Palmyra

We've been so busy seeing and doing fun things that I haven't really had much time to blog about them. A few weeks ago we went to Palmyra and had a great time.
We drove down Friday evening, watched the pageant and then stayed overnight at a hotel. The next day we saw some historical sights and took turns going to the temple.

At the pageant with an actor. A friend from Erie had family in the pageant so we were able to snag great seats- 3 rows back- dead center. It was pretty sweet!.

David and I were both impressed by the pageant. It wasn't a typical cheesy production. Gigi was FASCINATED!!! She watched the entire thing wide eyed and talked about it for days.

The girls and I slept in while David went to an early session at the temple. We had a lot of fun. We snuggled and watched way too many episodes of sponge bob and got some yummy free breakfast. It was so much fun to have a lazy morning with Gigi and Madeline. I love the Hampton Inn.

There is a street corner in Palmyra with 4 churches. It was pretty amazing that there are still so many different religions competing in Palmyra.

Outside the rebuilt Smith log cabin..

David with the girls on the recreated bed where the angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith..

Inside the log cabin..

Inside the frame house that is 80% original. This is the spot where Joseph Smith dug around the bricks and hid the gold plates..

Inside the sacred grove.
Palmyra was such a special place to visit. We loved it!

Budding pianist

5 months old and practicing like a pro!

Kirtland

One great thing about moving a lot is that we are able to visit really cool places without spending a lot of money (well unless you consider moving your entire family every few months expensive :) ).
Last Saturday we went to Kirtland, which is only about an hour away from here. While David was attending BYU he took a week long trip with a photography professor to kirtland to take pictures of the Kirtland temple. He really wanted to go back and since I hadn't been since high school we thought it would be fun.
Kirtland has changed a lot since I had been there. The Newel K Whitney store used to be on a street corner, but the church got rid of the street and put a sidewalk in front of it. They have also built some other historical homes. It is really beautiful.
The community of Christ church built up the landscaping around the temple and built a huge visitors center. The whole place is really spectacular now.
We had a lot of fun taking tours of the temple and the other sites around town. That night we went to a friends house for dinner who recently moved to the Cleveland area(which is about 20 minutes from Kirtland), and saw a play about Kirtland put on by a local stake center. It was a bit cheesy, but Gigi was fascinated. They had a big cut out of the Newel K. Whitney store and Gigi commented- That's where we were today. She really enjoyed seeing Joseph Smith and the other pioneers and has decided that she wants a pioneer costume for Christmas (any ideas how to make one?).We ended the night by getting some ice cream and driving home in peace after the girls fell fast asleep :)

Gigi in an awesome pioneer outfit

outside the temple

Outside the famous store

Gigi and Annie

Us with the Call Family- Matt, James, Lisa, Kimball and Annie.

Don't eat the cows

Last Friday Chick-fil-A was giving away free meals to people that dressed up like cows. Free food...of course we were in. Gigi and I whipped up some cow outfits and taped them on when we got there. Unfortunately, we left a trail of cow spots throughout the restaurant.
They had someone making balloon animals and lots of people in random cow outfits. The food was great and Gigi even got a little maisy book.

Candy comes to visit!

A few weekends ago Candy drove up from Philadelphia to spend the weekend with us. We had so much fun!! Mainly we just hung out, but we did manage to make it to the beach and to Waldameer resort, which has small amusement rides. Gigi rode her first rollercoaster with David. I think she's hooked!


We all cramed into our little car.

Gigi turned Candy's bed into a "nest" that we all enjoyed snuggling in.



Our Magnificent sandcastle.

Madeline's expression watching Gigi on the rides :)

Gigi conquored the rollercoaster! Hooray!