Oreo's first time swimming...

This weekend we decided to take Oreo out to the Connecticut River where there is a little sandbar and see how his does at swimming. He really ate it all up and enjoyed swimming around. He enjoyed it so much that when you picked him up he just continues to keep on swimming in the air. (See the video below).

Clint and Oreo playing on the sandbar

Exploring the beach

All the sand stuck in his nose and beard

Does he look like a homeless dog or what?

The sandbar

Palmyra, New York...Hill Cumorah Pageant and more...

Since we first got here, I have been wanting to go to Palmyra, NY and see the Hill Cumorah Pageant. This weekend I got my wish.  We made the six hour drive on Friday and camped over night at the KOA. The next morning we went to all the church history sites there including Joseph Smith's family farm, the printing shop where the first Book of Mormon was printed, the Sacred Grove, and Martin Harris' home. What a neat experience it was to see first hand where the church was reorganized. One our favorite things that we did that morning was the Sacred Grove.  There was such a peaceful and calm spirit there and we were able to just sit on a bench in the middle of the grove and reflect on what happened there. It was such a testimony building experience of the truthfulness of Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We also got to see the Palmyra Temple and hike up the Hill Cumorah.  (Which is nothing of a hill really and took all of five minutes to climb. That's my kind of hike. ) The pageant was amazing. They had hundreds of volunteer's who fill up a three-tiered stage and put on an such a awe inspiring and spiritual performance. The part I felt was so amazing was when the portray Joseph Smith burying the golden plates on the Hill Cumorah and the thought ran through my head that "This place where I am sitting right now IS the place where that happened. It IS the place where Moroni came to Joseph and where Joseph buried the golden plates." Everything that I have ever read or learned about Joseph Smith came into clear focus and my testimony grew so much.  I am so grateful for the opportunity that we had to go to Palmyra this weekend and to have the opportunity to see the things we did and to gain a greater testimony of this wonderful gospel. 

Palmyra Temple

Joseph Smith's Log Cabin

Where Angel Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith framed home



Fireplace where Joseph Smith hid golden plates from the mob



The Sacred Grove



The Sacred Grove



Sitting in the Sacred Grove

One of the original manuscripts of the Book of Mormon

Where the first Book of Mormon was printed

Martin Harris home

A little detour that we made... The first shopping mall in America

Did someone say shopping? I am there!

Hill Cumorah

Hill Cumorah Pageant

New Britian, Connecticut...Fourth of July...

Clint and I were a little unsure of what to do for the Fourth of July. We are usually close to family and participate in what they have going on. So we did a little research and found out that most places around here celebrate the Fourth either the weekend before or the weekend after. Luckily we found one place that actually had a celebration and fireworks on the Fourth.  We decided to take Oreo and let him experience his first Fourth of July. We had dinner from one of the little venders in the park and then sat on the hill and waited for the fireworks.  Clint and I thought the firework show was a worthy performance. Oreo probably had a different view. He basically burrowed his head in my arm like a little Ostrich and didn't come out until the fireworks were over.  It was kind of a hard day for me. I really missed not being able to be with my family and participate in the traditions there. But we made due with our situation and still had fun. :)

Oreo's first Fourth of July

Clint and Oreo hanging out before the fireworks

Our little Ostrich

Oreo and I (He needs a haircut)

In New York...There's nothing you can't do...Big lights will inspire you...Let's hear it for New York...

