Couples Trip to Rochester March 2018

We all talked our husband into taking a trip in the snowy March spring to visit mom and dad on their mission in Rochester. It was such an amazing, spiritual trip. We were able to visit some of the earliest church history sites and many of them we were the only ones there because the weather was cold. We got to have family prayer at the Smith's Frame house on the Smith Farm. We were able to tour the printing building (Granger house) where the Book of Mormon was first printed. We went to the Whitmer Farm where much of the translation took place. We walked the Sacred Grove in the snow and wind. We took a little trip across the boarder (for those of us with passports) to see Niagara Falls. It was a cold, but fun to see that big water fall. We drove out to Pen Yan to attend church with mom and dad at their little branch. As we were driving we passed many of the Mennonites taking their horse and buggy or bicycle to church. It was super cold and they had super red faces from the ice and wind. What a great example of faithful believers. It was very touching to see them practice their faith. We spent time at my parents apartment eating, playing games, laughing and talking. It is pretty amazing to have a family where the home is just as sacred a place as all the other church history sites. It is always such a blessing when we get to spend time together. I sure do love all of my family and my sisters all married such wonderful men.  

 enjoying time in the 12 passenger van

 Sacred Grove

 Smith Farm

 Smith Frame House

Games in the hotel 

 Hill Camorah

 Niagara Falls

 Sacred Grove

 Smith Farm

 Smith Frame House

 Hill Camorah

 Pretty sisters in the van

blurry picture of game night at mom and dad's

Quick San Diego Trip February 2018

I took a quickly little trip down to San Diego to help Nicki with her move to Japan. She had her surgery and wasn't able to lift anything so I was more of just a pack mule. Nona was in love with Selma again and jumping on the tramp. We got everything on Nicki's short list for me and then made time to take Elder Newville to lunch (at Panda Express) and a walk around the beach to see the pupping season. We were talking and wondering out loud how big the pups were when just born to guess the age of the ones we were seeing when one of the moms had a baby. It was pretty much the same size as all the others so it must have happened just a day or two before for most of them.
Nona was a champ on the trip. We had a cancelled flight from our layover, but they luckily had a play area to keep her busy and entertained for a few hours.

Winter on the water

Cannon took my phone out one evening while the sun was going down. Even though we don't get in the water for months during the winter we still love living here on the lake. What a blessing to see all the fun wild life and the beauty of our surroundings. It sure is uplifting to look outside and feel the love our Father in Heaven has for us in the beauty of the earth that was created.