Mannhatten, NY

DAY 3:

Drove half way to the city the night before. So Day 3 we woke up early and drove to Poughkeepsie, our next hotel spot. Then we jumped on the train to Grand Central. It took about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours, but it was a pretty site to see the Hudson River all the way in.

Yep...us crazy tourists! Love those phone snapshots!

Loved this building! Such a historic place. Hoping a flash mob would break out... :o)

Times Square
Wow, I knew it was touristy...but gosh, it was mob-ish out there with so many people!

Great American Chocolate Company... and of course Naked Cowboy! Naked Cowgirl was there too, and Trent should have gotten a picture with her...it was his birthday...

Nope, didn't get in, we were too late...oh well.

Central Park
We really didn't have a whole lot of time, so we only hit the corner of the huge, gigantic park. I would love to rent bikes and ride it next time. Also, it started to rain. Thought it would only rain for a short time...it didn't...it rain the rest of the day!

Had to get a picture...don't laugh!

For lunch, we hit this little hole in the wall...yep it really was a hole... in the wall. A 20x20 place inside a hotel side lobby that a friend recommended to us called the Burger Joint. But the hamburgers were AWESOME! So good!

Rockefeller Plaza

Had to get a picture in front of the Today Show set. And then a picture of the view I see on TV behind the anchors.

To top off our experience in the Big Apple, we had to see a Broadway Show! Wow, it was phenomenal to be there on Broadway and watch Brooke Sheilds and Roger Rees in The Addams Family! Wasn't our first choice of Broadway shows, but it really was awesome! Loved it. It was a lot of fun!

Afterwards, we trudged through the rain some more to Grand Central to ride back that last 2 hours of our journey to the hotel. Because it was raining and got foggy, I didn't get to see Top of the Rock or any other top of the building observation. I really wanted to see the city from up high, but I hope to come back and see many other things. With such a short time in the city, we didn't get to see much, but it was still exciting.

Cooperstown, NY

Day 4:
Last full day...the next day we flew home to reality.

From Poughkeepsie, I wanted to take the scenic way to Cooperstown. We drove through Catskill Park. I wanted to see more countryside. Yes it took us longer, but hey, since I didn't have kids and we came all this way...I was going to enjoy it! We drove past some cute Ski Towns and beautiful rivers!

Driving back down the mountainside, there were some pretty farm lands.

Cooperstown, NY

This is where the Baseball Hall of Fame is. This is also where baseball was originated...loved this town!

DoubleDay Field
kind of neat how they rotate out leagues to play here. There was an open game going on when we got there.

Had to try out the batting cages...a few times.

Me too...I wasn't so good...

The town was so charming on the harbor. Each house was like a model home. The styles and up keep were amazing. Picturesque town.

A great day...but onto the last leg of our trip...driving back to Buffalo, NY to fly out the next morning. We hope to be back and see more.

Beautiful Baptisms

Abby, Melissa, Kenzie and Ken Coe

I had to add this wonderful chapter in our family's life. This is an incredible family who has recently found the joys of the gospel of our Beloved Jesus Christ. Melissa and Abby Coe were baptized in to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints this past Wednesday August 11th!

The story began over 17 years ago, when Melissa was taught by two Elders in South Dakota in her college years. The seeds were planted and over the years these seeds were cultivated by several LDS friends she has acquired. Moving here, she meet more LDS ladies from the Newnan ward and then also we soon became great friends. She knew so much about our church, I decided to send the missionaries over. With the help of Elders and Sister Missionaries, Melissa has truly been inspired by so many wonderful examples and realized that baptism into the church is what she really wanted. She knew the church was true and especially knew this is what she wanted her daughters to grow up with.

I have grown so much with Melissa during this flourishing process. I was made to see through fresh eyes the blessing I have and will always have. I have prayed and cried with these sweet friends of mine. Abby has blown me away with her faith and desires to go to the temple, and Melissa has allowed me to be motivated and refreshed with her new found perspective. I love these girls and their beautiful family. I hope Melissa's husband will be able to hear the words of the gospel and feel the spirit that she brings. The Lord works in mysterious ways, but always for the greater good. He is a generous, loving God, and I am thankful for the knowledge I do have and the guidance His spirit brings.

First Day Of School

First day of school was a lot of fun. Some were excited and some not so much... Waking up early wasn't my favorite part, but seeing the smile on Raegan's face (my still innocent and giddy sweetie) was worth it! Rian started middle school (6th grade), so we have officially moved into complicated territory with multiple school locations, class rotations and teachers. However, Rian is excited to get a locker... Jarom is now a big 5th grader, Tarin in 3rd grade and Raegan is in 2nd grade! Ammon and I are continuing a play group. Wish us luck this year, with all the homework and complicated schedules that come with kids growing up!!

Raegan my fashion-ista

Twin-ners

Goofy kids all ready!

Tarin's Baptism

We were very excited to have family come into town for a very exciting event. Tarin was baptized July 30.

Proud mama and papa

My parents and sister flew in from Arizona and Trent's parents came in from Utah. I wasn't able to get pics of other family, it was a busy day. Tarin was baptized with 3 others from our ward...Joran Foster, Catalina Reisinger, and Ethan Panter.

Gma Palmer Projects

While in town for Tarin's baptism...Gma Palmer did a great project with the kids. They had a great time.

Baptism Day Is Coming

Tarin has turned 8, so the next beautiful step is baptism! July 30th is the big day. I was so excited to pull out the white dress that her big sister, Rian, wore for her big day. I just had to get some pictures. I didn't want to really go anywhere, so I looked around our yard. Then I remembered one tree in our neighbors yard. I see it every day, because I see it from our front door. It's a gorgeous willow tree. I knew I had to have it. I got permission and this is what I had got from it...

...A sweet innocent girl with a heart of gold.

...A Spiritual giant in a little body.

...An Obedient mind that loves her Father in Heaven.

...A bright young woman learning and growing to be the best that she can.

We love you Tarin and we are very proud of you.

Blueberry Pickin'

I had the great opportunity to once again go blueberry picking with Kristi Henderson and several other wonderful people. Kristi has a friend that owns land with these huge blueberry bushes. It was once a place for people to come pick for a fee, but this lady doesn't want to hassle with that...so thanks to Kristi and her friend, we have come back every year to relish in this delicacy.

A beautiful bright morning for picking berries!

Oh the bushes were just bursting! Overflowing with berries! Had to be creative to maximize the experience. Used Trent's belt to loop the colander around me...then be able to dump it into a bigger bowl...then into the 5 gallon bucket.

Kristi Henderson, Joy Coles, Me, Rusti Gray -- showing off our loot! Yep, I filled my whole bucket! As soon as I got home, the kids ate a big portion, but I've loved giving bags and bags of blueberries to friends! It was a great day.

Origami Time At The Library

The Central Library has activities throughout the month...this one I knew would be a hit. Jarom has been very interested in Origami, spends tons of time on UTube and makes all kinds of paper crafts. Of course the rest of the crew was interested right along with him. We had Bryn with us, she fit right in!

They liked this craft the most, origami flower bouquet.

Yep, the looked soooo thrilled! Seriously, they loved their project!