DAXON 1ST BIRTHDAY

We were lucky to be able to spend Daxon's first birthday with him. It was lots of fun. We decorated in a sports theme and Ashley made a really cute cake in the shape of a soccer ball for him. I think he was pleased. Here are some highlights.

Wouldn't you like a present almost as big as you.

Cambri was very helpful to her little brother. She was more then happy to open his presents for him.

He's a natural.

Quite a stash there.

THE SACRED GROVE

We waited until twilight to go to the Sacred Grove which was a very smart decision. It was very peaceful and serene. I sat outside of the grove with Daxon and Cambri while the others went in so everyone could have their own sacred experience. When Jeremy finished he came out and I went in. It is very beautiful and it is hard to explain the feelings of peace that were there. The noises are hard to explain. The first picture is the grove from Josephs home and the rest are from inside the grove.

No this was not inside the grove. This is a picture of a lightning bug. After it got dark they started showing up all over. It looked like twinkling Christmas lights all over the grove. I tried to capture it on film but wasn't able to.

JOSEPH SMITH'S HOMES

After Niagra Falls we went to Palmyra, New York. Joseph's homes and the Sacred Grove are located here.
This is the home that the whole Smith family lived in. I don't remember how many children there were but it was a bunch.

This is the room that Angel Moroni came to visit Joseph. There was a very sweet spirit in the room and it was very humbling knowing we were standing in the same room that an angel stood.

I see a vision.

The Smiths were unable to pay the mortgage on their home so their son was building this home at the time and they all moved into there after it was built.

Just Grandpa taking cute pictures of Cambri in an old wagon.

The spire of the Palmyra temple.

HILL CUMORAH

We went to see Hill Cumorah. They have a beautiful visitors center and they were preparing for the Hill Cumorah Pageant.

Daxon and Ashley sitting next to the Moroni monument at the top of Hill Cumorah.

Cambri always ready to pose for a picture.

Daxon climbing to the top.

Is this a great picture or what. Certainly worth blackmail in those teenage years.

Jeremy and family at the base of Hill Cumorah

Top of Hill Cumorah

The next few images are of different sides of the monument at the top of the hill.

AMISH COUNTRY

We decided to drive through Amish Country. It was very interesting to see the differences in the way of life. We went to one of their restaurants and ate dinner. The walls were completely covered in quilts It was beautiful. They had hard boiled eggs that had been soaked in beet juice which made them pink. I didn't think about getting a picture but Cambri thought they were pretty cool. Here's an old steam engine tractor they use for farming.

I really wanted to get a good picture of an Amish buggy but I was sitting in the back of the van. Ashley was a little shy about hanging out the window to take a picture so Tyler opened up the whole side of the van and leaned out while Kay was holding onto his pants so he could get a good picture. Cambri was not happy about this activity at all.

Interesting contrast isn't it. I bet they don't care about gas prices.

NIAGRA FALLS

We went to Niagra Falls with Jeremy's family the end of June. We had a great time. I went through Priceline.com and got a fabulous hotel for a great price. That is horseshoe falls that you can see behind the family. This was taken in our hotel room in front of a huge plate glass window. The following four pictures are from our hotel room.

This was on the boat Maid of the Mist. It is a big ferry boat that drives pretty close to the falls. You feel like you are in a hard rainstorm. The kids loved it especially Daxon.