Our FIRST family vacation

Justin had two weeks off so we decided to make a little vacation out of it.  I have ALWAYS wanted to go see Niagara Falls so we decided to make a little trip and stop in Palmyra on the way.  Since the kids are still so little we opted out of doing the Pageant and went a week later.  The first night it was a little rainy, but it held off long enough for us to visit the Hill Cumorah and walk around.  Such a BEAUTIFUL place.  The kids enjoyed running around and touring the Visitor Center.

We saved the Smith Farm for the next day.  We went first thing in the morning and the weather was perfect.  The kids thought it was neat to see where Joseph Smith grew up and the room Angel Moroni appeared in.  Taija and Luke were kind of funny about the poison ivy the sister missionary mentioned.  They kept pointing around asking if it was there, or there.  It was such an AMAZING experience as a family, one where the spirit was so STRONG.  I am in awe of the beauty and simplicity of the Sacred Grove and am so grateful I was able to share that experience with my children.

Next up was the Print Shop where the Book of Mormon was first printed.  The preservation of the entire building is quite impressive.  I mean it has the ORIGINAL flooring still there!!  Funny story...so those of us who know and love my little boy KNOW that he is a VERY touchy, huggy, hands-on kind of guy.  There was a sweet sister missionary taking us through the tour and Luke was, well being Luke, and pretty much grabbed her bottom and the poor sister kind of shrieked in alarm.  We then had to have a discussion with Luke that 'we don't TOUCH sister missionaries.'  Oh the joys of raising a little boy!

I am so glad we were able to visit some of the Church's historical sites.  You read about these places and picture them in your mind, but to actually be there in person was such a neat experience.  

Next up was Niagara Falls, but first we had to make a stop at our family's favorite place to eat - McDonalds!  And since this was a photo op we couldn't pass up...

All of my research prior to actually making the trip pointed to the fact that the 'Maid of the Mist' was a MUST do adventure.  Once we got on the boat Taija was terrified of being on the TOP so I stayed down below with her as the other three ventured to the top.  It was pretty intense even on the bottom!  The USA side wasn't too bad, but once we got into the 'horseshoe' falls the wind/water picked up considerably.  Luke of course LOVED it!

We wandered around for a bit more looking at the Falls, but that was pretty much it.  We opted out of the historical museum and aquarium figuring the kids were done walking around and wouldn't really appreciate the historical facts of the Falls.  We ended up doing dinner at a mall nearby and hanging out at the hotel swimming and relaxing.

The last day of our road trip was spent on the road.  Literally!  It took quite a bit longer to get home, but the kids were troopers...I only whined a little bit. :)

All in all a very successful vacation/road trip.  We have been very fortunate in the fact that we have been able to live in different parts of the country and experience all the unique aspects of each place.  The Northeast has so much history and I can't wait to explore/experience some of it.  Niagara Falls - check!  Palmyra - check!