Palmyra, NY

We are in Pennsylvania right now with my Aunt and Uncle but I thought I would try to catch up a bit before we leave for Europe... TODAY!!! 

After we left Buffalo we went to Palmyra, New York. I know most of you are thinking, where is that and why would you go there. This place is very historic, as it is where the fullness of the Gospel was restored as Christ had taught it, back on the earth. For us this place is sacred and has great meaning. It is where Joseph Smith received a record of an ancient people in the Americas who testified of Christ, it is known today as the Book of Mormon, another testament of Christ.

So what did we do here? Well we went to a pageant that they hold every year in July. It is a bit cheesy for sure but it is a play about some of the stories of the people, found in the Book of Mormon. And it is a huge production! They have a giant cast- all volunteers, their stage was incredible so much going on it and lots of special effects. It is also completely free, so if you don't like it no guilt here. The main purpose of the play is to share about the book of Mormon, which for some reason makes some people really mad. There were lots of protesters there who kept shouting that we didn't believe in Christ (we do, He is kind of the point of everything we do) but to each his own. 

The play starts at 9pm but we got there early to reserve seats, but there are plenty to be had with great views and you can even bring your own chairs to set up if you prefer.

I love Palmyra because of the history here but I was also a health counselor here for a camp and have so many great memories of this place that it was fun to share them with Matt.

On top of the Hill Cumorah where the play was preformed

At the Peter Whitmer farm, obviously we are not standing in front of a farm but a really pretty church building there.

Joseph Smith home in Palmyra

This is where I sang a solo during my time as a camp counselor, So nerve wracking but a great experience too.

In the Sacred Grove, so gorgeous every where you look

We also ran into a friend from my French class back at BYU while we were walking around, wish we had caught a picture together, small world!

The Palmyra temple. I once had the privilege of locking the temple up one night with some friends

This is the printing press shop which printed the first copies of the book of Mormon. I think it took them over a year to print all 5,000 copies.

We also were able to meet up with our friend Jordan!!!

So fun seeing and catching up with him. So many great times were had at BYU/Foxwood with this guy.

This is on top of the Hill Cumorah looking down at the stage and all the seating for the play

Buffalo, NY

We finally made our way to Buffalo, NY to visit my sister Wendi and my brother-in-law Joey. It was the first time that I had been to their house there. It is a beautiful farm house with a nice big yard and lots of gorgeous flowers that they have planted. It has such a  cozy feel to it and it was really rad getting to spend time with them in a place that they love so much. They showed us around the little towns in the area and we dabbled a bit in Buffalo too. We of course, also ate like Kings of New York while we were there. The Szabos know all the hot spots!

We were there just in time for their big fourth of July party too. Their place is perfect for this party not just because they have a fantastic house and the yard for it they also have the perfect view for a patriotic show of fireworks!!! Their house is just down the street from the park where they launch the fireworks from, so we had a great view without having to leave their front lawn.

Joey and I are the only ones in the family that like roller coasters so we were pretty excited that Matt was on board for the rides too. Joey took us to his childhood favorite Darien Lake park. We rode all of the crazy roller coasters there and a few waterpark rides too. Thankfully we chose not to eat lunch that day, which was smart because I don't think we would have kept it on a few of those rides we went on. It was a really fun day, but I think Matt feels like "I'm too old for this stuff."

Donohues and Szabos

At the home of the Original Buffalo Wings. Where history was made and it was delicious

Not sure who loved the cuddles more Kip or Matt.

We bought fish for their pond, Eno wanted in on the pet picture too.

Speckles and Mr.Bojanlges

Indulging in lots of Buffalo Wings

We had to test taste the ice cream in the area too. (banana bread ice cream, yumm!)

After we rode all the rides at Darien Lake.

Their fun loving pup Eno. He is such a good, loveable dog, and even more fun as a running buddy. I need one of my own now!

The kitten with mittens, Kip

Wendi and I on the fourth of July

Their cute farm house

Must be a bills fan up here. Playing corn hole

The pond!

Flowers from their garden

Watching fireworks on the fourth

Did I tell you I love their house!

We also went to a drive-in movie there. I loved it and want to open one of our own someday!

Niagara Falls

While we were staying in NY we made a trip up to Niagara falls. We went over to the Canadian side to get a good view of the falls and we knew a spot for free parking. Insider tip it is in a little park called Dufferin Islands nature park. It is a little bit of a walk from the falls but not bad and we had our bikes so no problemo for us. We crossed over the border a couple times on our bikes too so we could go on the maid of the Mist from the US side (it's cheaper too than the Canadian boat)

 The Canadian side gives you a great perspective of the falls, you can see them stretched across from that angle. The US side is also great because it has a nice state park along the falls. Your view of the falls from the US is standing next to it rather than being able to see the whole stretch of the falls. (hopefully that makes sense) The Canadian side is a strange little tourist trap town. If you need a few haunted houses to go to for your Halloween celebration this is the place to be. Lots of random but fun things there too. We had more poutine here too and this place specialized in it, so it was delicious! We had fajita style poutine (french fires, gravy, and cheese curds, what's not to love right?)  

We did the maid of the mist where the boat goes up close to the base of the falls. They give you ponchos which was great because even with them we still got wet! It is a must, definitely do the Maid of mist or the cave tours too are also cool (learn more about the history of the place on the cave tour- it goes behind part of the falls)

On the Maid of the Mist

Canadian side

American side

Canadian

Just an upside down house ya know the usual

After our misty tour, we got pretty wet

looking at the maid of the mist from the Canadian side

Just a little wet

Smoke's Poutinerie 

These falls are incredible, I never tired looking at them. They are so powerful!