NY

In keeping with the past couple years, we decided to road-trip for Tess's birthday. July 11th happens to be free slur-pee day and cow appreciation day. We tried to find a 7-Eleven but had no luck. I brought along some simple cow costumes and made Dan, against his will, dress up for free food. (Tess had a salad for breakfast.)

Our 6 hour drive to Palmyra took 8 hours. Yuck. We stopped at the Hill Cummorah first to save seats and then headed over to the Sacred Grove. A sweet gentlemen working at the Smith Farm gave Tess a dollar when he heard it was her birthday! And then one of the gentlemen on the tour with us gave her another dollar. By the time we finished at the Smith farm it was time to get back to our seats for pageant. I had to stop and take a quick walk around the Palmyra temple, having been a part of the groundbreaking and dedication it's extra special to me.

Above: the Sacred Grove window (where Cara Gilbert asked me about temple cloths)

Below: the Celestial Room window and Tree of Life.

When we got back to our seats I noticed a familiar face sitting behind us. Sister Wozniack, the wife of my old bishop, and Lisa (gave everyone a hand drawn birthday card on their birthday). It was so fun to see her and catch up. Too bad her husband wasn't coming, though I did talk with him on the phone.

Dan took the older kids to go get dinner from the expensive concession stands. Before I could get good pictures of everyone it was dusk and time for the show to start. Jake and Tess LOVED the show. Abby asked some questions that made Dan and I realize we've not been teaching her like we should. Clara was a rascal.
This was the first time I'd seen the pageant since we lived there. The show was very much the same. Abinidi was clothed, the Lamanite dancers were clothed, and there is no more volcano. Other than that it was the same.

The show started with the The Spirit of God playing over the loud speaker and Clara sang at the top of her lungs. So cute.

We spent the night in Brighton and then headed to Niagara Falls!! Unfortunately we had to view it on the American, third world, side since we dont' have pass ports for everyone. Seriously, THIRD WORLD like. Dirty. Stinky. Crowded. And Dirty. But the excitement and amazement on the kids faces was so worth it!!  We took the Maid of the Mist and had a blast getting soaked. Then in the car for a very long 9 hours of driving home, passing through gorgeous Pennsylvania country-side.

So excited waiting to board the boat!

(That red stuff all around Clara's face-- licorice. AKA bribery during our wait. )

Abby's eyes were pealed to the falls the entire time. She wouldn't look at me for a picture until the boat had turned around and headed back to dock.