New York Cousins

My newest nephew, Luke. He started smiling while I was out there, of course, because he loves his favorite Aunt Jen. :) SO cute. I just wanted to hold him the whole trip. Which I did.

The very energetic and hilarious Tyler. He is two, just a couple of months older than Megan, but is much taller. He didn't know what to think of me at first, but he warmed up and we had lots of fun. His giggle is very infectious, loves to watch movies on the computer and drink "choc'late milk."

Ben (7) and Kenzie (almost 5 in these pics). I had lots of fun talking about books with Ben--he is a HUGE reader--and Kenzie would crack me up with all of her songs and poses, both of which she does all. the. time. She sings everything which drives Ben crazy. And when I say everything, I do mean EVERYTHING from what she is picking up off the floor, to what the kids are doing, to just random noise. It was hilarious to listen to.

At the Children's Museum in Syracuse. Gross (which is what he was going for I think) but very funny.

New York Palmyra Pictures

Entertaining ourselves in the backseat on our way to the Hill Cumorah pageant.

(McKenzie, Ben & me)

At Hill Cumorah. They have a huge stage (all the stone steps) that is set up on the hill and looks like it's been there forever even though they put it up and tear it down each summer. It was amazing the number of people who come--regardless of religion--and from how far. Before the pageant starts, all the actors and a zillion missionaries walk around handing out Books of Mormon and pass along cards and talking to the audience.

With it being so dark and my dinky little camera, it was difficult to get any good pictures of the actual Pageant. Besides the fact that my flash going off irritated all those around me. Oops!

But this is a scene of Lehi's dream with the Tree of Life. The special effects they use are amazing, there's water, fire, besides just lighting. And everytime Jesus was part of it, my cute little nephew Tyler would yell out "JESUS!" and "ooohhhh" and "ahhhh". Very entertaining.

Later that week we went back to Hill Cumorah and Palymra to check things out in the daylight.

Monument at Hill Cumorah

Palmyra Temple seen from Joseph Smith's farmhouse.


Palmyra Temple up close.

Pathway from Smith home to Sacred Grove.

Smith's farmhouse (where Joseph Smith grew up)


Probably my favorite picture of the entire trip (and I actually took it with my dinky point and shoot camera). I absolutely love the lighting and the trees.

The Sacred Grove

Niagara Falls (pics, pics oh and wait..more pics)

Niagara (pronounced NI-ah-guh-ruh as we were told many times throughout the tours) from the view tower:

Our beautiful scraggly selves, in beautiful blue trash bag ponchos, after the Maid of the Mist tour where you ride in a ferry around the bottom of the Falls. Pretty cool.

These next two were taken while on the ferry ride. All the mist coming off the Falls could be seen miles away--from the freeway it looks like smoke billowing up from a gigantic fire.

Rainbow Bridge that crosses over to Canada. Sooooo close to going international.






Absolutely soaking wet after doing the tour where you walk at the bottom of the Falls on a deck and can actually touch them. Very cool--amazing power from the Falls. They waves crashing onto the deck would push me and my sis Melissa across the deck a bit. It was awesome.

Those crazy people in yellow? That's the Tour at the bottom of the falls. Freakin' awesome.

Me in front of Canada. :)

Melissa in front of Canada.

The amazing and kind of awful truck/limo we saw coming home.