New York: Day 2

Thursday night the kids slept like logs, and Corey and I hardly slept at all. That bed was just a foam mattress on a wooden board. It was the hardest thing I have ever laid on. So Corey and I tossed and turned all night long. I finally got up at day break to go for a quick 4 mile run up by lake Superior. It was so nice, I loved it. By the time I got back everyone was up and about and I got my stuff out to make breakfast. I even bought a cast iron pan to cook pancakes and bacon on. I got everything ready and went to flip that first pancake and it wouldn't come off the pan. It was stuck and mutilated. It was pre treated it said and ready to cook on, but I think they lied. I tried cooking some bacon hoping the grease would help, but nope it just got gloopier. So I sighed and filled the pan with water and soap.
So needless to say the day was not off to the best start, plus it was thundering and raining as well. Hence my look of defeat already.

But thank goodness for McDonalds down the road aways. It was on our way to Niagara Falls anyways so we made a little pit stop. The kids were excited to go to McDonalds for breakfast anyways so it all worked out. Plus I had a sausage McGriddle which I haven't had in a long time and oh it was yummy. Plus it had WiFi which Corey needed to turn in a homework assignment. Don't the kids look just as happy as can be?

It was a two hour drive from our campsite to Niagara. It really didn't take that long and the time went much faster maybe because I drove most of the way. The sun made an appearance as well and it turned into a beautiful day. I took way too many pictures to post them all, but I tried to get my favorites on.

Corey and the kids at the overlook. Lexie was scared to death.

Mom and the kids, this time Hailey was not helping.

Oh and the happy in love couple overlooking the falls.

It really was breath taking.

I love this picture. See how Corey is explaining something to Logan? Well Logan asked a pretty scientific question to which I knew Corey did not have the answer. But he tried to sound convincing as a professer explaining it. I laugh everytime and he gets annoyed everytime.

The walk way over to Goat Island where our water tour was at.

Sitting and relaxing by the water. Of course Gabe had to make a "what did I do" face.

Corey hates it when I take lots of pictures of him, this is my strained face while Corey is trying to not look to annoyed with me.

So the tour gave you these sexy sandals to wear so you don't get your shoes wet and you don't slip all over the place. You got to keep them afterwards, I threw mine away but the kids actually still wear them.

Oh yeah, and the poncho. You can't go wrong with these.

Cave of the Winds tour, although they had to blast the cave shut due to cave ins. Not so much a cave tour anymore.

WOW

Just getting sprinkled at this point. And the amazing part is they tear down the walkway every year and rebuild due to the ice that accumulates during the winter. What a job huh?

Yep, it was really wet at the end where you go right next to the falls coming down. The poncho did no good. But the kids had a blast.

This is where the falls meet the walk way. Crazy people, I just edged along the back where all the people are standing with Hailey. If I let her down the force of the water would have knocked her over.

Cool rocks at the bottom of the falls.

Hailey still got wet, and she really liked it.

Lexie did get wet, and she loved it too.

This says it all

After our tour we headed over to some gift shops across the way from the park. The American side was a big let down compared to the Canadian side. We didn't have our papers so couldn't cross, but they had all sorts of cool stuff over there. I settled for a quick snap shot of the Statue of Liberty. Right in her armpit.

We still had some time before dinner, so we went to the Niagara Falls Power Plant which has some cool displays that you can push all sorts of button and learn about energy. It was free and the kids had fun looking at everything. This is a picture from the walkway over the road to the building on the other side.

Lexie trying to power up some appliances, but her legs were too short to reach the petals.

That didn't stop me, I powered up a refrigerator.

Hailey thought the listening device was a phone, so she stood there the whole time picking up and saying hello. It was too cute.

After the power plant we headed over to Texas Roadhouse to have dinner. The kids love to throw their peanuts on the ground. Corey and I love the rolls there. Plus we did have a gift certificate which helped us decide. Then on the way home we had passed out girls. They were so exhausted.

When we got back to our campground, we had promised the kids we would do s'mores. Which I love when camping. I can only eat about one before I feel sick, but I love just roasting and eating the marshmellows. So we took to it. The kids ate so many I thought we would have sick kids on hand. But everyone turned out fine.

Corey and I put the kids to bed around 10 and then we sat by the fire just talking and relaxing. I was fine till I realized that I got like 100 mosquito bites on my legs that night. It was so quiet and we got to cuddle a little bit as well.

