Day 9

Day 9: Another relaxing day. Today the sun is shining. The weather is looking so much brighter and cheerier. It makes me feel like it is somewhat summer here. Today I felt the humidity that everyone so often talks about on the East Coast. It was the first time in the 9 days that I have been in CT that I have felt this, and I don't like it at all! Everyone is also right in saying that there is a 'dry heat' in AZ. I almost think I prefer the 'dry heat'.

I decided that today we were going to pick raspberries! Mori and Brad have wild raspberries that line one side of their yard. Some of the raspberries were starting to fall, and I knew just the people to eat them, US!

Helping Mom!

How cute is this boy? SUPER cute!

I love this picture!

Dirty boy, he even has dirt under his fingernails...

Our Bowl full of Raspberries... it isn't very much because before I could take this picture we were already eating them...

Carson's First Raspberry, I think he likes it.

Girls NIGHT, and dinner: Mori's friend was in a play and Brad thought it would be fun to eat dinner together before the play. We went to this great Brazilian restaurant. This restaurant they bring slabs of prepared meat and if our card was green, then that meant, ' BRING it ON'. They would cut a slice off and give us a sampling. I think there are 13 different types of meat. I believe I only ate 4... they are so filling. It was fun to watch them bring it over for the rest of the table. We thought of Darrik while we were here. It was a delicious dinner!

Annie Get Your Gun: this was a cute musical/play/thing that I had no idea even existed. The girl that played Annie was AMAZING. She had to speak like a hick for the whole time, and when I heard her not speak like that it was shocking. Mori's friend was super funny.

*yes, I did save the program for weeks afterwards until I was smart enough to photograph it*

The Girls!

Mori, Me, and Meagan

*notice how tan they are? they are the ones that are on the East Coast for the summer and I am in AZ, weird..*

Thank you Brad for babysitting! I must admit I was kind of nervous, it's been DECADES since he has had to babysit, but he did a great job!

Meagan and I

Today was great fun!

August 14, 2009

Day 8

Day 8: Relaxing. Today we finally get to do NOTHING. There are no plans, nothing happening, and it feels great! We had the pack-n-play set up in our bedroom and it was very convenient for when Carson would wake up. This morning was great because when Carson woke up we were able to play. We said good bye to Mori, who had to work, poor thing! And we went on a WALK! I love going on walks. My poor husband always knows that what I most enjoy is getting OUT of the house and into nature. I think that I acquired this trait from my dad. He is always outdoors, doing something. Thanks dad! In fact, growing up I told my mom that I hope that I would marry a man that would do all the indoor chores, so I could be outside! Thankfully, I married someone who appreciates the outdoors as much as I do. I HATED being inside, in fact, one of my responsibilities growing up was mowing the lawn, and I LOVED it!! (family, I know you are snickering... I am sure you think it was not a 'responsibility' because it was a riding lawn mower, and you would be correct. I loved that job!) But I digress, let's move forward to our walk in CT. These series of pictures are from our walk in Mori's neighborhood:

I know what you're thinking... where are those babies socks? My poor AZ baby in this weather. It rained again today, and was kind of cold...

This is Mori and Brad's neighbor's YARD, yes YARD

The view on their street

Isn't this house BEAUTIFUL? This is how the yards and houses look in their neighborhood, I am TOTALLY jealous!

Another view of their neighbors yard (yarson's lard hehe, had to add that one!)

There really are some form of wildlife animals in this picture, you just can't see them, but let's just go with it

Horsies, another neighbor had horses in their back yard, how cool is that?

Christmas Tree oh Christmas Tree... This is this person's form of a fence, isn't it totally awesome. I am sure at Christmas time this would be AWESOME to decorate!

*I am totally aware that I used awesome twice*

Turning back onto Mori and Brad's street. I am still in shock of how gorgeous the trees are. It is SO green.

Can you imagine driving this way home from work every day? It is simply breath taking!

My cute baby! We made it back 'home' safely. Carson loved his walk, and we made it back just in time for the rain to start falling. It was fun to share my love of the outdoors with Carson.

