New York, New York

On the 12th, we left Emma with Roger and Nadine while we headed to New York City! We had saved up enough points for 3 nights at the Marriott Marquis on Times Square. Our main purpose for the visit...the musicals of course! We saw Phantom, Wicked, Lion King and Wicked again...

We took a tour through the city on the double decker buses. Just watch out for the low hanging signs and tree branches! This is looking south at Times Square. This is a view out of our room. We had a gorgeous view of Times Square just eye level with the ball that drops on New Years! We tried to get on TV at the Today Show, unfortunately the only thing that made it on was my hand. Rockefellar Plaza. Home of NBC studios.

We even got to drive by the Manhattan Temple.

Hey dumb dumb, you bring me gum gum?

The American Museum of Natural History

A veiw of the skyscrapers from Central Park. We walked across the park after the museum.

Another must see in NYC...the FAO Swartz toy store! Complete with life-size lego sculptures of Harry Potter and the gang!

And of course, Lady Liberty.

After we saw Wicked we walked down Broadway and went up to the top of the Empire State Building. It was amazing to see the city all lit up.

Thanks Roger and Nadine for coming to Geneva so we could spend Emma's birthday in NYC...without Emma...

Emma Turned Two!!!

This is what happened at Geneva while we were in NYC. Roger and Nadine took Emma out to get pumpkins on her birthday (Oct. 13).

I think they almost got lost in this maze... Grandpa and Emma touching the range maggots. Emma picked out her own pumpkin, which was too heavy and she quickly fell over. See any resemblance?

Emma staring at her new friends outside the window.

Better Late Then Never...

When Richard and I got back on Thursday we had a little birthday party for Emma. Nadine was awesome and made dinner and a cake! Thanks Roger and Nadine for all that you did! We love you!

mmm...cake....

The R & L BBLDT

Roger and Nadine left on Friday and then we picked up Bryan and Heather on Saturday! They were the next guests at the Richard and Leisha Bed, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Tour! (although we didn't actually cook breakfast, lunch or dinner...) We had a great weekend showing them around Palmyra, down to Ithaca, and having them come to church with us.

This is at the Hill Cumorah.

This is at the Sacred Grove, Emma was of course reverent. Emma didn't want to be with us and prefered to hold Heather and Bryan's hands. We had a great weekend with them. They picked the best weekend of the year! We hope you had fun!

Good news!

Emma has an anouncement!

I've been waiting to do a post on this since June. For those who know me I'm the kind of person who counts my eggs before their hatched...twice maybe three times! Today I had my first doctor appointment so now I feel like I can post about our new addition coming soon.

The official due date is March 25, 2010. Which we find special. Our niece Mara, who passed away a year ago from tomorrow (Sept. 22, 2008), was born on March 26. We just wanted to let Bryan, Heather, Max, Natalie and Katrina know that were thinking about them and wish we could be with them today and tomorrow.

Road Trip!!!!

Day 1!!!!!!

Ephrata Washington to Bozeman Montana

This is Emma just on road 5! She sure got comfy in the car pretty quick!

Here is a black and white in our hotel in Bozeman Montana. She just looked so dang cute.

And another cute shot in the hotel.

Day 2!!!!

Bozeman Montana to Riverton Wyoming

(via Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks)

Emma absolutely loved the buffalo, she was so sad every time we saw them and then drove away. She would yell "buffalo!!!" in the back of the car.

One of the many buffalo herds we saw in Yellowstone.

Emma and Daddy looking at the Lower Falls at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Day 3!!!!

Riverton Wyoming to Rapid City South Dakota

(Via Martin's Cove, Independence Rock, Crazy Horse Monument, and Mt. Rushmore)

Our first stop was Martin's Cove and Devil's Gate. There is a beautiful visitor's center there. I highly recommend a visit (just maybe not with a 2 year old...).

Devil's Gate

Emma hiding from the senior missionary tour guide... In front of Independence Rock. It is huge!

At the Crazy Horse Memorial. It will be cool when it is finished...if they ever finish it...

Day 4!!!!

Rapid City South Dakota to Omaha Nebraska

(Via the Badlands)

So to break up the long drive across South Dakota we decided to take a detour through the Badlands and we are so glad we did! It was amazing! Another must see if you find yourself in the middle of the USA...

Prairie dogs!!!!

Here is a great picture of what the Badlands is all about. Beautiful wind blown cliffs and miles and miles of grassland, and the occasional buffalo or prairie dog. Emma going double binkie during the drive.

Day 5!!!!

Omaha Nebraska to Keokuk Iowa

(Via Missouri)

Our first stop was Independence Missouri. We stopped at the visitor's center and had a great time at the kid section. Best visitor's center ever!

We also saw the Community of Christ "Spiral Temple" across the street and the old temple lot across the corner from the visitor's center.

We then headed north to Liberty and saw the Libert Jail. The jail is now housed in a really cool visitor's center. They take you down next to the jail and play some quotes. It was a very spiritual place.

We then headed further north to Far West and the temple site with corner stones still in place.

We then went further north to Adam-Ondi-Ahman. This is by far my must see of the trip. It was absolutely beautiful.

Looking down into the valley.

Leisha might kill me for this picture but I think she looks as beautiful as the valley.

Emma of course was very reverent...