Niagara Falls

One of the last days we were at Seneca Lake, our family and Grandma went to Niagara Falls.  We went on the Maid of the Mist boat ride.  We were all so taken back by the power of the falls.  Much different perspective than just looking at them.  Jeff absolutely LOVED the water and getting wet--so much so he wanted to jump in.  The other two thought it was awesome...until the wind picked up and they got wet.  All in all it was totally worth the trip!!

Grandin Press

I didn't know much about the Grandin Press and found going to be inspiring.  The missionary was wonderful at involving the kids and teaching us as well.

Whitmer Farm

Ran into my old college room mate here.  Who would have thought??  The tour the senior missionary took us on was so wonderful.  The kids also loved watching some of the movies they had. :)

Watkins Glen

Loved the hike at Watkins Glen!!

Ithaca

We had a blast visiting John's brother Scott and his family!!  We have missed them terribly.  We enjoyed seeing their apartment.  Ithaca has several waterfalls and we went and saw some with them.  

 Scary part of the hike.  James was running along and got a little too close to the edge and fell down about six feet initially, then another two.  Hard to tell in this picture, but beyond that fallen tree, there is about 150 foot drop to the water seen below.  I can't tell you how scared was and how fast it all happened.  In the brief instant, I thought James was going to fall all the way.  John jumped after him so fast and saved him.  Our sweet boy was a little shaken (more so later on when he thought about it), but minus a scrape across his chest he was fine.  We were happy that he was okay!

The Sacred Grove

The Sacred Grove was very peaceful.  We went once as a family, then John and I were able to come back after attending the temple (thank you Bev!!).

Palmyra Temple

 We are standing by the Sacred Grove taking a picture of the Palmyra Temple.

Hill Cumorah

Seneca Lake

And then we got to see Grandparents!  We were so happy to see John's parents again!  They are doing such a wonderful job as missionaries.  We really got to see them in action and man are they busy.  Such hard workers!!

We loved traversing the camp, seeing all of the cabins, the grove, the waterfront, the paddle boats and kayaks, the guest house, the monkey bridge, riding in the golf carts, eating ice cream (Grandma and Grandpa kept a freezer in a barn special for ice cream treats), roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, playing in the sand barn, free range of acres and acres of land.

Spending time with them was much needed and the kids LOVED it!!  Every time Jeff would hear Grandma's voice, he was start to talk and reach for her.  He just loved soaking in all the time he had with Grandma.  James loved going around on errands with Grandpa in the golf cart and wrestling with him.  And Kaylee loved every moment of her time with her grandparents (it was the hardest on her when we had to leave).

John worked as the Aquatics Director during the weekdays and did such a good job encouraging the girls.  He really knew how to make the experience fun for them!!

Heidi was so sweet to come out and stay with us at the camp while Scott studied for a test.  We loved being able to spend some time with her and the boys especially loved running around together.  We loved spending time with them!!  Uncle Craig and his family came up for a weekend.  We each stayed in a cabin and chatted the night away by the fire once the kids went to sleep.  We loved it!

We missed these guys!!

The Waterfront

The Monkey Bridge (that Grandpa made)

Jeffrey and his cousin Leah (his inspiration to walk)

The Sand Barn

Best Buddies!!  They ran around playing "nature"...never quite understood, but it made for some very happy boys!

New York City

Visiting my brother was awesome!  We have missed him so much!!  We loved being able to catch up and spend some time with him.  This was our first time to the Big Apple and how perfect than to have my brother to show us around.  He knows the city really well and navigated us around on the subway.  We loved hanging out in Central Park with the kids, going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  We actually liked riding on the subway...we loved the fact how walking friendly it made the city.  We ate NY Pizza, stopped at fruit stands, John even got his NY hot dog.  The kids loved taking the ferry to Staten Island and seeing the Statue of Liberty.  A favorite of mine was was seeing where one of the twin towers fell down.  The city has really done a wonderful job of memorializing the site.

 The Subway

James LOVED being with Scott.  Best buddies!!

 Staten Island Ferry

 9/11 Memorial Fountain

 Times Square

Metropolitan Museum of Art

 Central Park