And the race is on!

Trisha is due about 2 weeks before me and doesn't she seem so much bigger? Thank you "tall genes." Sorry Trisha, it's cuz you're short!





Actually, I think Ryan is going to win!

Some random NY pix

So, sorry it's blurry, but this house was ridiculous. There were lawn ornaments EVERYWHERE! No thanks.


After leaving a dump of a hotel and finding a better one, we opened the can of bean dip and chips in bed. I felt like we would've fit in a lot better at the dump hotel.


I tried to be artsy with this photo from inside the Peter Whitmer farmhouse visitor center. Better luck next time.


So as we drove past this scene, at first glance it really looked like the brown cow was standing on top of the other cows. We drove in reverse to get a shot, but ya had to be there is all I have to say.


How long has it been since you've fed the ducks? We had a whole loaf of bread to get rid of and saw this little pond. After we got going our new goal was to hit the seagulls with the bread cuz they kept stealing the bread from the ducks. "mine, mine, mine..."

For my mom...

My mom grew up in upstate New York and spent her summers at Owasco Lake, skiiing, swimming, and of course mostly sunning. She is the ultimate sun worshipper still. So we made the short drive to the lake and were able to find the old cottage she lived in during this time. It's been re-painted, remodeled, etc, but it still seems to bring back the same emotions for her...life as a kid. It was neat to be able to see something that always brings such fond memories to my mom. Wish she could have been there with us this time (though she was there a couple years ago briefly).










The maple tree planted by all the neighbors when my mom's dad, Papa Norm, passed away in 1987. It's the red one.






Shirley and Steve were a hoot. They told us some unknown stories of Papa Norm and his boating shenanigans.

More church sites

Hill Cumorah monument




Palmyra Temple


The Sacred Grove

Palmyra

one room for everything: cooking, eating, visiting, etc

Smith Frame home (built after the log home)

Smith log home

Travis in the doorway. They built the ceiling just taller than the tallest man at the time. That was Joseph Sr, but then Alvin grew taller than him, oops!

Cute little potty for a little one in the those gotta go moments at night!

This was our "wet" day at Niagara Falls. We rode on the Maid of the Mist, awesome boat ride near the bottom of the falls. We also walked on a deck to the side of the falls. Doing these gave us a better idea as to the power of the falls. This is what really made Niagara Falls an awesome experience.


Wet...

Wetter...

Wettest! This was on the "Hurricaine deck," definitely felt real (not like I've ever experienced a hurricaine, but I bet it's pretty darn close).

Travis goofin' around


Video while on the boat

Canada, eh?

So I don't recall ever actually hearing that while we were in Canada. I think it's probably an exaggeration! Niagara Falls were beautiful, and an even better experience when we got down in the river the next day.

Old Buildings

Our walking tour of Buffalo was cool. Lots of old buildings, art-sy things, nice weather. My brother Travis is with us along for the ride, made a good travelling buddy.

Buffalo Wings!

These are the Originals! Wow, they were amazing.






We came across a HUGE cemetery in downtown. One of the US presidents is buried there, but I don't remember which. We were just amazed at the huge monuments to individuals and families.




We found some funny signs while wandering the streets of Buffalo!