FALL IS HERE

temple path

Fall is starting to turn our leaves.  We love the lower temperature and the beauty all around us.  We took the Mills to dinner with some other couples because they are going home. 

Elaine took the pictures so I didn't get one of her

We will miss them so much as they have been so helpful in many ways.  They are from Malad and know so many relatives.  They are centered in the doctrine of our Savior and live it daily.  They are great examples for us to follow.  Of course after we ate we went to Pulcini’s for ice cream.  We hate to see them go.  I will miss her sweet smile.  

 Dave and Elaine are the first ones on the next table

Sunday Sept 2^nd we were in Niagara and came home by way of Lake Ontario.  We love a different drive every week.  

We always see fun cars

and always a barn

We made a wrong turn and ended on this one way bridge

The missionaries went miniature golfing on Wednesday and in our 4, Max got the best score.  Panera after

After that we decided to go for a ride with the Seamons.  They have a very dark with few windows apartment.  Some get ready for Halloween early.

 Sept 4^th was special in that it was Clark, Lauren and Clara’s birthday.  We loved hearing William sing to Gronky.  What a great man Clark is.  He loves his family and is a great father in teaching continually the importance of living the commandments.  He should be living here where he could have a farm but he makes up for it with his bees, chickens and ducks or whatever.  He loves the time he spends with his family and is married to the very best partner to help him accomplish his goals. 
                                          

He has always been a good person and always had good friends.  Everyone loves him, especially William.

One of our favorite pictures at Scott and Beth's reception with Riley.

Lauren Dora is such a cutie and a fun teaser.  We love it when she plays the piano or organ for us.  She is getting so good.  She cracks us up with some of the things she does with her cooking.  The man she marries is going to be so lucky because he will not eat the same meals often.  She is very creative.  She strives to do her best in everything and is a true Belle in reading. We love her.

 Clara Camille loves a challenge.  You give her something to do and she will work hard to do it well.  We loved watching her gymnastics and now hope to watch her play volleyball.  Hopefully Lauren will play too.  She looks for the one who is lonely or sad and tries to include them or make them a little happier.  What a gift that is.  She plays the violin very well and we enjoyed her playing in the Sacred Grove.  We will never forget that.  WE love her too.

Sept 7^th was fun because we got to watch Parker's PGHS football game on our computer.  It felt so good to be a part of that event, especially when they beat an exceptionally good school.

The next day we hurried at 4:00 to the Clifford Springs emergency at the hospital which is under the main hospital in Rochester for a kidney stone after Max Seamons and Dad gave Nancy a blessing.  Dr. Hallstrom was on call and so very good.  He found 1 stone stuck in the opening to the bladder and another 2 inches from the first stone of 5mm.  

 The good thing is when he did the ultrasound he found a cyst the size of an orange on her only ovary.  He gave her good stuff in her IV and sent us home at 9.  She has an apt on the 19^th for further evaluation.  That was the soonest she can get in.  Since that was during the 2 week cleaning of the temple, we decided to continue with our plans to take a trip with the Seamons.

We went to church in Palmyra the next day and then headed for the Adirondack Mts and Ft. Ticonderoga.  What a beautiful drive.

The next day we went to the fort and spent most of the day.  It was amazing.  The museum was so informative.  I had no idea of the battles there and the hardships they faced.

inside

some of the walls

jail

0pening to inner part

                                         

Black Powder Rifles

Nancy loved going down to the powder rifles while we watched from above.

crowded

Iroquois

 powder horns

  These were signs and monuments leaving the fort.

 This shows the ditch the soldiers used for defense

not very deep but probably was at that time.

                                                  

  How would you like to go to this school?

 I didn't get the 2 sides.  It;s huge.

Max insisted we go to Mt. Defiance.  It is straight up a hill that cars cannot go all the way.  What a challenge and a good way to wear off some of the sitting pounds.  There was a view of the entire valley.  Why the French leaders gave the Mt. to the British I will never understand.  They had a grand view and access to the fort.  The Americans took it from the French led by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Men.

 The fort is that line of what looks like a a structure

 We than took a ferry to Vermont which is some of the most beautiful country we have ever seen. 

It rained all day but didn't make any difference, it was so beautiful.  We stopped at a place that had maybe 3 buildings which included a post office.  I needed to check on Clark's package so I went in.  It was worth the time.  It was ancient and smelled so old and comfy.  It was very old and messy and the postman was the same. 
We went to Sharon VT. to see the birth place of the Prophet Joseph Smith 

A site missionary, whom we often see on TV between conference sessions, greeted us and told us the story of getting the monument to Sharon.  He wrote it with photographs and has never been published.  What a direct miracle that story is.  We hope one day it will be in print.

door step of Solomon Mack's home

The rain did not hinder us in that now there is a dirt road that you can drive to the remnants of the home sites of the Solomon and Lucy Mack home and  Daniel Mack home, where the prophet was born. 

There are just stones to mark the places but the surrounding forest was so beautiful. 

There is a road we tried but we turned around when it said, "No unauthorized vehicles beyond this point."  