August 13, 2009

Day 7

Day 7: Good bye: Today was the day when Garrett had to leave us to go home and work. It was a sad day for us! We still had a few days in CT without Garrett. He will definitely be missed!! His last day in town we went to Mori's work for lunch. She works for GE and they have AMAZING cafeteria! We all ate lunch together and then got a tour of her office. It was very corporate. Totally different from the place where I work. After we ate lunch we had to drop Garrett off at the airport, sad, sad day!!

When we walked out of the office it was raining.

Avoiding the rain...

At the airport Carson had the WORST blowout... enough said. It was a rough ride home. I was trying to not cry, I know, weirdo, but I already missed my best friend and love.

August 12, 2009

Day 6: Part 3

Day 6: Part 3: The Sacred Grove. What a powerful place to be. It is so quiet here. I wished that I could get lost in these woods, taking time to feel the peace that is here. The strength of the Spirit testified to me that Joseph Smith did see God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ on that early spring morning. I know that what Joseph Smith has said is true! I know that he restored this gospel. When entering the grove, there is NO doubt, it is TRUE!

Oh, how lovely was the morning!

Radiant beamed the sun above.

Bees were humming, sweet birds singing,

Music ringing thru the grove,

When within the shady woodland

Joseph sought the God of love,

When within the shady woodland

Joseph sought the God of love.

Humbly kneeling, sweet appealing—

’Twas the boy’s first uttered prayer—

When the pow’rs of sin assailing

Filled his soul with deep despair;

But undaunted, still he trusted

In his Heav’nly Father’s care;

But undaunted, still he trusted

In his Heav’nly Father’s care.

Suddenly a light descended,

Brighter far than noonday sun,

And a shining, glorious pillar

O’er him fell, around him shone,

While appeared two heav’nly beings,

God the Father and the Son,

While appeared two heav’nly beings,

God the Father and the Son.

“Joseph, this is my Beloved;

Hear him!” Oh, how sweet the word!

Joseph’s humble prayer was answered,

And he listened to the Lord.

Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,

For he saw the living God;

Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,

For he saw the living God.

"On the morning of a beautiful, clear day, early in the spring"1 of 1820, young Joseph went into these woods to pray, to a place where he "had previously designed to go."2 Here, God the Father and His resurrected Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith to commence the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days." taken from:http://www.josephsmith.net.

Next Stop: Peter Whitmer Farm:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in the Peter Whitmer home at Fayette, New York, on April 6, 1830, at the Lord's command. Joseph Smith had come to stay at the Whitmer home in June 1829 to escape persecution in Pennsylvania. Within a month of his arrival, the Prophet completed the Book of Mormon translation, the angel Moroni showed the golden plates to the Three Witnesses, and the Lord revealed procedures for establishing His Church.

On April 6, about 60 friends and family members crowded into the 20-by-30-foot home to witness the organization of what was then called the Church of Christ. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were sustained as the first and second elders in the Church. On that occasion, they offered prayers, blessed and passed the sacrament, and received divine revelation. Following the service, several in attendance were baptized, including the Prophet's parents.

Joseph received many revelations while living at the Whitmer home. The first three conferences of the Church were held here, and missionaries were sent from this place to the western frontier of the United States, baptizing many people in Ohio and some in Missouri.

In 1831, the Whitmers moved to Ohio. The Church purchased 100 acres of the Whitmer farm in 1926. The Whitmer home was rebuilt on its original site and dedicated in 1980 by President Spencer W. Kimball." taken directly from: http://www.josephsmith.net

Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, and David Whitmer

The Three Witnesses to the Gold Plates

Inside of Peter Whitmer's home. This is where the church was first organized.

What an amazing trip to Palmyra, Fayette, and Manchester (near Palmyra). How blessed we were to be able to go to these sacred places.

August 11, 2009

Day 6: Part 2

Day 6: Part 2: The Smith family's homes. This is such a touching experience to be here. The place where Joseph Smith first started his life and ministry. Thank you Mori for driving around aimlessly with Carson sleeping so that we could enjoy this experience! How blessed we were to be there! Our first stop was the Smith Family Log House. I found this quote describing the events that happened here:

"Around 1818 the Joseph Smith Sr. family built and moved into a log house in the woods several miles south of the village of Palmyra, New York. On the 100-acre property that became the family farm, young Joseph and his brothers and sisters learned to work hard, love each other, and do as they were commanded of God. The Smith family read together from the Bible and "always had family prayers"1 in this home.

