Buffalo, Palmyra, & Niagara Falls

I decided I needed a change of venue, so I called up Travis and set a time to go out to pay him and the family a visit. I had it in my mind to go see the fall colors, but it didn't work for me to go out at that time so I ended up going to the Northeast at probably not the smartest time of year. It actually wasn't that bad, still pretty mild, and I a thin blooded Arizonan was able to bear it. Actually the timing worked out pretty well, a friend of Trav and Steph passed away when I was there so I was able to really help them out and I was grateful for that.

I loved it though, to get away from the rut of daily life, seeing new sights, seeing family, eating Stephanie's cooking, experiencing Buffalo culture and many other things.




I did babysit a lot but who wouldn't want to watch this adorable little one?

He better enjoy this attention while it lasts-wahoo for February!



and he chooses the football over his parents (that's cold Collin)




Good times at the park/school





So precious.


I absolutely love this next picture, so Collin's friend Gavin had this Easter duck thing that would sing and the singing freaks poor little Gavin out, but Collin heard it, picked it up got this huge grin on his face and bear hugged it.

Therefore Collin inherited it. I don't know if Travis and Stephanie are tired of it yet.



So I noticed I took a lot of pictures of Collin eating -_-'

Then there was this day. We planned on going to Palmyra on Saturday, but the temple was closed >.> So on Tuesday Travis 'cough cough' skipped out on his afternoon classes and we were off to Palmyra. This was a special day. First off to be able to spend time with Travis was great, him being only two years older and us being in school at the same time I've always looked up to him and in a sort of way worshipped him I would do anything for him-I don't think that's changed. He was that cooler older brother to me. Then with such a deep passion, I love church history. Love it, I can't explain it, everything about those places makes me so overjoyed so I definitely loved every minute of that trip.

The Sacred Grove :D It's amazing the spirit that's there, it was nice to be able to be there all alone, even though it wasn't like how I'm use to seeing it.



I found some fall colors there






I love this temple for what it signifies. Just thinking of Joseph ever so desperately searching for the truth. Finding it and then being mocked and hated for saying he had done so. Now a temple of the Lord faces that place where he went out and said a humble prayer and received an answer. So grateful for the Restoration, love the gospel and it's history.






I really wanted to do a session-but-I'll be back to visit the new baby and then maybe I can.

Yay for the Hill Cumorah-I need to see that pageant one of these days.

Then to where the Book of Mormon was published, we had our own personal tour and I learned a lot of neat things-it was awesome.

On the last Sunday I was there we took a trek to Niagara-the weather was a little discouraging because it was raining when we left but it stopped and didn't start again on us. I found more fall colors there too-it was great.

Thank you Trav and Steph for your hospitality!

I kept picking the good days for sight seeing, I swear those were the only overcast days while I was there-ha ha-life. It's nice though it's a lot more things are free during the off season and it's not so crowded.
So all in all it was a great, grand, and wonderful trip. Again thank you Travis and Stephanie for letting me stay. Can't wait to see you all again.