This is a homemade bridge they traveled over.

 There is no place in Vermont to eat after 3:00.  We tried several little towns that looked so fun but they closed at 3.  We were so hungry that we stopped at this roadside cafe and had pulled pork sandwiches.  Everything was so fun. We were headed for Boston and a good night's sleep.  The motel we had reserved was horrible and dirty.  We did not want to lose our money so we stayed both nights.  The fire alarm was in a drawer and we had to call someone to unplug the toilet that looked like a hamburger was stuck in it.  I will not tell more because we did have a good trip and did not let that bother us.  It was just disgusting. (one of Kolton's words)  It was called the Lakeside and had a lovely dining room overlooking a huge lake. We got up in the morning, not daring to take a shower, and left for the temple. 
We did the 11:00 session which was so wonderful. It is so beautiful and the session was perfect.

 These flowers are so beautiful.

After the session we headed for Concord and the bridge celebrating the "Shot heard round the world" 

 A group of Jews singing

This is a special place and was the beginning of the break with England.  The town was filled with homes from our early Patriots who did so much for our freedom and building such a powerful and free country.  It was also a place for men and women to express their feelings.

Ralph Waldo Emerson's father's home by the bridge.

It was getting late when we left and so we headed to Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox game. 

Thank goodness they won because we had to go back to that, much to be needed, hotel.

Sept. 12^th,The next day we decided we couldn’t leave Boston without seeing the Plimouth (their spelling) Plantation.  It was so worth it.  We spent a long time there. 

 fence

 home

It was a very special place to see how they left their home for freedom of religion and to a country which had such a future for them. 

We then went to the Plymouth Rock. 

For some reason it was just wonderful even though it was so tiny.  It made us so proud to be in this country that we love so much.  Both stops were so worth it.  It was rainy and cold which made us appreciate those wonderful people even more.

We realized we were going to be late for the Hartford Temple so

Dad drove a LITTLE over the speed limit; even though cars were passing us.  When we got closer we called the temple to tell them where we were and that we wanted to do a session.  They said we could make it and to not check in to our hotel but come right to the temple as soon as we could no matter how we were dressed.  It was still raining.  They said they would hold the session as long as possible.  The session was at 7:30 and we got there at 7:35. WHEW!  We were in Levis but they welcomed us with open arms.  It was a beautiful temple and the people were so kind.  There were 5 women and 4 men even with us.  It was so big next to our little one but they said they were sorry it was so little.

We were so tired by the time we got to our hotel, Extended Stay, and so thrilled it was so nice; even had a huge kitchen.  We found a place to eat not so far away and then went back and slept immediately.

The next morning was NYC.  We stopped at a little diner on the way and boy did we get the real Boston, NY accents and mannerisms.  It was great.  They are so different and love it.  We were going to stay with Brad Thatcher's but decided we didn't have the time if we wanted to get to all the places on our agenda.  Dad drove right into the city and The Battery where we did the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.  It never disappoints us.  The Seamons were so amazed with everything, especially Dad's driving.  I must admit he drove like a New Yorker.  He was so engrossed with the memories.  I'm not sure it was Dad's driving or the city that impressed the Seamons the most.  The Lady is always a reminder of the promises made in the Book of Mormon.  It is a country of liberty and blessed as long as we remember the promises given in that true book.  We must remember to keep reading it. 

After walking all the way around the island we took another ferry to Ellis Island.  We could feel the spirits of those people who came for a better way of life and sacrificed so much to get here.  They are some of the many who worked hard to build this country into a place of freedom.  We can never forget that.  They are many of our ancestors.  The names have now been released for genealogy work.  We must help them receive our Father's blessings.  We watched a movie of their story and it was silent when it was over. It is a sacred place.

We then took the ferry back to Manhattan and our hotel which was very pricey. Dad was crazy with his weaving in and out of all the cars and cabs. The Seamons were silent.  Max was so glad he wasn't driving. We had no problem getting there.  Dad even parked on a spot right at the hotel door, on a side street, for the entire night.  I walked in and felt good because the lobby wasn't bad.  I had expected better for the price we paid.  The bell hop took us to the 7th floor and our rooms.  People could not walk side by side down the hall to the rooms; it was too narrow.    

Inside was a memory to never forget.  I loved the old feel of NY.

tiny room

tub

our view with all the traffic and horns

(Broadway & 93rd Street)

Seamon's view with no view, quiet and claustrophobic

After we settled in we walked the streets for a while.  The smells, sounds and everything were a treat.  We even ate dinner at a Subway.  It’s the people we love with their different ways of moving and talking.

 Grocery stores with fruit in the front were fun to see.  No big stores.

I think my stone moved in the night so took 2 of the oxy stuff and slept very well.  No NYC hospital for me.

 We were only too excited to get out of there but decided we couldn’t leave NY without the temple and Brad Thatcher’s office, so off  through traffic again.

I don’t know how Dad does it but he parked right on the street again.  We walked a few blocks to the squeezed in temple.  I forgot to take a picture of Moroni from afar because you can’t see it from close.  It is just on top of the high building.

people walking by the temple

front view

 The bars in front of the temple and other structures are Part remodeling around the area.

