Trip to Palmyra - Part 2 Palmyra

After a fun night at the red house (which Lizzie still asks to go back to) we headed up to Palmyra, NY.  We got there with enough time to see the Joseph Smith homes. . . 

and the Sacred Grove before lunch time.

After lunch we went to our B&B to see if the kids would take a nap as it would be a late night for them, it didn't work.  Brian took a walk while the rest of us pretended to sleep and got back later then I expected and it made me very worried as I had no way of contacting him.   We got to the pageant later then I thought we should but hours before we needed to.  Happily we got there at just the right time as we saw Brian's sister Linda and part of her family while on our way to claim our seats.  It was fun to get to talk to them for a short time then and let the kids play a little together.  We were also able to find out when we would see them later in costume.

We claimed our seats, . . .

(The seating area as seen from the top of the hill.)

went to the Hill Cumorah Visitor Center, and ate dinner and still had a few hours before we could even see the family again.  Thankfully, as we wondered around we found someone with bubbles.  The kids loved running after them in the big field.

After all of that running around they were a little tired and laid down in the grass while waiting to see the family again.  

At least for a short time before they started to pick it and throw it at each other.

Finally, Linda and her family came out to great people all dressed up.

The youngest three returned to playing happily with their cousins.  Reminds me of "Tennis Shoes Among The Nephites".

We sadly had to let them get to work after visiting with them for a time. 

We really enjoyed the pageant, expect Lizzie who just wanted her blanket for the first half of it.  She did calm down and enjoy the second half.  We had good instructions of when to look for the different members of Linda's family, but the people were all so small on the stage that the only one we could pick out was Kenny, who was John the Baptist.

The next day we were planning to got to Niagara Falls, but found out that Linda's family had the morning off.  They suggested going for ice cream and Brian found himself incapable of refusing ice cream.  It was very good ice cream, too and a lot of it.  We then found ourselves in Palmyra for an extra day and went to the printing shop where The Book of Mormon was printed.

Just before getting there the heavens opened and this is what the back of the building looked like while we were waiting, under a tent, for the tour to start.

And here is Lizzie in front or the printed papers of The Book of Mormon that are drying.

Well after that we went back to the B&B to see if the kids could get some rest.  I left and went on a super fast tour of three of the Palmyra Historical Museums, which took about an hour.  The kids didn't have any luck getting to sleep so we decided to go for a drive and ended up in a park by the Erie Canal listening to a book on tape while our kids got some sleep.  Then off to dinner at Chill & Grill, the same place that we had gotten the ice cream, they do pretty good burgers as well.

Trip to Palmyra - Part 1 Ithaca

Last week Brian took off Thursday and Friday so that we could go up to The Hill Cumorah Pageant.  We left early on Thursday morning and got to Ithaca, New York about lunch time.   We stopped by the information center to find out where some good waterfalls were and where we could eat some lunch.

We then headed to a beautiful waterfall only about a mile away.

Then we headed to a nearby State park where we were able to eat our lunch before going on a 3/4 mile walk/hike to the next waterfall.   There were places where you could walk down by the river or at least put you feet in, which was fun but very slippery.  We mostly stayed on the path where it was shady!!

I think that they said it was the highest waterfall in the east falling something like 180 to 200 feet.  

I was very amazed with Jamie who walked most of the way to the waterfall, while Lizzie rode in the stroller.  By the end of the way back he was getting quite tired of walking so we kicked Lizzie out of the stroller and onto her dad's back.  Aren't they cute.  It is hard for kids to walk so much in the heat.

That night we spent in a bed and breakfast in the national forest near Ithaca.  It was a fun first day of our travels.

Fourth of July Fun

Well I a once again a little late in the posting of pictures but hopefully I can catch up today.

We started the Fourth of July with the parade in our little town.  It was a very interesting parade.  There were some marching bands (but not from the high school), some nice old cars, but mostly fire trucks.  There seemed to be about 7 to 9 different fire departments each with an old fashion and about 3 or 4 other trucks.

