Earlier this year Braden had a lesson in Primary about the first vision. He was so excited to tell me all about Joseph Smith and how he prayed to know what church was true. I could see the budding of his testimony as he told me of the answer that Joseph Smith received by seeing God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I remember taking the time to talk to him about all that he had learned that day and even showed him some pictures of when I went to the Sacred Grove when he was still inside my tummy. I told him that the Sacred Grove wasn't too far from our house and ever since he has been begging to go. We decided to take a small detour on our journey home from Niagara Falls to visit.
We stopped at the Temple first and walked around it.
And then we headed over to the Smith Farm. Before we entered the Grove we stopped at the log home.
Then we went into the Sacred Grove. I love the feeling in there. I think Kameron put it best when he described the feeling as a big hug from our Heavenly Father.
We hadn't gone very far into the trees when Braden let go of Kam's hand and said that he needed to do something really quick. Right there he knelt down and said a prayer to his Heavenly Father.
It was really precious. I asked him what he said when he prayed and he told me that he asked Heavenly Father to help him to always obey his mom and dad.
I know that he is young but I hope that he will always remember the feeling he felt while in this sacred place.
We didn't have much time to see anything else while in Palmyra but before leaving we did drive past the Martin Harris Farm; something we didn't do the last time we were here.
This past weekend we took a little trip up north to Niagara Falls. We decided that we wanted to get the best experience possible so we crossed the border into Canada. Seeing the falls was absolutely amazing. I wish we had had more time to see and do everything, but what we did get to do and see was definitely amazing!
Since we did only have one day to everything we wanted we decided to do a tour so that we could learn the history of the falls and experience several things on our to-do list. Before heading out though we took a quick stop for breakfast at the Flying Saucer, a recommendation from a local.
On our tour our first stop was Skylon Tower. At the top of the tower is an observation deck with the most incredible views of the falls.
The Horseshoe
The American Falls
One of our next stops was to see the Whirlpool.
We also stopped to see the Niagara Falls Floral Clock, part of the Botanical Gardens at the School of Horticulture.
I love these buses
One of my favorite stops was at the Butterfly Observatory. We got to see thousands of butterflies that flew all around us and even landed on us occasionally.
Carter loved seeing the butterflies but did not like the butterfly on his stroller.
We were most excited for the later part of our tour where we got to ride on the Maid of the Mist. This was Braden's favorite thing we did. I was pretty certain that we were going to be drenched, but in fact it wasn't too bad. The mist was crazy and it felt like we were in the middle of a storm, but the view from the falls from the boat were spectacular!
American Falls
Looking back down river.
The Horeshoe
After the boat ride we were able to go down next to the Horseshoe where we got to journey behind the falls. We walked down tunnels to see behind the falls and then out to an observatory deck to get a good look of the falls from the base.
The rainbows were amazing. No matter where you were during the day you could see one.
The boys were exhausted ans so were we so we headed back to the hotel and decided to save some of our tickets for the next day. That night after putting the kids to bed Kam and I stayed up to watch the falls from our hotel room.
The View at Night
The View During the Day
The next morning we checked out of the hotel and headed to do the white water walk to see the class 6 whirlpool rapids. We had to travel down an elevator and through a tunnel to get to the rapids. They were huge!
Brady wasn't too sure about me holding him up on the fence.
The walk along the rapids was so beautiful.
From here we thought about going to use our last tickets for Niagara's Fury, a 4-D experience but decided not to because we thought the kids would get scared. Instead we got in the car to drive to our next adventure.
What an exciting week! Braden started Pre-K! Last year he was put in an advanced class and this year, since he misses the Kindergarten deadline, we again registered him for another advanced preschool class. He now goes 4 days a week in the afternoon.
Last week his school held a Sneak-a-Peek so we could meet his new teachers, Miss Lori and Miss Wendy. Originally he was going to have the same teachers as last year, but due to some of the kids deciding not to attend this year the school decided to only have one class. We found out about the change the night before orientation and when I told Braden about it he said to me, "It doesn't matter who my teacher is. I'm just excited I get to go to school!" I so hope that he keeps this positive attitude about school in the future.
The Sneak-a-Peek was really fun. Braden went on a scavenger hunt to find different things in the classroom, we filled out some forms, met the other kids and the teacher talked to the parents about what to expect during the year.
Daddy gave Braden a special blessing the night before school started. Braden was very reverent and excited to take part in this special tradition. Braden was blessed to not only learn in school but to learn more about our Savior and to be a good friend.
The first day of school came with lots and lots of rain and cool fall weather. We ended up having to take our "back-to-school" photo's indoors. Carter was very excited for Braden to start school. I think he may have wanted to be going too. He took the news well that his first day wouldn't be until a few days later. Still, he just had to get his backpack on to pose with his brother.
Can we go yet?
At the school Braden's excitement could barely be contained. He walked right into his classroom, went up to his teacher, spread his arms out wide and said, "How 'bout a back-to-shool hug!" He gave his teacher a big hug and then proceeded to hug some of his friends.
Carter's enthusiasm unfortunately died out when we got to the school. He just hung at the door with a sad face and a little whimpering cry. I asked him why he was so sad and he told me that he "want my brother."
I asked Carter if he would feel better if he could give his brother a hug goodbye. He said yes and went in the classroom to hive him a hug. He was crying when he walked back out so brother came and gave him another hug.
Then we walked down the hall where we waved goodbye to Braden at the "goodbye window."
It was an emotional goodbye.
In the car Carter was still very upset.
{if you are having trouble viewing the video click here}
While Braden was at school Carter and I went to the library. On the way to the library we had this conversation:
C- "Mommy, I see a butterfly!"
M- "You see a butterfly?"
C- "Yeah, it makes me happy!"
He was definitely much happier after seeing his butterfly and we had a great time at the library. When it was time to pick up Braden, Carter was very excited. He couldn't get into the school fast enough.
Two days later it was finally time for Carter's first day of school. Carter was so excited that it was his turn to go to school. Carter's class is what they call the "two's class." It's a pay-as-you-use program that allows smaller children an opportunity to learn basic
colors, shapes, sharing and socialization, and a short Bible
story. Each day has a new theme and project for the kids. Carter went last year a few times and this year I've decided to let him go once a week. I never thought that I would be okay letting him go to school this early but he loves it so much, plus it gives me a chance to have some one on one time with Braden.
