We planned a fabulous family vacation that I have wanted to do since I was a little girl...and it was incredible! We drove to Upstate New York to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant! I could add so many details, but I'll have to let the pictures do the talking! After checking into our hotel in Rochester, we drove to Palmyra, NY and got our seats for the pageant. Hill Cumorah is the site where the gold plates were buried that Joseph Smith translated that we, as Latter-day Saints, now claim as scripture, along with the Old and New Testaments. Such an AMAZING place! We were quite early, so I took the kids to the Visitor's Center (lots of LDS temples have a Visitor's Center; go check out one near you!). Annie LOVED the display of the Book of Mormon copies in each translation; I think there were either just over or just under 130 languages!
Again, another beautiful moment captured on film. Still brings tears to my eyes to remember the feelings of this day. We walked a few minutes back to our seats. Outside the gates of the pageant area are protesters with blow horns. There is such a stark contrast to the peace inside the Visitor's Center and the anger and contention as we walked across the field. The kids couldn't understand why people would talk so ugly about another religion. We had a great discussion on what it means to be a Christian. So, ugly-voiced protesters, thank you for providing a teaching-moment!
The cast of the show walk around for a few hours before it starts. Ben was so embarrassed each time we suggested he get a picture. The girls had no such fear! Friday night was fun because another family from down the street met us there - Hello Carrolls!!! We sing in the choir together and she is the cubmaster at church.
Finally, Ben felt comfortable enough to get a picture. The one person he is okay with, Moroni - the prophet who buried the plates. Again, such an incredible feeling. Watching the show was incredible! The pageant runs through different scenes from the Bible and Book of Mormon. Ben loved the destruction when Christ was crucified. Annie and Emily loved when Christ was resurrected and visited the people in America.
Saturday we played around Rochester, went to Red Lobster and swam in the pool. The kids wanted to see the pageant again, so we headed back to Palmyra and stopped to see the site where the Book of Mormon was published. REALLY COOL! Just to prove it, Andy took lots and lots and lots of pictures, but I can't remember the details, so just take my word for it!
Saturday night the kids were a lot more willing to ask for pictures. Annie wanted her favorite character...a dancer (basically a no-name little part). The funny thing was, the dancer's husband was Mormon (below). She was shocked that the girls wanted a picture with her instead of her husband!
Ahh, a picture with Joseph Smith and his friend. Anyone can be in the pageant. These two boys decided to come from Utah to experience it. They were either just about to send in their mission papers or already had the calls. Again, really neat feeling!
This is Mormon. Wow - check out the link (it's short).
This is a perfect example of Ben in and out of his element. Friday, we had to practically BEG him to be in a picture. Saturday (when he felt comfortable and knew what to expect), he wanted Andy to follow him around with the camera. He would walk up to groups of people and ask for a picture.
Sunday we went to a local ward for church. Andy and I just planned to stay for the first hour. The kids convinced us to stay for the 3 hour block because they wanted to go to primary! Okay...then we did several other church sites, knowing that time was running out. We saw the Peter Whitmer Farm.
The Smith Homestead. This is the actual site where the Smith family lived. The foundation is still there, but the home has been re-created. President Hinckley said this is the same airspace that Moroni appeared (as an angel) to Joseph Smith when he was a 14 year old boy. (And, if you believe the Bible, you can see that angels appeared then, too.) Although the room was very HOT and HUMID - another incredible feeling and experience!
Walking the path to The Sacred Grove. This is where Joseph Smith went to pray (James 1:5).
The kids hanging out in the Sacred Grove. As an answer to Joseph's prayer, he received The First Vision, which is how we know that God the Father and Jesus Christ are two separate personages (and have bodies) yet unite with the Holy Spirit for one purpose. Very cool and spiritual place - and it's always open for anyone to go in and meditate, pray, etc.
Picture with the beautiful Palmyra, New York temple... We went and hit the Visitor's Center again, since Andy hadn't been there yet. Then we climbed to the top of Hill Cumorah. Our camera battery was d.e.a.d, so we didn't get a cool picture there. I think of everything we did, being at the top of Hill Cumorah was my very favorite moment. Moroni DID bury the plates there. Moroni DID appear to Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon IS another testament of Christ. Jesus and Heavenly Father DO know my name. There IS a living prophet on the earth today. Jesus Christ DOES still reveal his will to the one and only prophet, Thomas S. Monson. NO question in my mind...
We came home exhausted Sunday night to make dinner of ravioli from a little dairy we found on Saturday. Dessert was a yummy cinnamon ice cream - flavored with Red Hots! Monday morning we were off to the Strong Museum! Fabulous!!!!
The kids spent a good HOUR in just this section, loading their carts, ringing up purchases, putting everything back, and repeat! Ben had me go around with him and tell him what ingredients we needed to buy for certain recipes that he likes. It was fabulous! Granted, I quite LOVE grocery shopping myself...if only they were this excited at Walmart...
Mondays turned out to be 1/2 price shake day! The girls and I shared a chocolate one. I love that we each have different colored eyes...so amazing!
As previously noted, I worry that someone might get lost, so we either take a picture or dress alike. This day, the girls did BYU blue and the boys were SUPERMAN - just in case! Yea, and the person that took this picture didn't do such a stellar job!
The person who took this one didn't take such a hot shot either...hmm, who could that have been?!?
Since we decided to join the museum, we got 6 tickets for carousel rides, on our way out (after the official closing time). We planned to let the kids ride twice, although the nice operator let the second ride be free. Since we didn't plan to be back in the area, we gave our free carousel rides to a nice older woman in the parking lot. She has lots of grandkids and loved them! (Coincidentally {?} the following week, someone came up and gave us a free kid's meal ticket as they didn't have any children that would use it.)
SUPER fun day! We ran home to swim in the pool and then sacked out in bed!
After a quick 2 hour drive, we stopped at Niagara Falls! Umm, can't you tell my family is walking?!?
We splurged and bought Maid of the Mist tickets (definitely WORTH IT!). Incredible...
Love the family pictures! Mitchell is under Andy's raincoat in the backpack.
Just beautiful. A must-see!
This was the sign in the window we passed on the way back to the car. Very creative, I must say!
Yes, we saw the Wiener-mobile on our drive home. Andy made me get the camera out to take a picture. The kids thought this was just so neat! (I can't imagine how horrible the mpg must be!)
We dropped Andy off at class and then headed home to change and unload the car (in 15 minutes) before we headed to the church for my women's meeting. Only to arrive and find that all the doors were locked...and Andy had the key. So, we picked up some chick-filet and ate in the gym while I set up for the evening. Andy picked up the kids. 30 minutes into our meeting, my friend gets a call from Andy. Our basement had flooded while we were out of town...thus began the several week process of cleaning up a flooded basement/carpet.
