Sightseeing

We decided that we needed to see as much as we could before Matt and Claire started school. So on one of our adventures we went to Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty.

It was amazing to see the Statue of Liberty with my own eyes. Claire commented on how beautiful she is, "That green Lady". It was fun to talk about freedom with the kids and let them in on how lucky they are to live in America.

We took a breather and ate lunch in the park. It was a warm day, but the kids enjoyed playing with these chimes that were built into the ground. Poor Jack had to jump really hard to make it work, but he did not mind.

We all got into the fun. The amazing thing was that no matter the combination that you stepped on, the chimes made beauiful music. Sitting on a bench in the shade, enjoying the music and having the Statue of Liberty in the background, unbelievable.

We took a stroll to the finicial disrtict and caught sight of the NY Stock Exchange. The building was under top security, but what caught my eye was our flag that was proudly displayed.

We took a tour of Riverside Church, where Columbia was first established. The woood work and craftmanship of the church was amazing. When we went in they were holding Mass and the sound of the organ fill the building.

The cenetery surrounding the church and many historical markers. One of them being Alexander Hamilton. What to treat to be so close to history. On 9/11 a huge tree was ripped from it roots in the cemetary and fell to the ground. The tree fell in such a way that none of the historic grave stones were harmed. That was such a testimony to me of the Lord's had in the simple things.

After seeing more sights Matt (with the help of his handy dandy book) found us a fun, kid friendly restraunt. Kitchette. Great home cooked comfort food that hit the spot after so much exploring. To top it off everyone was able to pick a treat. Claire chose a dog shaped cookie.

Goofy Lance, a bananna cookie.

And Jack a red velvet cupcake.

Matt and I shared some chocolate goodness thing. Goffy!

Natural History

One of the first places that we HAD to see was the Natural History Museum. We all thought that it would look like the movie (Night at the Museum). Despite that is was nothing like it, it was amazing.

I have never seen more Dinosaur skeletons in my life. The boys loved looking at all the different Dinosaurs and getting as close to them as they could. Lance was trying to help Jack get a better look.

They did have many hands-on displays. We were all able to feel a real Dino egg and a Dino skull. There was also a fun ramp that Jack loved to run up and down, yes he is 2.

With all of the skeletons around us there was also a rotunda that was peaceful that overlooked Central Park and the skyline. Claire and I had fun people watching those that were on the street below.


Of course we had to find Rexy, he may not be in the entrance of the museum but he was a big hit as the kids called to him from across the room.

At the end of the day we grabbed hot dogs from a cart and played in a sprinkler in Central Park. I can still not believe that we live here...amazing.

Really here?!

Driving across the George Washington bridge was surreal. To the right of the bridge is the city skyline and it looked like a movie back drop that I had seen a million times. But this time we were calling it home.

We first had to drive to Columbia to sign our lease. While Matt and Claire signed papers I took two very wiggly boys to a park across the street. The humidity was high and so was my anxiety about really being here.

When we walked in to our apartment it felt like this was just another hotel that we were going to be guests at. We were lent furniture until ours came the following Sunday. Some that that never changes is the call for cereal in the morning.

The heat and humidity was getting to all of us. Thanks to our friend we were introduced to our neighborhood park, complete with sprinklers.

I think that Lance and Claire were just so excited to get out and run.

Once Jack woke up, he joined in on the fun.

Kirtland

After another whole day of driving we took a pit stop in Kirtland, Ohio. The Sister Missionaries there were wonderful and gave us a tour that matched the attention span of 3 little kids that have been in a car for almost a week. We started in the Newel K. Whitney store. In the entrance of this store is where Joseph Smith approached Newel and told him that he knew that he had prayed for him to be there, so what did he want Joseph to do?

On the second floor of the store was where the School of the Prophets was held. It is also where many of the revelations given in the Doctrine and Covenants were received. Above is the original table that was in the room where Joseph would record revelations. The Sisters shared the story of the Brethren being told about the Word of Wisdom. After Joseph share with them about the need to end tobacco use, they each threw their pipe into the fireplace.

