Family Trip

After 10 years of marriage and 4 kids later Charlie and I just survived our first family vacation. We realized as we got on the road that every trip we have ever taken has been to see family or with family. I hope our next trip is not another 10 years away because although it was tiring we had a blast and made some great memories.

We started our trip in Palmyra to see some church sites and go to the Hill Cummorah pageant.

We went to the visitors center and then hiked up to the top of the hill. It felt so good to get out of the car and move our legs around for a few minutes.

We then headed over to Joseph Smith's home and then to the sacred grove. We had a great family home evening the Monday before we left about all that we were going to see. Abby and I had a great moment in the grove where we sat on a bench and no one else was around and we talked about how amazing it must have been to look up and see Heavenly Father and Jesus standing right above us. She for sure felt the spirit and I hope that she remembers this trip and the feelings she had.

This was us walking into the sacred grove.

A family in our ward was actually in the pageant this year and saved us front row seats to the show. The kids LOVED all the fire and rain and stayed awake through the whole thing despite the long day. We made it back to the hotel around 11:45 and were ready for bed!

The next day we headed to Niagara Falls. When we got there it was raining but that did not stop us from having fun considering the fact that we were about to get VERY wet soon any way. Our first stop was to a walk way that went right next to and under the falls. We put on our ponchos....but I don't think they served much purpose. There is a point where you can go stand right under the falls and I was already pretty wet and was not wanting to go but Abby grabbed my arm and pulled me under and we both got SOAKED from head to toe. I screamed at the top of my lungs and she laughed so hard. I have to admit it was one of my most favorite parts of the trip.

I LOVE this picture of Samuel in his poncho. He was such a good sport on the trip.

This is a little bit of the bridge we went out on. On the top of the picture where the falls are coming down is the part you can stand under where Abby pulled me to. The force was amazing!

We stayed in an beautiful hotel that looked right over the falls. The kids loved sitting on the floor and just looking out the window. The two shots below are from the window in our hotel. It was a splurge but I think well worth it.

That night we walked around town and went right up next to the falls to watch the fireworks. We were right under them so they were really big and loud and the kids loved it. Samuel LOVES fireworks and I snapped this shot of him watching the show in all his glory.

Our last adventure was a hike behind the falls. It is amazing to hear the roar of the water and feel it rumble the ground beneath your feet. I went on this same hike when I was little and still remember it....I hope my kids do too!

Here are our last few shots by the falls. The trip was a success. Charlie and I even had a moment alone one night after we put the kids to bed. We ordered some cheesecake and chocolate cake and went and sat in the bathroom and whispered quietly as we ate! Nothing spells romance like eating cheesecake while sitting on the toilet! Hey...you have to give us credit for at least trying :)

Baptism Day

I have been a bad blogger lately but I am going to do my best the next few days to catch up on some of the great fun we have been having.

A few weeks ago we baptized our first child!!!! I can't believe I am old enough to have a daughter who is baptized and has started activity day girls. The day was wonderful. We had both sets of grandparents in town and that made the day even more special. Abby was so excited and was well prepared for the step she was about to take. One of my favorite moments was seeing Abby stand between her grandmothers and sing. They sounded beautiful together and I am so happy Abby has so many wonderful women in her life to be an example to her.

I can't explain the joy that filled my heart as I saw her enter the font with her proud father waiting for her on the other end. As soon as he took her hand my eyes filled with tears. I met Abby with a towel when she was done and her fist question was, "Mom, are you ok?" I scooped her up and gave her a big wet hug and told her how proud I was of her. I then got to change her into her beautiful white dress, which made me cry even more. I could not help to think ahead to the future and realize that before I know it I will be standing in the brides room in the temple once again helping her into another beautiful white dress.

It was such a special moment between just the two of us. The kind of moment that does not come around very often. I am so lucky to be Abby's mom.

I have to give a big thank you to our families who came. It was a wonderful few days and we wish we could have them more often. Thank you for taking the time to be here. It meant the world to Abby and to us.

This will go down in history as one of my most favorite days ever!