Fourteen-year-old Joseph was living here at the time of his First Vision in the spring of 1820. Three-and-a-half years later, in the upstairs bedroom where he and his brothers slept, Joseph prayed to know his standing before God. The angel Moroni appeared and taught the young prophet about a restoration of divine truth and authority in which he would participate.2

Most of the family moved into a new frame home on the farm in 1825. Five years later, they all moved away from Manchester. When the Church purchased this property in 1930, the log home was no longer standing. A replica was rebuilt on the original site and dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1998." taken directly from: http://www.josephsmith.net

This a view into what was believed to be the parents bedroom.

This is the "Kitchen".

This is the Boy's Bedroom. There is where it would have been that the Angel Moroni would have come to Joseph Smith.

Our next stop is the Smith Family Frame Home: All of the land surrounding it belonged to them.

In those trees is the Sacred Grove

Do you see what I see?

Is that better? How beautiful is this picture? Angel Moroni on top of the Palmyra Temple!

Our First view of the Frame Home.

"The Joseph Smith Sr. family moved into a new frame home in late 1825. Alvin Smith, Joseph's older brother, started construction on the house on the Smith farm in 1822. After Alvin's death in 1823, the family completed it.

Joseph brought his new wife, Emma, to live here in January 1827. Eight months later, he and Emma drove a carriage to the Hill Cumorah, where Joseph received the golden plates from the angel Moroni. The Prophet often kept the plates hidden inside and around the frame home. Persecution forced him to leave Manchester in late 1827, and Joseph and Emma went to live with her family in Harmony, Pennsylvania.

In this home, Joseph learned that his scribe Martin Harris had lost 116 pages of the Book of Mormon translation. Later that year, a schoolteacher named Oliver Cowdery came to board here with the Smith family. Oliver learned of Joseph's work, and in the spring of 1829 he went to Harmony and became the Prophet's new scribe.

Elder George Albert Smith purchased the frame home and farm in 1907 and later conveyed ownership to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The home was renovated and restored to its original condition in 2000." taken directly from: http://www.josephsmith.net

Smith Family Frame Home

Living room... the rug is original

The Kitchen, MUCH bigger than the last house! There was this AWESOME stone sink. Garrett and I were discussing how we could possibly have one in our house some day... oh the possibilities :)

The Pantry, how cool is that!

One of the bedrooms

The parents bedroom

Another part of the bedroom...

There were so many original things in the house that most of it was roped off. What a great thing to see. To think that the Smith Family lived, ate dinner here, and discussed Joseph's visions. What an amazing family! What a blessing it was for us to be there and to feel the spirit. To know that Joseph Smith did see God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. That this is their church on the earth! It was amazing... up next is the Sacred Garden...

August 11, 2009

Day 6: Part 1

Day 6: Part 1: During the night Carson awoke crying, which breaks my heart, and I knew it was WAY too early to have him wake up, so I pulled him into bed with us. He slept so peacefully! It was such a special moment for me because Carson almost NEVER snuggles with me (or anyone else for that matter). Carson woke up happy at some crazy time in the blessed, and I was struggling to find things for him to do. Garrett, Mori, Meagan, Carson and I all shared a room together. I did not want to wake everyone so we wandered around the hotel for about an hour and a half... it was a LONG time. I finally decided that we needed to get ready for the day, and had to try and quiet my child, which isn't very easy. He was thankfully happy, but loud, which woke everyone up. Sorry guys! After a unrestful night we were all ready to get out of the hotel and off to Palmyra. The first stop was: The Historic Publication Site. This is the shop where the Book of Mormon, after it's translation, went to be printed. It was so much fun to learn about the process of how it came to life!

"The Book of Mormon was first printed and sold in the Grandin Building located in downtown Palmyra, New York. After translating the golden plates, Joseph Smith "agreed with Mr. Egbert B. Grandin to print five thousand copies"1 of the Book of Mormon. Publication of the book was financed by Martin Harris, a family friend who mortgaged part of his farm to guarantee the $3,000 printing cost.