We also went to the sawmill where the logs were cut to build the Kirtland Temple. The boys were captured by the wheel under the mill that ran the saw.

Next to the mill was a beautiful patch of flowers that Claire was so excited to explore.

Our little family walking through history.

We were able to take a tour of the Kirtland Temple. Without missionaries, the tour was very factual and not quite as Spiritual as others. However within the Kirtland Temple I felt more personal pondering and testimony building. I recreated in my mind the Spiritual experiences that were witnessed there, the truths that were restored and the blessings that were received.

Foundations were laied in Kirtland that helped the Saints to push forward during hard times. Truths were reveled that helped to build the kingdom and keys were given to further progression. All of this, in a humble city in Ohio.

Nauvoo

As we drove from our hotel to Nauvoo we followed the Mississippi River . The river was beautiful with the over hanging trees and the Lilly pads that were scattered along the edge of the water. Excitement grew as we neared the city. With each turn we would get small glimpses of the Nauvoo Temple. As we turned the final corner I remember feeling of coming home to a place that I had never been.

Jack found each door an exciting adventure. He tried to explore the outhouse behind Joseph and Emma Smith's home.

Claire loved exploring the outdoors. Looking at the view from the backyard of Joseph and Emma is breathtaking! The purple flowers, the reeds and the river was a sight that made me give thanks for Heavenly Father's creations.

The heat and the humidity made ice cold root beer a wonderful treat. Jack loved that he got his own bottle as we drank root beer from Joseph Smith's Redbrick Store. On the second story of the store Joseph has a small office. In a large room on the second floor the Relief Society was first organized. By small things great things will happen.



The beautiful open spaces were perfect for a family game of tag. It was also amazing to think that we may have played with our kids in the same place that Joseph and other great leaders may have spent quality time with their families.

Further into town we toured a school house, the brick yard, a bakery and the home of Brigham Young. The spirit within each of these places was a powerful reminder of the faith and diligence that the people of Nauvoo had. Diligence to build a beautiful city and faith to move on.

Lance had the chance to make his own rope. It was so wonderful to see his work so hard to crank the wheel to twist the twine to make his rope strong. The look of pride in his eyes as he was handed his own rope to take home was priceless.

We all had the chance to play games from a simpler time. Even Matt took his turn with the wheel and stick. We also had a bit of a race with stilts... it did not go how I wanted it to.

Claire tried her hand at Bear racing. Once again I tried to win a pioneer game, it is safe to say that Claire did not get her Bear racing skills from me.

Lance enjoyed dressing up and cleaning up the pint size cabin. Claire took care of the babies and Jack cooked a wonderful meal. It was fun to see them play the part.

Later that afternoon we went up the hill to the Temple.

It was awe inspiring to see this Temple sitting on the exact place where the Saints worked so hard to build one. Where I was standing was a beautiful statue of Joseph and Hyrum. The statue marks the place where the brothers stood and took one last look at the city and people that they loved, before they rode to Carthage Jail.


Our next stop was Carthage Jail, the place that Joseph was martyred. I expected to feel such a sadness there. Yet is was more of a feeling of inspiration. What the Prophet went through and the dedication of his brother to go with him even to death.

The second story window is where Joseph fell from after being shot.

To finish off an amazing day we attended the Nauvoo Pageant. Before the Pageant the kids were able to see a puppet show and make some crafts and play games. The performance was heart touching. In the beginning Parley P. Pratt says "We are here because you are here." When he said that I felt the truthfulness of it, there are those that have passed on that are grateful that we are falling in love with a city that they gave their all for.

After the show we were able to meet "Joseph". Lance ran up to him and jumped into his arms! Joseph embraced him and told him how glad it was that he could come. It was so touching to see how the spirit of this young Prophet was carried out in this young man.

Leaving Nauvoo was bitter sweet. Knowing that we were able to be in a place that Joseph Smith and other Saints, lived and built a Temple was testimony building. Yet, I was able to feel the sadness that the Saints must have felt in seeing the Temple slowly fade away into the background.