looks out over the Sacred Grove, which is directly behind me as I took

this pic.


Next we went to the sacred grove. So beautiful and peaceful! I snuck of from the group and had a couple of minutes to myself. Wow.

Here is Naomi in the Sacred Grove

And Ammon. We got all the kids. I hope they remember this special place.

Here is the entire family just outside the Grove

That night we saw the pageant and it was great! This is a shot of all the cast during the first song.

It brought back memories of my family being in the Independence, MO pageant when we were younger.

Another busy day and very late day. Again, so thankful for terrific grandparents!

Vacation Part 1

Eden loved the flowers in
the park by the Falls

Zachary looking at the Falls.

Canada is in the background.

The kids thought that was cool be able to see Canada.

The only way we have ever traveled as a family is in a car, which my husband will tell you, I hate! I am probably a bigger whinner that the kids. But, in my defense, sitting in the car all day makes my hip hurt! Part of the joys of giving birth to so many children! Anyway, enough verbal wandering. This year Mikes parents arranged for a family reunion in New York. We are so blessed to have them! They paid for everything and we are so thankful for their generousity!! So we all got to go on our first plane trip! (well for the kids and the last time I flew I was 13 so it was just like my first time, too!). I am about to be a dork so brace yourself.... I loved it!!!! It wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. I was worried about keeping track of kids and keeping them all happy. My kids were sooooo good! Really, they were so good! Not one problem!!! I think back and I am amazed at how kind they all were to each other. Have I gushed enough about how good they were? We didn't have any problems traveling until we got to NY. That is when we found out that my in-laws flight got diverted so they ended up driving and not getting into town until about 2 or 3 in the morning (I think). So that wasn't even really a problem (not for us). That was Tues. Ammon in front of the falls

Wed. the plan was to go to Niagra falls. We were part of a tour group, which is the way to go. You get to skip most of the lines. The kids loved getting all wet. I didn't mostly because I wear glasses and water on you glasses means you can't see. We had the goofiest tour guide. It was only his third tour and he wasn't very good at driving the bus. All a very good, but busy day.

Mom made my hair crazy!

Today I straightened Eden and Naomi's hair just for fun. Eden liked it and kept saying "I'm beautiful." Naomi told her it looked good and she corrected her "No, I'm beautiful"

Naomi then wanted hers done and then wasn't so sure. I told her that her curls would come back after her bath. After lunch she wanted a bath. When Mike got home she was very put out and told him "Mom made my hair crazy! And Ammon messed it up!" So after a bath all is right in her world again and I had to promise Eden we could straighten hers again sometime!

Pictures and a report of our trip to New York coming soon!