In mid-August 1829, the Prophet Joseph, with Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith Sr., and several others gathered around Grandin's press to print and inspect a proof sheet. Joseph declared the work was "excellent," and printing of the book began.2 The Book of Mormon was first offered for sale in Grandin's bookstore on March 26, 1830, as another witness of the divinity and mission of Jesus Christ. It also provides tangible evidence of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith.

The Church purchased the Grandin Building in 1978 and opened it as a historic site several years later. At the conclusion of extensive restoration in 1998, the building was dedicated as the Book of Mormon Historic Publication Site." taken directly from http://www.josephsmith.net/

This is Grandin's bookstore. In the left corner area, you can see the way books were made back in the day!

Little office

Mr. Grandin

I LOVE this picture. There is a Bible and an ORIGINAL Book of Mormon. This picture dipects the different stories about Jesus Christ.

This is what the symbols looked like before the words were translated into the Book of Mormon

The Pulley System: The pages were pulled between levels because they were too heavy to be carried.

This is where all of the letters are put together. I don't know the technical terms, but they have to take all of the letters to form words, then paragraphs, then pages, etc. It took SO much time to take little letters and create pages.

After the those little letters were made into several pages they moved onto this step: They are put into this 'thing' and then they are ink blotted. (I have no idea the technical terms, so pretend this sounds smart).

These are the sizes of the blotters that contain the ink

Then they are pressed onto paper

This is the original ink stains

Then they are hung up to dry

After the paper is dry it is brought to this room, to be made into books. They put the pages into this vise sort of thing, and then HAND sew the book pages together. Then glue is put on them and they were bound and had a cover placed over them.

Here are some of the tools that they would have used.

After much labor, sweat, and tears:

Here is an ORIGINAL Book of Mormon. The cover has changed, but it is STILL the same

I was overwhelmed with emotion then, and now, as I rethink of that place. I can imagine Joseph Smith walking through there and preparing for people to read the words that were made for me hundreds of years later.

We then went to the Bookstore that is next door. There are tons of LDS books and it was great to walk around there and see words of the Prophets.

Carson playing in the coolest little play place!

August 11, 2009

Day 5

Day 5: Palmyra, New York. This was an anticipated trip. Garrett and I were both completely excited about the opportunity to go and see all of the Church's historical sites. I was not looking forward to the drive. It was almost 5 hours! With Carson in a car seat, I was only assuming the worst. He did really well. He screamed a few times to get out, and when he tried to fall asleep, but other than that he was a trooper! We arrived at the Hill Cumorah! It was such a wonderful sight to see. We believe that the Hill Cumorah is where the angel Moroni directed Joseph Smith to the gold plates. This is taken directly from: http://www.josephsmith.net

"The golden plates containing the Book of Mormon were buried in the Hill Cumorah, about three miles southeast of the Smith family farm. In the early hours of September 22, 1823, the angel Moroni showed Joseph Smith in vision exactly where the ancient record was hidden. Later that day, Joseph went to the place shown him by the angel.

"On the west side of this hill, not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box,"1 wrote Joseph. He was not permitted to remove the plates on his first visit, but was instructed by the angel to return to this place every year "until the time should come for obtaining the plates."2 Exactly four years later, the angel delivered the plates to the Prophet Joseph for the purpose of translation and publication.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acquired the Hill Cumorah in 1928. A granite monument topped by a nine-foot statue of Moroni was erected at the highest point of the hill in 1935. Today, the Church operates a modern visitors' center at the base of the hill. A dramatic pageant featuring events from the Book of Mormon is held here every summer."

From the Top of the Hill Cumorah

Looking at the Angel Moroni

Our Family in front of the Monument on top the Hill Cumorah

Mori and Carson playing

There is a Visitor's Center at the Hill Cumorah and we wanted to watch the Joseph Smith movie. We first got to go see the Christus and listen to the words of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Carson playing with the vent, so CUTE

Carson watching the rain fall...

Mommy and Carson staring at our Savior Jesus Christ

We toured the facility and then went to watch the movie. Carson wasn't sitting very still and so we went outside to enjoy the weather while everyone else was inside. Carson did great and all of the missionaries enjoyed watching how cute Carson was.

