Easter Surprise

We wanted to surprise the kids for Easter and take them on a trip to Palmyra, NY. for the long weekend. We figured we were in a hotel over Christmas, why not over Easter? Victoria is studying church history in Primary, we thought since Palmyra is only 7 hours away it's the perfect destination.

We arrived in Palmyra on Friday afternoon and went straight to the publishing site for the Book Of Mormon. We had an awesome tour there and enjoyed learning all the work that went into printing the Book of Mormon. The kids played at an old aqueduct afterwards.

 Learning how the printing process works.

The aqueduct.

The next day we went to the Sacred Grove, first thing in the morning, just as Joseph Smith had done on a spring day. Though it was definitely earlier in the spring season for us than when he went, the sun was shining and the birds were singing. We even heard a woodpecker. We could feel the Spirit there just as if we were in a temple. Afterwards we saw the Smith farm and home.

No leaves yet, but gorgeous!

 Coming out of the woods and going into the farm.

We hiked up the Hill Cumorah next, Austin was tired and hungry at this point so I carried him up and he perked up for the run down, but more tantrums ensued afterwards. The rest of us enjoyed a picnic lunch and the visitor's center.

Monument where the gold plates were buried.

 From down at the bottom.

Just in time for Erik's nap we drove out to the Whitmore Farm where the church was organized exactly a week after the day we were there, in 1830.

 (Erik was sleeping...)

We promised the kids we'd take them to a new playground everyone told us about, so we did.

We had our "Easter dinner" that night. I had a ham in the crock pot, which was way overcooked since it was a very small one, but after I cut off all the burnt outside, the inside was still super tender and juicy, much to our surprise. Potato pearls, peas, and rolls I brought from home went with our ham with jelly beans and special cookies the kids picked out for dessert. Our room not only had a microwave and fridge, but a nice sink, counter top, and cupboard as well. It was made for Mormon families traveling! Ensign magazines and pictures of the historic sights of Palmyra were some signs that Mormons own the place.

Our room.

During sacrament meeting the next day, Austin wet his pants and Karissa wasn't the happiest, but the meeting was nice. (Austin still has to be reminded to use the bathroom every hour, which made it tricky driving out there, but he did better driving than during our sight-seeing!)

To finish off the trip we stopped by Niagara Falls. We had brought our passports and put them to use by crossing over to the Canadian side to get a better view. And it is better!

Canadian side

American side

We went through Canada driving home, as well, since from Niagara Falls it is faster that way.

Victoria did an Easter egg hunt for the kids today, including Logan, the boy I watch. I liked doing a hunt after Easter, it made the holiday more meaningful for the kids.