Sunday, May 18, 2008

Palmyra, Kirtland, Niagara Falls, and "The North Coast"

This past week we got to take a much needed vacation. We first drove to Cleveland Ohio and stayed with Steve's Uncle Earl and Aunt Sharlene Mortenson. We visited and waded in the waters of "America's North Coast" as Uncle Earl calls it (Lake Erie). We then drove to Palmyra, New York and visited various LDS church history sites, including visiting the Sacred Grove, seeing the Palmyra Temple, climbing the Hill Commorah, and touring the E.B. Grandon bookstore where The Book of Mormon was first printed. We spent a night in Palmyra and "ran into" an old friend from Steve's home ward in Utah. His old friend (John Giles) is living in Hawaii with his wife and 3 kids and was on vacation too. After Palmyra, we drove to Niagara Falls and stayed a night there. The next day we drove home, stopping in Kirtland for half a day to visit sites there too. The following are pictures from our trip:


Uncle Earl and Aunt Sharlene Mortenson's house in Clevelend




America's "North Coast"



The Kirtland Temple



Larry and Annette Giles (from Steve' home ward) are currently site missionaries in Kirtland. Also pictured is John Giles (their son) and 3 of his kids.



Allison found a bag of markers and was "really quiet" for a while in the backseat before we found up what she was up to. She told us she was a pirate.



Allison in the Sacred Grove.



More Sacred Grove.



The Hill Cumorah is steeper than it looks. Jamie enjoyed watching Steve struggle with the double stroller with the kids.



Lindsay and Steve at the top of the Hill Cumorah



Lindsay and Allison did not like Niagara Falls. They thought it was noisy, misty, and cold.



Steve, on the other hand, loved Niagara Falls.
He also loved blogging this post. Jamie is taking a break from blogging and is now eating bon bons and relaxing in a bubble bath.

12 comments:

Shayleen Lunt said...

Hooray for vacations! I love all those stops you made. Aaron and I had almost that exact vacation before we had Olivia. I never knew it would be such a memorable and enjoyable vacation - so much to learn! (and feel!)
No wonder you looked so well rested today ;)

Kori said...

I'm glad that Jamie is eating bon bons and sitting in a bath, she deserves it! John and I hope to one day visit Palmyra and Kirtland. Glad you guys had nice vacation, looks fun.

Leslie said...

Hooray for you!! That sounds like a fabulous vacation!! The "pirate" picture is priceless!

Cassie Rakes said...

Way fun you guys! I'm so impressed your family seems to take the best vacations. And you got a really cute pirate on your hands, with a great sense of humor, she was cracking me up all day today- I even got her to say uh-huh today double plus.

chelle said...

Looks like you guys had an AWESOME trip!! I am so glad you got to take thi smuch needed vacation. Hopefully it will get through some tough school times ahead.
I always love your pics...they are always great!
Nice work on the pirate face Allison AAAARRRRGGGG!

Tricia said...

...Love the pic's and Steve, nice job on the posting. Tell that pirate princess that Aunt Chi-cha is grateful for her business name ideas and is excited to see her soon.

Heather said...

What a great trip. I've never been to Palmyra or Kirtland.
Wow! Allison is quite the artist.:) It takes a very patient and loving parent to be able to stop and take a picture of that.:)

Rachel said...

That picture of Allison on the turtle is soooo cute! She looks like a little doll. And, that pirate makeup job picture will have to be used as blackmail someday...I'm so glad you guys got to go on that trip.

Patty said...

What an awesome vacation! I'm so glad to hear that you guys were able to get away for awhile and enjoy yourselves! The pictures are fantastic!

Natalie said...

That looks like great fun! I wish we could take vacations like that. Also, I'm sure Jamie is in the bubble bath with bon bons.........YEAH RIGHT! Any mother of more than one child knows that is pretty much impossible!

Mama D said...

What a fantastic and much-needed trip! Allison makes a great pirate. Wow, I think I would have yelled first - and maybe gotten a picture, but probably not... I think Hill Cumorah helped strengthen Steve's calf muscles. :) And the best part is the post-vacation bubble bath and bons bons for Jamie! Thanks for posting this, Steve, and giving her that break!

Papa D said...

"the best part is the post-vacation bubble bath and bons bons for Jamie!"

Thanks a lot, Steve! Nothing like expectations of emulation!