July 11th-14th in Ohio

On July 11th through the 14th, we took a road trip up to New York. We thought it would be a good idea to go to Palmyra, New York to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant. So, on Monday the 11th, we all loaded up into a 15 passenger van that Garrett's parents had rented for the trip. There were 13 of us...6 adults...7 kids...4 carseats...2 strollers...and many suitcases, backpacks and a cooler. We were pretty squished. We drove all day to Rochester and had dinner at Cracker Barrel.  We really had a good time though.
July 12th We all had rough nights after the long drive and the babies not having good naps and getting to bed late. My two oldest girls slept in the hotel room with grandma and grandpa and were being a little silly in the middle of the night. Therefore, grandma and grandpa were tired also. So, we had a leisurely morning with swimming for the kids and some naps for the babies and grandparents. In the afternoon, we headed to Palmyra to see the Sacred Grove and the house where Joseph Smith and his family lived.

Grandparents and grandkids outside the Sacred Grove.

All 13 of us

Reading the information signs along the way

The Sacred Grove is a beautiful, quiet place

Our family minus Paige who had gone ahead with the rest of the group. While we were walking through the grove, we found a bench and pulled out Lydia's itouch and read in the scriptures the account of Joseph Smith seeing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in this very place. Garrett bore his testimony about Joseph Smith and his part in the restoration--it was a very neat moment.

Getting a diaper change in the great outdoors (Don't worry...not in the Sacred Grove)

Taking a break

A view of the beautiful Palmyra Temple.

Looking at the Smith Family Farm

Their house

Listening to the sister Missionaries

Another view of the house

This is up on the Hill Cumorah looking down on the stage and the chairs set up for the audience.

This is us on top of the Hill Cumorah with the statue of Moroni

Before heading down to our chairs for the performance we took an hour and went and toured the EB Grandin Building where they published and sold the Book of Mormon. We got there right before it was closing, so we kind of had to hurry through, so I didn't get any pictures. It was neat though. It seemed very different from when I went there as a teenager.

The stage

Lydia and one of the actors. He played one of the 3 wisemen. Lydia really enjoyed asking a couple of the actors who they were. They all walked around and mingled with the audience before it started.

Lydia, Paige and "Joseph Smith"

A beautiful sunset

This was the opening scene...it was so cool! Maggie and Lydia really enjoyed it...the younger three were too tired to care. Both of their favorite parts (mine too) was when the Savior came to the Nephites. What a powerful moment, and they portrayed it so well! I am really glad that we were able to go and see it.

July 13th

Today, after swimming in the pool in the morning and letting the babies nap, we loaded into the van again and headed up to Canada to see Niagara Falls. We didn't get there until the late afternoon, but still had time to ride on the Maid of the Mist boats.

Aren't we all so fashionable in our blue plastic?

Noah didn't like the boat ride. I think it was the blue plastic on his head and the spray of water in his face from the waterfall. He was not happy.

The Passeys

This was our souvenier picture. Fun, but incredibly fake.

After we got off the boat, we wanted to look around the town a bit. It is so much like Vegas, I was really surprised. Big, loud, full of lights, and crowded. It was cool, but a bit much for me. We decided to get a quick bite to eat and head back to the hotel. It was late and kids were very tired!

July 14th

We decided to head back to the falls before heading home because we wanted to see the Falls from the top and do a little souvenier shopping.

Looking at souveniers

Oh Canada...

Noah trying to play with Amelia

This little grassy area was by the parking lot. While we were trying to get seats arranged and bags arranged, the kids played awhile. Lydia liked climbing the trees.

This is Celeste and Bella. Maggie took the picture--I think it's a great shot of two cute girls.

Trying to get settled.

Not the greatest picture of everyone, but trying to show how tight we were packed in. Garrett was our driver and Jake was the navigator sometimes. We didn't leave the falls until like 3 pm, so by the time we got home, it was midnight. It was a long drive back home, but a really fun trip.