Introduction

Travis and I had the great oppurtunity to go back East and visit the historical sites. We had the stomach flu the week before we left, so we were definitly ready for the break. We left little Ava home with wonderful friends and my parents and we were off! We couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the responsibility we had. We no longer were following our parents and doing everything they told us to do. We planned everything and we were on our own. We loved every minute of our trip. We got to know each other so much more and it really was a second honeymoon. We missed Ava so much and we were ready to get back home to get some hugs and kisses. Thank you to everyone who helped us get on our trip and for those who helped watch and take care of Ava while we were gone. Please enjoy the pictures and make any comments!!!

First Stop...Hill Cumorah

We decided that we didn't want to waste any time and hit our first stop the night we arrived in Palmyra. We wanted to wait until dusk because we knew the view from on top of the hill would be beautiful, and it sure was. We first took a tour though the Visitor Center and then took a hike up the hill...I honestly mean up the hill. We didnt look for the path and went straight up. I had charlie hoarses the rest of the trip ;)What is different about this statue of Christ and the one in SLC is that Christ is in the Sacred Grove which is the mural behind him. Travis "reading" a Japanese Book of Mormon...Pierce should love this one!

And this is the hill we climbed up!

The Smith Home and Frame House

We went on a tour through both homes and it was so nice to hear all the different stories about the different events that happened there regarding the life of Joseph Smith growing up.

The Sacred Grove

The Sacred Grove was an amazing and beautiful experience. We were able to take a tour of the Smith home and log home and then we went on our own through the grove. This was the most perfect time of year. There weren't many bugs and it had a nice breeze. This allowed us to take our time and walk all around the whole grove. The trees are so tall and the light seemed to shine through picture perfectly. What an awesome experience we had together.

Grandin Building

This is the Grandin building where the first Book of Mormon was made. It has so many cool tools and stories as to how the books were made from beginning to end.

Visitor's Center and Whitmer Farm

This was a beautiful church building/visitor's center.

We loved this picture. The sister missionary said it perfectly: "Even the prophet does the small things like setting up chairs to prepare for church."
Outside the Whitmer Home

Kirtland

We were able to spend the day in Kirtland visiting the whole area. Here are the pictures from the little town of Kirtland.

Here is a beautiful picture of the Kirtland temple when it was being "made" in the Visitor's Center. They showed a awesome movie which definitly set the mood before the tour. Here we are in front of the Newel K. Whitney store. This was one of Travis's favorite places.



This is Newel K. Whitney's home. They said that the yellow color on their house was one of the most expensive colors to buy. Here is the sawmill.