New York Vacation

I've decided it's finally time to post about our summer vacation--you know, now that it's been a month and a half since we got back, and the kids are about ready to start school again!

We had known for about a year and a half that Robbie's team would be doing a tournament in Cooperstown, NY this summer.  Cooperstown only takes 12 year old teams, so it was a now-or-never type thing.  We debated whether everyone should go or just Chris and Robbie go, but decided that it was a great opportunity for all of us to see some sights on the other side of the country!  In the end, we left Cody at home with Grandma Matthews because we couldn't justify the expense and headache of bringing him along on a trip he will never remember--but we sure did miss him while we were gone!  We started off the vacation with a red-eye flight to Buffalo, NY.  The red eye flight was actually not too bad, but we were all pretty tired the next day.

We drove straight to Niagra Falls and crossed the border into Canada, where our phones promptly informed us via text that we were now incurring "international rates" at $12/min.  So the phones were turned off and Chris had to just hope and pray that all went well with work.

American Falls--the American part of Niagra Falls

Horseshoe Falls--the Canadian part of the falls

After checking into the hotel, we walked along the river walkway (don't remember the name!) and took pictures of the falls.  Then, after lunch and walking around Niagra Falls (which, FYI, is carnival central with haunted houses, wax museums, bowling and mini golf, etc--all of which we did NOT partake in) we took the Maid of the Mist boat ride to the base of the falls.  The tour provides lovely blue ponchos which turned the 95 degree weather into what felt like 125 degree weather--lovely!!

We didn't get any pictures of Horseshoe Falls because there was so much mist at the base that I was afraid to take out my camera.  But the falls are very impressive and the kids loved the boat ride.
After this we were all hot, sweaty, and done for the day.  We went back to the hotel and the kids and I went down to the hotel pool and waterslide, which were awesome by hotel standards!  We spent a few hours there and went back to the hotel room with the intention to get cleaned up and go to dinner.  But after showers, the kids all fell asleep at 6:30--a first for them!!  Another bonus to the red eye flight!!
The next day we went to the IMAX theater and watched a movie on the history of the falls and the people who have gone over them.  Then we bid goodbye to Canada and went back over the border en route to Palmyra.  After a pit stop for an early dinner in Rochester, we arrived in Palmyra with just enough time to tour the Hill Cumorah and let the kids watch the church movie about the life of Joseph Smith.

Hill Cumorah

Hill Cumorah

Monument at the top of Hill Cumorah

The next day we toured the church history sights of Palmyra.

We started off at the Palmyra temple

and then went to the Sacred Grove and Smith Family Farm.

In the Sacred Grove

The feeling in the Sacred Grove was very reverent and peaceful.  I was surprised by how large it is--I think we spent at least an hour in the Grove, and didn't take all the trails that we could have.  It was cool to see the remnant of the rock wall the Smith family built to mark their property line.  I think the Sacred Grove had a big impact on the kids--they all commented on how peaceful it felt to be there.


After the Sacred Grove, we toured the Smith family farm.  We had a brand new sister missionary from Italy give us a tour, and her English was very heavily accented and very difficult for the kids to understand.  She would ask them questions and they would look to us with a completely blank look on their face because they didn't understand a word she said!  Chris had a great time with that--and after we emphasized to Robbie that in 7 years that will be him somewhere else in the world, trying to explain the gospel in a brand new language.  Holy cow--I can't believe I only have 7 years until he goes on a mission!!!

In front of the replica of Joseph Smith's boyhood home

At the Smith family farm

This house was the original larger house that the Smith family built later on

We finished our time in Palmyra with a tour of the Granton printing press, but I didn't take any pictures there.  By then we were anxious to be on the road because we had a 3 1/2 hour drive to Cooperstown.  We got into Cooperstown that evening and got situated in the house we rented for the week.  The next morning we had to check Robbie in at the baseball park.

We have arrived!

Robbie and his team loading their stuff on the wagon to be driven to their bunk house and checked in for the week.

The team at opening ceremonies.

The first day of the tournament was orientation and opening ceremonies.  The team didn't play any games that day.  After Robbie's team checked in, we got to go down to the bunk house with them and walk around the facilities with them.  We also checked out the vendor booths, and then said goodbye til the opening ceremonies that evening.  This first day in Cooperstown was also Chris's 40th birthday, and we made sure the waiter at the Mexican restaurant knew about his special day (see pic below)!

Doesn't he look excited to be 40!

 Later that night, after opening ceremonies, we celebrated with cake and ice cream.

Here are a few pictures of Rob from the tournament.  I didn't get very many, but enjoy these three.  Robbie's team played great in the tournament, and they ended up winning the whole thing!  They broadcast the championship game live online, and I had to watch it that way because by then the girls and I were home.  

In front of the Green Monster wall

The girls and I got to watch four games, and then we left and went to New York City for a day and a half before we flew home to relieve my parents of Cody.  Speaking of Cody, he had a fabulous time with my parents at their cabin, and loved spending time with his cousins from northern Utah.  He didn't act like he missed us at all!
More details about New York City coming up......