Goodbye Indy

 After our trip we had 2 days to finish up packing and load up the Penske.  It was a sad day to say goodbye to Indy and our home there.  I was in denial for so long that we were moving, didn't hit me until we were driving away with the Penske behind us. We had so many wonderful memories and friends there, there were tears in our eyes while driving away.

Scott's parents were nice enough to take the time off and help us move. They drove the Penske truck that towed the beater.

Thank you to all the ladies in the ward who helped watch our kids while we packed, and brought us meals on our last couple days. Our kids still wonder when we're going back...

Pittsburgh, PA & Morgantown, WV

 Our last stop on our church history trip we stayed at my mom's place in Morgantown, WV. But an hour and a half away is Pittsburgh where Scott's brother Ryan is selling for the summer. So we stopped by to see him, go out to dinner, and then he took us to Walnut Street for some yummy gelato!

It was Brock's first taste of chocolate gelato and he was a BIG fan.
Thanks mom, for letting us stay with you a couple nights and
 thanks Ryan, for showing us around Pittsburgh!

Palmyra, New York

After we visited many things in Ohio, we traveled farther east to Palmyra.  We stayed here 3 nights so that we could see it all. Sadly, it rained most of the time so we stopped by the local Goodwill shop to get umbrellas and raincoats for everyone. 

Hill Cumorah

We were sad we weren't there when they were doing the Hill Cumorah Pageant, but this year is their 75th anniversary of doing the pageant and they had a ton of costumes in the visitor's center for us to view. How amazing and intricate are the details on their costumes! So cool to see. The actual hill was higher than I thought it was going to be and I wished I had on my tennis shoes. But it was beautifully landscaped and it was neat to see all the monumental pictures and writings on each side of the monument (below).

 Book of Mormon Print Shop

It was so amazing to see where the first copy of the Book of Mormon was published.  The sister missionaries did guided tours to show us the entire process of printing and binding the first book, as well as tell us amazing stories of the background history of how the funding for this book was even possible back in the day.

Peter Whitmer Farm (Fayette, NY)

About 15 minutes from Palmyra is Fayette, where we visited the Whitmer Farm.  There was the Fayette Ward building on the same grounds as the farmhouse.  If you can read the writings on the front of the buidling: "Fayette Chapel and Visitor's Center, Dedicated April 6, 1980 on the 150th anniversary of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which occured on these grounds. In the farmhouse of Peter Whitmer on April 6, 1830 under the direction of the prophet Joseph Smith.  From here the Restored Gospel has gone forth to the nations of the earth in obedience to the Lord's command...."  It was a peaceful feeling to be on the same grounds where the prophet stood to restore the gospel.

Palmyra Temple

We took turns babysitting our kids and doing initiatory sessions in the temple between Scott and I and his parents.  It was a beautiful temple, and the hand stained glass windows with pictures of the church history were amazing.



Smith Farm

Just down from the temple, is the Smith Farm.  You can actually see the temple on the hill when standing from the main farmhouse at the Smith Farm.



 On the 2nd floor in the small farmhouse (bottom left in picture above) is where Joseph Smith at age 14 had one of the night visions above his bed where we are standing (picture below). 

This is the tree that Emma Smith planted right outside her house by the garden when her son Alvin died, and look how big it is now.

The sister missionaries tell you great insight and factual stories about the history and things that went on at the Smith Farm.  I like the one where the mobs are searching everywhere for the golden plates in the family barn and never found it, when all along it was hidden in the hay above their heads.



Sacred Grove 

My favorite thing on the Smith Farm to see was definately the Sacred Grove. To keep the sacredness of the grove, there's this reverence that is naturally observed.  The spirit is strong there and it's amazing to think that God, the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith here.

Martin Harris Farm

Palmyra had so many things we could see and experience. Glad we took the time to come see it all.

Niagra Falls, Canada

Niagra Falls was amazing. I love seeing waterfalls, they're beautiful and this was so cool to see. 

We all had passports, except Scott's parents, so we had to leave them and travel just across the bridge to the Canada side. If you have passports, it's well worth the 20min. wait through security/customs because it falls from the U.S. side and you can't see the front of it unless you're in Canada. My camera died on me right after I took the video there, so I don't have many pictures from that side besides the one below.

Amish Country: Middlefield, Ohio

Along our journey in Ohio we stopped in Middlefield to experience authentic amish life.  We stopped and visited a couple shops and ate at a little amish kitchen.  If you can see the sign above they have "Whoa" instead of  "Stop" on their stop signs.  It was fun to see them in their horse and buggies around town. Wish we could've spent more time there.

Kirtland, Ohio

We decided to finish our U.S. Church History Tour since we did everything in the western states on our move out to Indiana (see here), so right before our move away from Indiana, we had to tour the church history sites in the eastern states.... starting with Kirtland, Ohio.

We've been to Kirtland before, but never realized it was sitting right on Lake Erie.  We went to this beautiful park that had walked down to the Lake.

Brock's first time in swings, loved it.

We first went to the Historical Kirtland Visitor's Center with the Newel K. Whiteney Store, where Joseph Smith lived upstiars in the rooms, and where one of the four visions of Jesus Christ took place.

We saw the Mill, the Ashery, and the other old homes on the property.

Then we went to tour the Kirtland Temple. Such a difference it was to view it since the tour guide was from the Community of Christ and even though I tried, the spirit was not there with her as she was explaining all the history of the temple.

The John Johnson Farm is so amazing to see and view.  There are so many incredible stories here that you hear of Joseph and Emma's struggle with those who didn't believe.

It was right out the back door of the Johnson Farm where Joseph Smith was dragged out by mobbs and then tarred and feathered.  He took on those steps the very next day to preach a sermon where his attackers were listening and watching.

We also went to the Morely Farm, which only part of the property was owned by the church.  But there was this cabin (in painting above) used to be on the property where Joseph Smith organized the first priesthood quorum.

In the top floor of the visitor's center in Kirtland, they always have some amazing church art on display. This was my new favorite that I saw.

MORE to come: Amish Country, Niagra Falls, Palmyra, Winter Quarters in Omaha and then..... SANTA FE!

Last Weeks in Indy

Cole had his last day of preschool and they did a picnic/carnival for the kids and families.  It was fun to see him interacting with all his school friends and teachers.  They had games, face painting, prizes and more.

 Below is Miss Carrie and Miss Diane.  Cole absolutely ADORED his teachers and talked about them all the time. Even though he was the youngest kid in his class he did well and learned a lot.

Scott went on his last fishing trip with his dental buddies: Chad Susot, Lane and Brad Farley.  He took Cole with him this time and they caught the biggest catfish. They had a great time.

We had a BBQ for our ward to say goodbye this past weekend. It was sad to think it was one of the last times we'd get to visit and see these great people.  We have absolutely loved our ward and friends here in Greenwood, and feel blessed to have been able to know them.

I totally forgot I had my camera until the very end when only a few straglers were left.  We had so many people come to visit, and we felt touched.  Thank you for coming and supporting us these past four years, it really meant a lot and we will miss you tons.

While the adults socialized in the pavillion, the kids were busy making sand mountains with rivers and lakes, looks like they really enjoyed themselves as well.  I had to strip Mr. Cole before getting him into the car.... the sand was even in his eyes.