New York City: Broadway, Cheesecake, Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center, etc. It all came true this weekend with my first (Clint's second) trip to New York City. We both can't believe that New York City is only a couple of hours away from us, but believe us when we say we will be cashing in on that advantage. This weekend Clint had both Friday and Monday off for the Fourth of July weekend. We figured it would be a good New York City weekend. There is train that goes from Connecticut directly into downtown New York City. We figured this would be the best way since the traffic is absolutely crazy in New York and we have tried that one once and never will do that again. We took the train down and then headed to Broadway where we saw Phantom of the Opera. What a difference lots of money and talent makes on the quality of the production. Both Clint and I were blown away by the amazing vocals, props, and the overall experience. We would highly recommend it to anyone. We then went and tried the Collins boy's (Matt and Clint's) favorite cheesecake from Junior's. I have to say it does hold up to it's acclaimed reputation. We stayed in Brooklyn for the night (This seems to be the cheaper way to do it. Hotels in downtown New York City are pretty expensive.) The next day we did the NY Citysites bus tour. It involves a few different tours (uptown, downtown, night, and river cruise). It was well worth the money. We got to see a very broad overview of New York City and got an idea of what we would like to see on our next trip. The riverboat cruise was fun. It takes you down the Hudson, under the Brooklyn Bridge, and out to the Statue of Liberty. Besides Broadway, the Statue of Liberty was the one thing I wanted to see. It was definitely worth it and such an amazing sight. One of the other neat things we saw on our trip was the site of the World Trade Centers. There was such a different feeling there that I can't explain. But being there and seeing the new building being erected and the American flag hanging over the place where a lot of people lost their lives brought the reality of that horrible day into perspective.  It truly made me proud to be an American and proud of our troops who are fighting so valiantly for our country and for our freedom against those who attacked our homeland and loved ones.  Well our overall 48 hour trip to New York City was fantastic and left us with a taste in our mouth and more cravings to go back often. 

Inside the theater

Broadway!!!!

Junior's Cheesecake

View of New York City from the Hudson

Statue of Liberty

The best crepes ever

George Washington's Chair

Fireman's coat on one of the pews of the church across from the World Trade Centers

One of the World Trade Center's being rebuilt (Sounds like they are actually going to build three buildings and they are going to be taller than the originals.)

First Loaf of Bread...

I was pretty proud of myself for making my first loaf of bread ever. It turned out pretty good if I do say so myself and Clint practically eating it up in a day and a half confirms that. :) (Thanks to my Grandma Larsen for giving me some yeast tips that helped out a ton.)

Boston, Massachusetts...

This Saturday we thought it would be fun to take the two hour drive up to Boston, Massachusetts and check out the Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is basically a 3+ mile trail through Boston that hits a lot of historical sites like Paul Revere's home, graveyards where Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Payne, etc. are buried, and other early American historical sites. We didn't know what to do with Oreo so we decided he could use a trip out of the house and also the exposure to unknown people. Boston driving turned out to be a nightmare (I would not recommend ever driving downtown Boston). After accidentally putting ourselves on the other side of Boston and then having to pay a toll on the bridge to come back, we finally parked and walked. We made it about half the way through the trail and then Oreo became rather heavy and the heat and humidity got to us. But before that point we did get to see some really cool graveyards where most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were buried and some other influential people in American history. We also saw where the Declaration of Independence was first read and where the Boston Massacre took place.  Seeing all of these places more fully made me realize how true these history "stories" that you learn about are and what important rolls they played in our nation becoming what it is today. It gave me a greater sense of gratitude for what this country is set upon and for the founders that set that foundation up.  Boston was a really neat experience and we hope to go back soon and finish out the Freedom Trail and explore more of Boston. 

Where the Boston Massacre took place and also where the Declaration of Independence was first read.

An example of some of the really old graveyards. Here Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, Thomas Payne, and a few other well known people are buried.

Paul Revere's gravestone.

The purse dog I always wanted. (Just have to find a rather big purse to fit him in.)

Taking a break after the long and hot walk along the Freedom Trail.

Essex, Connecticut...First Train Ride...

Today I got to ride in my first real train ever is Essex, Connecticut. Clint and I purchased some tickets for a steam train and riverboat ride combination. It was a fun little adventure that consisted of an hour or so train ride and then another hour and a half boat ride down the Connecticut River. It was a fun little Saturday activity that I quite enjoyed and now I can say I have ridden a steam train. :)

The Train

My first train ride

Clint on the train

The riverboat

Us on the riverboat