Playgroup at Coonskin Park

We learned about conservation at a nearbye park. Fed the ducks and geese, which was a little intimidating cause these ducks were not shy, picked up trash and played on the playground.

Playgroup at the State capitol

Thanks to Katie's organization we now have a playgroup schedule full of great activities for our little ones. We enjoyed a beautiful day at the capitol building learned a little about what happens there.

Ward Holloween Party

The first picture Shailee drew for me was of "bones and inside parts" I don't know if this fascination comes from her Dad or if she just came that way but she has always admired all things medical. When she was Hyrum's age if she fell and scraped her knee all we had to do to calm her was talk about why the blood was coming out and what it was doing and she felt better. If I needed to wipe her nose or change her diaper all I had to do to persuade her was promise to show her what I cleaned up, gross to most of us, but to Shailee fascinating. She tells me she wants to be a Dr. when she grows up. So I thought it was about time she had her own scrubs. This was my first attempt at sewing costumes and it was stressful because I procrastinated but satisfying too. Anyway they looked cute and we had fun running the fish pond at the ward party.

Historic Buildings of Palmyra

Below is the home of Martin Harris. This is the location of where the Chruch was reorganized on April 6, 1830 when Joseph Smith was just 24 years old in the small town of Fayette, NY. This town is still very small.

Above is the room that is thought to be the place where the last of the translation of the Book of Mormon was completed. Below is the room where the first sacrament was performed with the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood.

This is the main entrance of the print shop where the Book of Mormon was published; 5,000 copies for $3,000. This library is in the original building in its original location.

Amandalynn picked up a replica of the original looking BOM.

Below is one of the two original first editions of the Book of Mormon on display there at the print shop. The building is original an the visiting center is built around the original. The other First edition in the print shop was donated by a local citizen of Palmyra.

Below is the upstairs room of the log home on the Smith farm. The log home is a replica of what was originally there. As a matter of fact, the church was even able to find parts of the foundation. The Church went to great lengths to restore the log home to the point that all the logs were hand cut and every part of the home was built with the tools of the early 1800s, even starting construction in January as did the Smiths.

Several years past in the log home before this frame home was built. It was started by Alvin and comleted after his death. The frame home is about 85% original and most beautiful inside. In the picture below is of the hearth in the home were there was a compartment underneith the pavers where Joseph Smith hid the golden plates. What history!

Finding Acorns

The Hill Cumorah

Looking up into the trees from the base of the hill. Cerca 1915 there were virtually no trees on the hill at all. All of these trees have been planted to restore the look of the hill during the early 1820s.

This is the view of from the top of the hill. The first of the series of pictures is looking north toward the Smith farm and this last is looking south.

Kirtland, OH

This is a little room and it was difficult to get a great picture; however it was here that the Prophet Joseph Smith instructed the early leaders of the Church in the program call "The School of the Prophets." This room is located on the second floor in the rear of the Newel K. Whitney store. In the next room over is where the 89th section of the D&C revelation recieved and then presented here to the leaders. The spiritual feeling here was great.

We have plenty of leaves in WV, but none of them seem to be a big where we live as the ones we found here in Kirtland.

Shailee and Hyrum are sneeking around the tree next to the creek.

Being in Kirtland would not be complete without visiting the Temple. Here we were able to see a movie that spoke of the early saints and then take a wonderful tour in the temple. Many hours of sacrifice were put in to this House of the Lord. It only took three years to build and is thought of to be the most costly temple built yet. The craftiness found within the temple was amazing, making one wonder how the saints were able to put so much time and effort into the project. The foundation, hardwood floors, pews, stairs, handrails, some glass, pully system, doors, bell and bell tower are all still original.

This is the Newel K. Whitney store. The top back window seen there on the side of the building sees into the School of the Prophets window. The top front window is where the 89th section of D&C revelation was recieved and then presented in the back room. NK Whitney was one of much faith, meeting the prophet the very day of his arrival there in the front doors. He not only owned the store, but also owned the Ashery and Saw Mill and lot of land. When the saints started to live the Law of Consecration, he gave the Ashery to the Church the Ashery so that the Church could make money and provide jobs for the people.

Another amazing thing about this historic site is that there were no members of the Church until the late 1970s. The Church did not own any property there until then and now the Church has been able to restore quite a bit of the historic downtown.

I said, "Shailee, what was the best thing you saw today?"

She responded, "It was all great."

"But there wasn't anything that you liked best?"

"Well, I liked the round thing that made clothes."

This was a great first day!!!

picnic at shailee's preschool

This is one sturdy tricycle


Let's save Dad!