Grandma, Grandpa, Traci, Troy, Chad and a Road Trip
We thoroughly enjoyed having all of the visitors last week. Our house was full of lots of people and lots of fun, too. Grandma, Traci, Troy, and Chad all got here on Sunday, August 19th and then Grandpa joined us on Wednesday of that week. Brendan really bonded with Chad and it was fun to see their excitement with each other.
Early Thursday morning we all got in our cars and headed out on a road trip. Brendan rode in Grandma and Grandpa's car the whole time. Grandma says that he was really good. First we decided to stop at Kirtland, Ohio. Here we were able to visit some of the historical sites for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a picture of Chad and Brendan just in between the saw mill and the ashery which were both owned and run by Newel K. Whitney in Kirtland.
Newel K. Whitney also owned the general store. I was really impressed with the Whitneys and their story. They played a huge role in the early years of the Church in Kirtland. They left Kirtland with the Saints when persecution got to be too much. They emigrated to Utah with the Saints and remained faithful throughout their lives despite the hardships that were placed in their paths.
This is a picture of the temple that the early Saints built in Kirtland. It is owned by the Community of Christ Church right now and doesn't operate like the other temples, but oh what a building. It was built in 1833 but the Saints only used it for 3 years before they had to desert it. Persecution would not allow them to stay in Kirtland any longer and they had to move.
We then got back in the car and traveled to Palmyra, New York where Joseph Smith was living in 1820 when he went to the grove of trees on his family's property to pray to know which church to join. On Friday we visited all of the Church history sites in Palmyra. We got to walk through that same grove of trees where Joseph Smith received an answer that he should not join any church but that the Lord had a work for him to do. These pictures are taken inside the grove. It is not known exactly where the vision occurred, only that it was within this grove of trees. We also got to visit the Smith farm, the frame home, the Hill Cummorah where the Book of Mormon was buried, the Grandin Press where the first edition of the Book of Mormon was printed, and the Whitmer Farm in Fayette, New York where the Church was organized in 1830. There was such a peaceful feeling at all of the sites and I loved going.
Newel K. Whitney also owned the general store. I was really impressed with the Whitneys and their story. They played a huge role in the early years of the Church in Kirtland. They left Kirtland with the Saints when persecution got to be too much. They emigrated to Utah with the Saints and remained faithful throughout their lives despite the hardships that were placed in their paths.
This is a picture of the temple that the early Saints built in Kirtland. It is owned by the Community of Christ Church right now and doesn't operate like the other temples, but oh what a building. It was built in 1833 but the Saints only used it for 3 years before they had to desert it. Persecution would not allow them to stay in Kirtland any longer and they had to move.
We then got back in the car and traveled to Palmyra, New York where Joseph Smith was living in 1820 when he went to the grove of trees on his family's property to pray to know which church to join. On Friday we visited all of the Church history sites in Palmyra. We got to walk through that same grove of trees where Joseph Smith received an answer that he should not join any church but that the Lord had a work for him to do. These pictures are taken inside the grove. It is not known exactly where the vision occurred, only that it was within this grove of trees. We also got to visit the Smith farm, the frame home, the Hill Cummorah where the Book of Mormon was buried, the Grandin Press where the first edition of the Book of Mormon was printed, and the Whitmer Farm in Fayette, New York where the Church was organized in 1830. There was such a peaceful feeling at all of the sites and I loved going.
On Saturday morning, on our way home, we decided to stop at Niagra Falls. It was so windy there. I don't think that the kids enjoyed the wind at all. But the falls were a sight to behold! It is just amazing the amount of water that is dumped over the falls and the power at which it runs over the edge.
Brendan sure thought that it was pretty exciting...he fell asleep!
They both slept through the ride on Maid of the Mist where a boat takes you out to see the falls. We got soaked, but good thing we had our ponchos on. The thought just kept on coming to me that we are supposed to keep plastic away from children...but for this ride we wrapped them in it! I'm just glad they didn't suffocate when they fell asleep!
All in all, we had a great time! It was a quick trip but we enjoyed ourselves. Brendan woke up the day after everyone left and went through withdrawls! We need to move closer to family!
Brendan sure thought that it was pretty exciting...he fell asleep!
They both slept through the ride on Maid of the Mist where a boat takes you out to see the falls. We got soaked, but good thing we had our ponchos on. The thought just kept on coming to me that we are supposed to keep plastic away from children...but for this ride we wrapped them in it! I'm just glad they didn't suffocate when they fell asleep!
All in all, we had a great time! It was a quick trip but we enjoyed ourselves. Brendan woke up the day after everyone left and went through withdrawls! We need to move closer to family!
2 comments:
Wow! What an exciting trip! Looks like ya'll had fun.
That trip looks like it was so fun! I am jealous! I am so happy you gave me your blog address! It IS a great way to keep in touch! I also put your blog as a link on my blog. My mom will want to see your blog and your cute family! Hope you are doing well!
love, Laura
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