Visit to Upstate New York

(LONG post..)

I got to go visit friends in New York (Rochester area) last week, which was a much needed vacation! A little break from the kids helped me appreciate them more, enjoy them more, and relax. I wasn't worried about them at all since Jesse's mom watched them during the day and nights (Jesse helped out before and after work) - I was more worried Parker would be ultra-needy and drive Mimi & Papa crazy! I am VERY grateful for their help! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Thank you Jesse for letting me go!

Emily and I decided we would surprise-visit our friend, Susan, who lives in New York. We worked it out with her hubby, Andrew, so she knew to expect someone (she thought it was his old mission companion & family). The 3 of us have been friends since way back in elementary school! She was definitely surprised and we had a wonderful time. Thank you for setting up the surprise, Andrew, and thank you both for being wonderful hosts!
We got there in the evening, so the next day we did a little sight-seeing. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a lot of history near Rochester (mostly Palmyra) so it was fun to get to see some of the sites. First, we visited the Hill Cumorah.

Christus in the Hill Cumorah Monument visitor's center

(one of the only ones without stars/planets as the background - instead it is the Sacred Grove)

We climbed the Hill right at sunset

It's a lot bigger hill than I had imagined!

Poor Emily... carrying a 2-month old (cute little Jackson!).

Susan with her 2-year-old, Grayer 

(whenever I missed my boys, Grayer would give me a hug - thanks bud!)

 Here's one of me... can't figure out how to make it turn the right way, sorry.

 

 At the top by the monument. Lots of ladybugs up there...

The Palmyra Temple was really close so we stopped for a few pictures. 

What a beautiful time to visit New York! 

I miss all the fall colors living in St. George... not many trees in the desert, you know.

The next day, we drove a little ways to see Niagara Falls. It was FREEZing there so we didn't stay long. Oh ya.. since we were so close to Canada, and I had my passport... I ditched the other 2 at a gas station so I could run across the border and snag myself some ketchup chips (potato chips with a ketchup flavor - they may sound weird, but they are GOOD), Caramilk (like Caramello... only better and not as messy), Crispy Crunch (similar to a Butterfinger), burnt almond bar (dark chocolate bar with broken almonds - simple but delicious if you like dark), and gummy peaches. Most Canadians think their candy is superior, and I disagree (example - their "version" of M&M's.. gross). These are some of the exceptions.

We only viewed the falls from the American side.

American Falls

Horseshoe Falls and view of Canada

That night, we took Susan, Andrew, & Grayer to the Cheesecake Factory in Rochester. 

YUM.

Friday, we visited Joseph Smith's home and the Sacred Grove. This place was so peaceful, I loved it.

Where Joseph Smith lived when he was 14 years old. (Original foundation, but the building is a replica of what homes looked like then.)

Upstairs where Joseph Smith probably slept and where the Angel Moroni visited him during the night.

 Left: Sacred Grove

Middle (white building): Visitor's Center

Right (brown building): same home as above

View of the Palmyra Temple from the Sacred Grove. This is the only temple with clear windows, so you are able to look out of the Temple into the Sacred Grove.

View is from the Sacred Grove looking out toward Joseph Smith's 2nd home. 

You can kind of see it through the trees (middle-right).

In the Sacred Grove. Seriously SO peaceful.

In high school (9th-12th grades), we sang as a trio. We had one of the Sister Missionaries record us singing in the Sacred Grove. (Keep in mind we didn't practice much..)

"The Olive Tree"

I had SUCH a good time, girls! We will definitely have to keep this a tradition. Where to next...? How about some place warmer... :)