Life Is Beautiful.

boston > schenectady > palmyra > toronto > and back
part 1

Joe knew he would be presenting at a conference in Toronto in August, so a few months ago (even before Blake was born, I think), he invited the rest of us along.

does anyone else think Blake isn't quite sure about the idea of this whole ROAD TRIP thing?

Ian was with Blake on this one...

At about Springfield, MA, Blake started getting hungry, so we found a field where Joe and Ian could play soccer.....allthewhile....

....I fed Blake.

....and Ian had a great time...until he fled the mosquitoes.

We were able to spend the night in the Schenectady area with our friends, Jared and Ashley. Ian had a fun time playing with their little girl, Gwen.

On Saturday morning, we headed for Palmyra, making our first stop at the Hill Cumorah and visitors' center.

I think I'm going to start a collection called "pictures Ian takes of me" because HE IS AWESOME.

Joe always gets a token 'action shot.'

The Smith log home was not stroller-accessible (what were those Smith's thinking??...hee hee. Just kidding. Stop the lightning!)...so Blake got the carry.

Ian was in rapt attention the whole time we were visiting the church sites--he was asked (and answered!) many questions. When the missionary giving us our tour asked if there were any questions, he raised his hand confidently and said, "What kind of wood is this made out of?" I WAS A PROUD MAMA. Also, we learned a new fact: the wood that made the log cabin was from the Sacred Grove. There's a new tidbit for you all.

Ian was excited to head upstairs to where Joseph Smith was visited by the angel Moroni.

Blake was an absolute PLEASURE on our tours!

We especially enjoyed the tour of the frame house. Blake did, too, can you tell?

A nice lady from California took our picture in the frame house. She was awesome.

Yeah, Blake had a rockin' good time.

I'm 96% sure that Joe wasn't supposed to touch this rake.
(And I think the nice lady from California agreed.)

It was a hot day, so Ian and I took a little rest at the cooper's shop (one of the locations where Joseph Smith hid the plates).

We took several paths through the Sacred Grove. Ian was able to tell us a lot about what happened there. It was wonderful.

Joe found some ripe raspberries as we were leaving the Sacred Grove. He and I disagreed on whether or not one should eat them. I'll have you guess who thought what. =)

Like mother, like son--Ian could not get enough of the flowers at the sites.
They really were gorgeous.

On Sunday, we went to the Whitmer Farm. Even though Joe and I had both been to the area previously, we'd never been to the Whitmer Farm before. It was--by far--our favorite part of the Palmyra experience. It had an amazing spirit to be felt.

We wish we'd known we could go to church there! How cool would THAT have been!?

Inside the home where the church was organized...

I love red doors. With all my heart. It makes me love the Whitmer's even more.

Blake slept through the whole tour. He's been such a good traveler.
As has his big brother.

A nice missionary was kind enough to take our picture in front of the Whitmer home.

After an uneventful border crossing, we got to our shwanky hotel in Toronto.

Blake really likes it.

Ian's having a great time, too. They even have 'Word World" in Canada. SCORE!

That's it for now. We're headed to find all of the poutine we can. Maybe lunch AND dinner. =) Joe's hoping to join us for lunch.

Hugs from O'Canada!