Next up: Hotel. We went to the Hyatt in Rochester NY. It was really great to have a place to stay for a while. Garrett and I decided that we wanted to check out the hot tub. Meagan didn't have a swimming suit, but we told her to come in anyways. She was reluctant, but got her legs in. While we were in the hot tub Mori babysat Carson and he went to sleep for the night. After the hot tub, we went to this little place for some ice cream. However all they had in this coffee shop was an icee. After that we were off to the hotel. I was definitely ready to go to sleep. The night wasn't very good for sleeping, but I was ready for the next day!

August 10, 2009

Day 4

Day 4: Sunday. What a relaxing day! We went to sacrament meeting in Mori and Brad's ward. It was so fun to see some of the different styles that people were wearing on the East Coast. ( I know, I'm weird like that... I check out everyone's hair and clothes and see what I could take home with me that would be different) The people in their ward were so nice. Everyone was friendly and kind to us. Their ward is small, and the boundaries are HUGE! That is way it is outside of Mesa, AZ, apparently. When we drove up to the church it was very secluded. It was hard to find, in the middle of the forest kind of a thing. Carson did really well for the most part. He lasted through the sacrament, and then, we were out in the hallways, and we were definitely NOT alone. It seemed that all the babies in the ward were out there! Carson found this room that churches outside AZ and maybe California have for when it snows. It is a glass room for stomping boots off or something... (I have NO idea what it is used for, I can only assume). Carson played in there until church was over.

When we got home it was dinner time, and Mori made her Sunday Chicken and Rice. Garrett LOVES this meal, as I am sure all of the farmer kids do. It was delicious and fun to spend a relaxing night at Mori and Brads. The boys played games, of course, and Caroline, Mori, Meagan, and I visited, of course. It was a great day!

August 9, 2009

Day 3

Day 3: RHODE ISLAND. This will be the 3rd state on the east coast that I will have been in. We went in Devin and Caroline's car, and followed Mori and Brad. We determined that they are definitely New York Drivers! Mori is the craziest, BY FAR! In trying to follow her we would get left behind because she was zig-zagging in and out of traffic. (sorry to say Mori, but it is true:)).

We arrived at our destination, Newport Rhode Island, safely! Carson did great in the car, but was ready to get out for a while! I wasn't quite sure what we were going to be doing, but it turned out to be a fabulous trip! Mansion shopping and the beach, what is better than that? Nothing, except maybe actually shopping to purchase a mansion, but hey, our imaginary money worked out just fine!

We wanted to scare Mori, Brad, and Meagan.

Part of the walkway behind the Mansions. Isn't that GORGEOUS! It is green and the water is a perfect color of blue.

The other side looking into the ocean.

This is the 1st Mansion that we saw, isn't it AMAZING! Can you imagine living here?

Garrett strutting his stuff...

This is MY Mansion, I called it, no take backs!

Caroline and I decided that we needed a WING for the boys and their toys, but the rest of the house is OURS! Isn't it just AMAZING!

Mori and Brad

Another Mansion, isn't that HUGE!

Model walk for the camera! We didn't even plan this picture and it turned out SUPER cute!

This is Caroline's Mansion. It suits her SO well! We had Meagan stand on a wall to take this picture. Apparently, someone actually lives here, and doesn't want people to be in their business, isn't that an interesting concept?

I found this little 'secret garden' and HAD to investigate!

The Girls enjoying the garden! Look mom, no hands, or body for that matter...

Our Family along the back side of the Mansions.

More Mansions, there was a wedding going on when we took this picture, isn't that just a gorgeous place to get married! (besides the Temple of course :)).

The Group (I thought I had a better picture, but apparently the only one I have is of Meagan getting teased)

There are seriously like 50 pictures of Meagan posing, but THIS is the BEST! Raptor!

Our Family, sorry can't get enough of these photos!

Carson playing in the grass, gotta love the drool!

* he would NOT put his knees down*

I Love this happy boy!

Aunt Caroline and Carson

Next Stop: The BEACH! This is my first time touching The Atlantic Ocean, and Carson's first time touching ANY ocean!

Lovin' the sand

Touching the wet sand.

I don't think he knows what to think...

Touching the Water...

* THANK YOU Caroline for being wise enough to catch his first time touching the water!*

He was NOT pleased...

in all fairness to Carson: the water WAS super cold, I know, I know I'm from AZ where the water is HOT, but still... I would NOT have swam in that.