Day 3 to follow.

New York: Day 1

Corey and I have been in sight seeing land ever since we moved here last September. There are so many things to see and do it gets overwhelming sometimes. But when we were deciding where to go this year for a family vacation Corey and I jumped on the chance to see Palmyra and also Niagara. We were not dissappointed.


It took us about 6 hours to get to our campground. We looked at hotels, but they were really pricey during the Pageant so we chose the cheaper route. The cabin was tiny and there was only room to sleep, but that is ok considering we were out and about the whole time. We got there around 4:00 and checked into our cabin. Still too early to eat dinner and get ready for the Pageant, so we took the kids for a quick dip in the swimming pool at the camp grounds.

Hailey on the front porch of our little cabin.

Gabe gearing up for a quick swim.

Hailey wasn't supposed to get in, but we just stripped her down and let her sit on the steps.

The Pageant was about 30 minutes away from our campsite, so we got there early enough to get decent seats. It was so surreal to be there. This is the stage from the other side of the street. The worst part was going through the gautlet of protestors to get onto the church's grounds. They were horrible, and as if them screaming at us would make us decide to turn around and go the other way. But we got our seats and then talked with the actors who walked around before the show chatting with everyone. I even met a second cousin while sitting there who was in the Pageant.

View of the stage from the field where we parked.

Family picture

Some of the actors walking around.

Corey took this at one point, so cute.

We were getting excited for the show as darkness started, and of course we couldn't watch without getting some popcorn. Who knew such excitement could stem from popcorn. And this was Hailey's first popcorn experience and you can tell from her picture that she loved it. Whole handfuls were placed in her mouth at a time. It was a miracle she didn't choke.

Gabe chowing on some popcorn.

Shovel that stuff in.

I had a hard time getting really good pictures of the performance. The flash wasn't bright enough to light up the stage so it looked really dark. I did get the shot from Lehi's dream of the tree. The Pageant really was amazing and if you haven't made a trip there yet, you really should go and see it. They do such a great job. It didn't end till 11pm and the kids were shot. Hailey finally fell asleep on Corey and the other kids followed suit on the ride back. Day two to follow.

Trouble

uh oh, I can't find Hailey. Where should I look....where else but in the kitchen. That girl has found what fun this area of the house can be.
With the other kids I had locks on the cabinets because I hated cleaning up the messes all day long. But can't have locks here, and honestly I like that she keeps herself busy. What better way then with my pots and pans and a little hide and seek. How could I deny this face anything?

4th Of July Weekend

Wow what a crazy week this has been. Hence my excuse for not blogging in a little while. Corey has started another class for school and so with work I don't see him that often. But over the 4th we had a lot of fun. We met a great new couple in our Ward (the Ryder's) and we hung out with them all weekend. It has been so hot here lately and we have all been melting into the sidewalks here. But there is always time for a little cuteness regardless of how hot it gets.
She loves shoes. Any shoes will do and she will just walk around the house in them stomping to make noise. I think she has gotten my obsession with them. Hope her future husband builds her a huge closet to hold all of them.

On Saturday before the 4th we headed down to Gettysburg. This is the Anniversary of the battle there so they had a bunch of re enactments going on. It was busy, but wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. The Ryder's came along and we walked around and looked at some stuff. It was so hot and we all got so sweaty. Hailey's little face was bright red. But we all survived. On the way down Gabe pulled out his front tooth that has been loose for sometime now. I love that big gap in front when they lose it. There were a lot of women dressed up and walking around. I have no idea how they all didn't die from heat stroke. Looks at all that material. And the gloves...yuck. This is where Hailey wanted to be. Playing in the dirt. It as been so dry that it is that really light dirty stuff. She looked homeless by the time we got home. But at least it kept her happy. I really need one of these at home for time outs. I think it would work really well.

Well maybe not for Lexie so much. She was terrified the whole time that the guy was going to drop her.

We also enjoyed lots of food and BBQ, which was one of the best points. Then on Tuesday night a bunch of women from church wanted to hit Eclipse. Since I hadn't seen it yet, we went. I wasn't going to go, but Christy informed me that I was. I was glad because we had such a good time.

I love this picture because she thought I was taking a group one. Little did she know I was just zoomed in on her. Hope you don't kill me Christy, but I think you look so cute.

Now we have Palmyra to look forward to next week. I am hoping I get lots of pictures.