We went inside to a most friendly recommend desk President with a beautiful stained glass done by the same man who did all the Palmyra windows.  It was so beautiful.  The Spirit in that temple is so strong and is such a peaceful feeling after leaving the streets of NYC.

Now off to Times Square. 

We were only too excited to get out of there but decided we couldn’t leave NY without the temple and Brad Thatcher’s office, so off  through traffic again.

Dad of course got a place where no car should fit and we walked several blocks to see all the confusion and bustle of the area.  It is infectious.  We loved it.  Brad’s office is right in the middle of the square.  It is even right close to the New Year’s Ball they drop.  We felt very important because we had to check in at a desk and show identification with a picture and then the man hit a button and we could go up the escalator to get to the first set of elevators 

The front door but we had to go in a side door with security.

An elevator man let us in the elevator and then to the 26th floor where everyone had to be off and then showed us to another elevator that went to Brad's office.  It was not very big but nice.  It had a patio or veranda that viewed the many buildings and streets of the city.  Breathtaking.

The building next to the crane is the Chrysler building sung about in the movie "Annie"

You see and hear many things in the city

 you never know who you'll run into

 Disney TV

 Harry

 police

Dad again managed the traffic and we headed out of the city and back to Palmyra by way of Scott and less traffic.  We arrived at 8:00.

We were so tired the next day but had too much to do with unpacking etc. to rest. We did go to the Palmyra Canal Days.  We were so surprised to see so many people there.  They blocked off Main St. and antique cars filled the place.  It was amazing there were blocks of them.                                            

                                

school bus

 All the antique stores were open and booths and food stands filled the place. It was extremely hot so we didn't stay long but had a great time.

I had 4 loads of laundry and when night came I ironed 4 shirts and other things.  The starch was not coming out of the can properly but when I was finished and putting everything away, I noticed I was using Shout instead of starch.  Oh well, his shirts are clean. (So is my neck!)

Tuesday, the 18th, we walked to the grove again.  We love this short walk and usually go around 2 miles.  It is so peaceful and sacred.  We feel such comfort and love in that peaceful place.

another one 

the pose

Wednesday Nancy saw a midwife about her cyst.  All the doctors were too busy.  Not real happy.  They are going to wait and see if it grows.

Weird. She’ll have another ultra sound Nov 5^th to see what’s happening.  Not too happy but it will work out. Did a blood test for cancer.

Nancy emailed Heather Dabling from the ward, who is a favorite doctor of many to see what she would do with her cyst.  She immediately said to call The University of Rochester Medical Center and make an apt. to have it removed. It is in the plans.

many bird nests this way

Friday we decided to go to Skanateles (pronounced Skinny atlas), to just be together since our second week of the break had been here waiting for results on Nancy’s testing.  We stayed at Finger Lakes Lodge and had so much fun together. 

                                 

shaggy bark Maple

The wind was so wild that the waves from the lake crashed up above the walls around the park.  It was beautiful. 

We ate at a little café and went back to our room.  The next morning we just hung out until around 1:00 and had a little lunch with some locals,

  then headed for Syracuse. Costco and the Carrier Dome for a football game.  Boy do they know how to tailgate and have fun at a game.

The Quad

We sat on the 5^th row and took it all in.  They won 51-21. 

                         
  The best thing was that Parker and Kolton had a  game and they also won.  YaHoo! 

After the game we headed back to Palmyra because we had to get up early to go to Niagara Falls for church.  Ever Sunday we spend 8 hours in travel, meetings and visiting after the block. 

It was a bit foggy all the way because it is getting cold

That evening we had a temple devotional to say good by to our Temple Presidency, Matron and assistants, to give them our love.  They all spoke and it was very emotional.  They have been a great team and we love them so much.  President Miner, our first counselor, will be our new president.  We are so pleased with his calling.

Wed. the 26^th The Seamons and their daughter, Tina, and her son, Jaden did all our baptisms that were ready.  The heat in the font was off from the remodeling, so they did all those names in very cold water.  What a great gift that was for our family. (The baptisms not the cold water!)

The 28^th after our 10 hour session we went to Victor to meet Kathleen Holbrook Stewart and take her to dinner at the Olive Garden.  She is here with a tour group and enjoying all the sites and this was the only time we could get together and boy did we visit.  Of course I didn’t take a picture.  Dianne’s Aunt Nancy and her husband David are also on the tour.
We can't believe it's the end of another month.  Life has been so good to us and we love what we are doing.  The Lord has blessed us in so many ways.  We love our children and pray constantly for their families.  We are so blessed they have such wonderful children and their children are the best.  We pray for their being taught the true principles of the restored gospel so that we will be a forever family into the eternities.  No one can ask for more than that.  The temple and its ordinances are the only way this can happen.  We love our God and our Savior for the many blessings we enjoy every day.  We even love each other.  Keep on serving and teaching and growing in the gospel and teaching our grandchildren to pray and follow the Savior.  Again, we love you so much.