*as we arrived there were about 5 little girls that were enjoying a swim together (mom supervising), but I kept thinking 'you girls are NUTS the water is FREEZING'. To each their own, I guess*

Meagan and I and Devin

Look at those MUSCLES! Watch out sand castles on the beach, here comes Garrett!

Final Destination: DINNER! We were all pretty much STARVING at this point. We had been gone for a few hours, and decided that it was time to eat. Mori and Brad knew the perfect place to go, so off we went. During the drive there Carson was upset, I don't blame him, spending HOURS in a car seat, not fun, and to keep him occupied Caroline snapped a TON of pictures of him. They all turned out SUPER CUTE!!

This is My favorite! Look at this beautiful blue eyes, so innocent.

Smiling, how CUTE!

My sweet baby boy! Look at those TEETH!

We went to this Lobster Place and I wanted to get a picture of EVERYONE wearing their lobster bibs, and was partially successful because of Garrett helping me!

Look at that Lobster! yummy!

* I love Carson's face in this picture... I wonder what he was thinking*

I must say though, lobster is SO hard to eat. You have to crack arms and tails and stuff to get to the meat.... a person DEFINITELY needs a bib! I thought I could I brave it, but No WAY, too messy! I thought Dinner was good, however, everyone who has had lobster before (which was everyone, but me) told me that this place was AWFUL! I had no idea, I was completely happy in my naive state.

Then we were on our way home. Carson was completely restless in his car seat trying to go to sleep. He fell asleep to some monotonous music on a quiz called the MORON test. It was funny to have him do that, but completely worth it in the end. It is about 2.5 to 3 hour drive from Newport RI to Danbury CT. We were all very grateful he wasn't screaming any more!

A BIG thank you goes to Devin and Caroline for sharing with me their pictures!! I would not have had NEAR as great of pictures without them!!

August 8, 2009

Day 2: Part 2

Part 2 of New York: When we got done on the boat we decided that we wanted to see Times Square. I suggested, and I am sure everyone else was not happy, to walk. My thoughts were: it is expensive to get a cab, finding a taxi that is a van for the stroller is nearly impossible, and it would help Carson hopefully fall asleep. We walked a pretty good distance. I kept thinking, I wonder how I will know when we get there, and then, I knew we were there!

The buildings are HUGE, and I felt SO inconspicuous.

Every building is an advertisement

Here we are (thanks Caroline for taking the picture!)

*note Carson is TOTALLY asleep, even in the hustle and bustle, he was EXHAUSTED!*

Time Square

look at all those people! The craziest part was there is this strip of land in the middle with

tables and chairs and people come and sit there and read. Seriously, how could anyone concentrate with all that noise!!

The Famous Yearly Countdown Ball

One side of Time Square

The other side of Time Square I am in there somewhere...

This is a TYPICAL view of the city. Taxis EVERYWHERE. There are signs on some of the street corners that say, "No Honking, $300 fine for Honking". These people are always honking their horns!

After Time Square we wanted to go and see The Empire State Building. All I could think about was Elf the movie. 'It's okay you guys my dad works here. Wow, you're really strong.' Good times!

This building is important, I believe it is the WAMU theater next to the Penn Station. But to be honest I have no idea of it's name. I think it is Madison Square Garden, but I am not sure. It is across from the New York Library, which is an AMAZING building, why I don't have a picture of it I don't know.

We were STARVING and Devin and Caroline knew of this super great pizza place called Patsy's Pizza. It was DELICIOUS! Our one and only New York Pizza!

I shared with Carson and he sure loved it!

Oh Deliciousness!

Here was are FULL and Happy!

This is just a super cool building that we saw. I loved it! The cool thing was that someone was getting their wedding pictures done right in front of it. AWESOME!

Next Stop: The Apple Store. Garrett had heard that this was the coolest Apple Store, and it was. Here is the store. It is a glass box on the top, but the store is underground!!

Here are all the many people inside of the apple store.

These are the stairs and elevator, also glass.

This building is supposed to be really great, however, I have NO idea what it is! Caroline told me and I seem to have forgotten... oops!

We walked through Central Park to go home, and this was the passageway, it is super cool.

