Palmyra

This past weekend we went to the Palmyra pageant in upstate New York. (An outdoor pageant that depicts events from the Book of Mormon) I have vivid memories of going when I was little but haven't been back until now. It was just as good as I remember it. It was fabulous! I am so glad we went. We will definitely be making it a yearly tradition!

We went early to get seats and enjoyed a picnic, meeting the cast, and exploring while we waited for it to begin.

Getting some exercise out before the show starts.

Starting a couple of hours before the show begins the cast comes out into the audience to mingle. It was so fun to see everyone in their costumes and find out where they are from. The people in the cast are from all over the country. When my mom was at BYU she went out for one summer and was one of the cast members in the pageant. I'd love to take my family (when the kids get older) and participate. We've known a couple of families who have done that and they said it was an amazing experience.

I think this picture is so funny. Daniel was fascinated by all of the cast members in their costumes but did NOT want to take a picture with them. So I snapped this picture while the guys were still standing behind him.

Nora thought they were great.

He was Mormon.

Yeah... it's about to start!

The processional didn't start until way after Daniel's bed time and I was afraid he would be too sleepy to enjoy it - but it really kept his attention and he loved it! Nora stayed awake for the very beginning. When the processional and music started she giggled and clapped and then she fell asleep for the rest.

It was so good!
Daniel's favorite part was Nephi building the boat and the part when Christ appears to the people in the Americas.


The next day we toured all the historical sites. This is the field behind Joseph Smith's house at the edge of the Sacred Grove.

Joseph Smith's log home. There is such an amazing spirit here.

The home the Smith's built later.

Field behind his house.

In the Sacred Grove: Being there is just amazing.

At the top of Hill Cumorah

At the top of Hill Cumorah

Taking in the view.

The Whitmer Home in Fayette: where the church was organized.

In the visitors center in Fayette there is this amazing sculpture of Peter, James, and John ordaining Joseph. I just love it. I love the way John is patting Joseph on the back as if he's saying - I know it's a lot to have on your shoulders - but you're not alone.

Nora at the Whitmer farm.

Grandma Time

My mom came for a visit recently. It was a fun week. Mom always helps me do so much around my house and Daniel and Nora were in heaven!

Planting some new flowers for me for the front porch.

Grandma would give Nora a back massages- which she LOVED!

Sleepy baby

Beach Time

Fascinated by Grandma's toes

Mom, Nora, and I enjoyed a girls afternoon one Saturday window shopping on Greenwich Ave. and a fun lunch at a great place that serves crepes.

Grandma reading Nora a funny little book we came across called: Urban Babies Wear Black

Girls lunch


Shannon and I were able to get a date night in while Grandma was here to watch kids.

Grandma brought Daniel the coolest armor! He loves it. They played knights every day. He would put all his armor on and they would go look in the back yard for dragons.


We decided maybe Nora was really the one who needed the armor!

10 months

Nora is 10 months old now! She is a professional crawler and pulls herself up on everything. She can let go and stand for a few minutes by herself and she can walk if you hold both of her hands. She loves Daniel and is interested in anything that he is doing. She says "da-da" and "ma-ma." She gets mad and very vocal if he takes a toy away from her or is too rough with her. She loves to see Daniel first thing in the morning. She loves her baby dolls and anything sweet (especially popsicles). She loves the sand and the grass. She loves to cuddle when she's sleepy. She likes to "dance" along to music and she is ticklish around her neck.

Fabulous Fourth

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays! I love everything about it - the summer weather, the food, flags, fireworks... This year we were able to get together with some friends for a barbecue and then we went to Waveny Park in New Canaan to watch fireworks. I wasn't sure how Nora or Daniel were going to react but - Nora actually slept through the fireworks and even though Daniel was extremely tired- he loved it!

I had to make a flag cake. My sisters usually make them so this was my first year making one but I think it turned out great. It tasted yummy!

Daniel ready to walk through the park to see fireworks.

Watching fireworks

Newport, RI

This weekend we went to Newport, Rhode Island. It was a great town and the scenery was gorgeous! We toured two of the mansions which was so interesting. I can't wait to go back and see more.

The Breakers: The Vanderbilt's "summer cottage"

The Breakers

View from The Breakers balcony

The Elms

The Elms

Gardens at The Elms

We walked along The Cliff Walk for a while - which is a path that goes beside the water and in front of a lot of the mansions.

We went to the beach while we were there. Nora tried to eat the sand.

It was pretty foggy but still nice.