This is one of my favorite old fashion trucks, with a hose carriers and buckets.

Jamie and I in front of that same truck.

Brian watching the parade and Lizzie enjoying some of the candy.

This was one of my favorite cars, it is an old farmer truck, for the Chatham Borough Farmers Market which I had been helping with!!

To mark the end of the parade they lit a little house on fire in the middle of the street . . . 

and then these fireman clowns put out the fire.

After the parade we went to two bbq, one at our neighbors and one at a friend from church.  We had a great day and tired the kids out very much.   It was a great day.  My last parade was at the Grand Canyon, five years ago, before that I can't remember when I went to my last parade.  It is good to be able to celebrate such a holiday again!!!

A Cute Video!!

I took this video a few weeks ago, but I have been very slow in getting it up here.  This is something that happens many nights.  I thought this most funny as Lizzie is calling Jamie Georgie Porgie.   I hope that you you all enjoy it also.  Please don't notice the messy kitchen.

Noah's Baby Blessing

This past weekend, for Father's Day, we loaded up the kids and headed to Richmond, VA to be with Brian's sister Rachel and her family as they blessed little 

Noah John Baldwin

Lizzie was very excited to see her cousins.  She was very good during the seven hour car ride as we kept promising her there would be cousins at the end of it.

The kids were also able to see Grandma and Grandpa Hunter.  

Here is Grandma with all of the kids!!

I just love this picture with Grandma, Hunter and Noah.

And finally mother and son.

We had a great time being with the family.  It is so nice that we are close enough to be able to drive down for things like this.  We were sad to have to leave right after dinner, just as Chris and Emily were arriving.  But it was another long drive back, and Brian had to go to work the next day.

Outdoor Fun

Well the weather here hasn't been great most days but we still try to get out and play when we can.  I just thought that I would share a few pictures of the kids having fun outside.

Some very kind people have given us the sand box and the slide.  

(If you haven't heard of freecycle you should check it out.  It is different Yahoo! groups where you can post things that you are about to throw out and see if anyone else in your area could use them.  We have really enjoyed being able to find new homes for things we no longer need, and to make a good home for things that others no longer need.  Okay, okay, back to the kids.) 

It is so nice to have things for the kids to play with in the backyard.  Otherwise they don't stay back there very long and we have to go to a park.

It is amazing home much the kids love to play on this slide even though it isn't much taller then they are, the climbing parts on the sides really help.

Memorial day was also a nice day and so we went to a farm about 45 minutes away.  I have a post on it that most of you probably missed since it took me four weeks to get it up so it is after my crazy day posts.   There favorite part was a Corn Box, so I thought that I would add a picture of that here, too.

 I didn't realize when I did it that there was a movie.  It is a little boring but fun.

Baby Birds

One of the things that I love about where we live is all of the wild animals wondering around.  A month, or so, ago we found that we had a bird's nest in a tree/bush right below our kitchen window.  We later found that there were three little baby birds in the nest.   I loved to hear then chirp away as their parent would bring back food for them.  When they were still very little we could move the tree and get them to chirp and open their mouths for the food.

Then as they grew we could see them over the edge of the nest.

This is the best video that I got where you can hear them chirping away.  In the mornings and evenings I could hear them as I was in the kitchen cooking or cleaning up.  I love it so much.

I was so excited to watch the little birds get pushed out of the nest, and start their own life.  One morning, however, I didn't hear their chirping.  I ran out it the pouring rain to check the nest and it was empty.  The birds had left the nest and I had missed it.  I was very sad.  I still miss hearing their happy chirping each morning and evening.  I even sometimes think that I can still hear them outside, but they are no longer in the nest and it just isn't quite the same.

It has reminded me that all babies some day must leave the nest, no matter how sad it is to parents and others nearby.   The time with my kids at home may seem like an eternity, until they also will have to leave the nest, then it will seem so short.  

I hope I can make the best of the time I have with them, so that short time will be filled with fun and joy!!!!  

I will not miss my kids leaving the nest, I will be there for them!!!