Driving around central park are these horses and buggies, and I wanted to snap a picture. After I took this picture Caroline, Devin and Garrett informed me that the couple in the buggy had been furiously making out, and were completely startled by the flash of my camera!

Tavern on the Green. It is BEAUTIFUL. All lit up and shining in the night. Apparently this is the place to go for a romantic evening, also kinda expensive.

Garrett and I resting back at Mori's house. It was an EXHAUSTING day, but a fun one!!

August 7, 2009

Day 2: Part 1

We started out the Day 2 by going to NYC!!! I was super excited. I mean come on, it's NYC! Devin and Caroline showed us the ins and outs of the city. Devin drove us, and it was just crazy when we arrived! Trying to find the parking garage was nuts. I guess, that if a person wants to be there for a long time, we have to go to a parking garage. I had no idea. Also, I didn't know that if a person lived there, that they could rent a spot at a parking garage. Something I had never thought about before... ANYWAYS...

We all went to get in line for a boat ride to the Statue of Liberty. The ride there was great because we were able to see all of the buildings from afar. It kind of puts into perspective how many people work/live in NYC!

Carson on the boat ride, cute thing!

I think THIS one is my favorite!

This one, however is GREAT! Look at that smile ( I used to do the SAME thing)

I LOVE all of these pictures of the buildings...

Empire State Building off to the side

* LOVE the sailboat, how cool is that*

Garrett took all of these pictures, from INSIDE the boat. The inside of the windows are semi visible, but still, he did a GREAT job!!

Ellis Island. The picture isn't the greatest, but it is there! I just found out that my great uncle and aunt came through Ellis Island, and my mom found their signatures, SO cool!!! I believe they came over around 1910ish... mom, feel free to correct me :)

The 1st View that I had of the Statue of Liberty!

*Devin took this picture, and I LOVE it* Looking at everyone taking pictures of the Statue!

There she is!

Zoomed in version

The 1st part of the Horizon

The 2nd part

Brooklyn Bridge

Above the 'dome' is where the Towers used to be...

Our Family on the boat

Playing with Carson

Carson and me, playing around

The boat ride was very interesting, Carson was definitely tired. We walked all around the boat to help him fall asleep. I felt sea sick, so I wasn't the best boat rider ever. It was awesome to see the city from a distance!

August 7, 2009

CT: Day 1

Day 1: The official 1st day of the trip!

We were LAZY! Today we were supposed to go to NYC, but we were all so very tired. Caroline knew of this AWESOME chocolate shop in Kent, CT. So, off we went!

Isn't this the CUTEST shop, EVER?

Here we are inside of the shop

Look at these BEAUTIFUL desserts... YUMMY!

This was AMAZING, it makes me want one RIGHT NOW!!!

It is a dark chocolate of sorts, I don't remember the name, but oh so good!

This is Garrett's chocolate, he really liked it

Here is Carson's 1st sampling of chocolate!

BEAUTIFUL drive. Devin and Caroline I am SURE were super sick of me, saying, "it is so green here. my it is beautiful" about every SECOND!

This is their highway, it looks like a FOREST!

When we were driving up to Mori and Brad's house we saw some deer in a person's backyard... crazy! By the way, the roads that lead up to their house, CRAZY! They wind and wind, I got sick EVERY TIME that we drove to or from their house!

I LOVE this house, I think I WANT it! This is what the majority of homes look like in CT! So picturesque!

This is a sign on one of the streets to Mori and Brad's house: Devin and Garrett LOVE this sign.

Here is the driveway to Mori and Brad's house:

LOOK AT HOW GREEN! SERIOUSLY! An AZ girl in this green is just CRAZY... I am out of my element and LOVING it!

Here is Mori and Brad's house:

This yard is just AWESOME!

After we got home from Kent, Mori got home from work, and she made us her famous 'taco salad'. It is Garrett's Favorite! He loves it! The dinner was fabulous! We ate out on their porch, and it got dark and I saw my very first FIRE FLY!! It was great! There were so many! After sitting on their porch for a while, I got cold!! I put on a jacket and we enjoyed each others company for a while. Later that night Caroline and I stayed up late and talked and talked! It was so much fun. Devin and Garrett played video games together! (of course:)). We had a great first day!

August 6, 2009