On To Oz…

Day 4

Or New York…to you guys.

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You know how, when it’s time to pack up and leave a hotel–a hotel you’ve called “home” for 3 days–how it’s kind of an ordeal to sort out his, and hers and theirs and ours and somehow get it all packed back into those really little shrinking suitcases? Well, we did it.

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April even rounded up her arsenal of 843 Binkies–for the road. It’s apparently a twin thing.

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Little dudes are ready…

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Teeny, tiny Aunt Jillian has squeezed into her cozy spot–where no other human being could possibly fit. So, we are indeed ready to head off to the big city.

Several hours and a couple of rest stops later, we spotted signs that we were leaving the quiet, foresty, calm world that we had known, thus far.

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“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

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“Look! Emerald City is closer, and prettier than ever!”

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WAIT. Nobody told me about the tunnel….

the UNDER WATER tunnel!

Dude.

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Perhaps I haven’t shared with you how I feel about tunnels. We won’t talk about the underwater part.

Imagine me, with my eyes squinched shut, fingers in my ears, shrieking. Not a fan of tunnels.

Ok, ok. When I opened up my eyes, I realize that we had survived.

But it was close.

And so the city approaches.

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Those are some mighty tall buildings, Opie.

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And that-there is a busload of people, Aunt Bee.

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While unloading the car we had a swarm of passer-byers make sweet comments about seeing 3 babies all in one place, and about Chompy’s new hat. Wait a second–is this the cold, mean New York, that we’ve heard so much about? Hmmm….

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By the time we got our luggage to our rooms upstairs the place really came to life. We did learn fast that if you see something cool and stop to take a picture of it, you’ll cause an immediate 17 people pile up. The proper procedure is to step off to the side and then snap the picture. That may make a few people smile and shake their heads, like, “Oh, you tourists,” but it beats being trampled to death on Broadway.

Our hotel room was just around the corner from Time Square.

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We found a familiar pizza joint, first thing. The guy behind the counter yelled at us–and I’m not kidding–to give him our order,  before we even stepped up to the counter.

He said, “Boom, boom, boom! What you want? Hurry! Move!” Don’t be dilly-dallying around in this town man. These folks are in a hurry.

Obviously, some of us were particularly hungry.

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Ditto.

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So many lights. So many people. So far away from home. So much to look at. So much to squeeze into the next couple of days.

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So nice of Johnny Depp to welcome us to town.

Yeah…I feel at home already.

{ Sacred }

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Smith Family Farm

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Stream on Smith Farm

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Sacred Grove

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Sacred Grove

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Sacred Grove

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Joseph’s Loft Bedroom

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Palmyra LDS Temple

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Original hearthstones where the plates were hidden

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Original floorboards in Smith Family Farmhouse

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Family Room

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Smith Family Farm

Question of the Day…

Does anyone know what kind of flower this is?

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Look closely. The first person who guesses correctly will win a prize. I’m not sure what yet–but of course it will be wonderful. Spectacular even.

Here’s a hint: It’s not something I ever hoped to see…ever.

Guess away–and I’ll announce the winner and the prize on Monday August 3 at 10:00 am.

Good luck my dah-lings!

Falling

Day 3

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Please insert one verse of Willie Nelson singing, “On the Road Again.” What are those roller coastery things in front of us any way? We don’t drive on stuff like that where I come from.

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Don’t worry. New York roads aren’t this steep. I was just trying to be artsy, but instead I think it’s making me carsick….

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Ooooh—looky. Another toll booth. What a shockeroo. I told you…they are everywhere.

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About midway, we pulled over for a roadside picnic.

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My personal favorite item? Mini bananas! Who knew such a thing existed? Maybe they are from some teeny tiny tropical island, with really small people on it. ha ha

I crack myself up.

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These cute babies just keep popping up.

Just a tad more driving and finally, finally we reach our destination—

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Niagara Falls! Do you feel like you are stuck in the middle of some crazy people’s home movies? Well, that my friend, if because you ARE!

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Be brave, little piglet. This place was cool—even from the American side.

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The babies didn’t have passports to cross over to the Canadian side…

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where most of the post cards come from.

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It was simply beautiful…and big and loud and steep…

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and no–we are not going down there to get reeally close.

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In fact, this romantic place felt much safer for some of us, behind a sturdy glass wall.

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It did, however, inspire a few folks to do some outrageous things.

Honestly, the nerve of some people.

 

 

—————

Week #20 Food Storage Prompt: 20 lbs. of sugar

Total Fairness…

Day 2…still

We found this random, obscure, completely perfect county fair while we were messing around in the calm portion of New York. County fairs are essential to your eternal salvation. I’ve no idea how–but I’m sure it’s true.

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Of course, the first stop is anywhere where the guys can shoot something….anything.

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And we can watch them and…clap.

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Luckily, the other booths weren’t quite manly enough to get our guys’ attention—

because they wanted to save up all their primal caveman instincts for a ride like this.

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You know, one that gives them the sensation that their brain matter is shooting out their nose.

No, no. I don’t get it either…but we watched…we clapped.

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Help me understand why we even let these goof-balls drive, let alone be the president?

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In my opinion, this is a more rational ride–floating through the air with your eyes closed—like you’re on an old fashioned rope swing—now that need I could respect. Hmmmmm….lovely.

Moving on to a few “firsts.”

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First time for these human babies to meet these farm babies.

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First time for them to have a helmet strapped on their heads–and by a pirate, no less.

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First time to ride a real live pony. This little dude is a natural. He was so comfortable that he actually started falling asleep and tipping over.

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Real fake pony ride–on the carousel–big first. They loved the music and kept trying to wave their hands and dance. Note to babies: No dancing on the Merry-go-round, and scaring Grammy half to death. Just hang onto the pole.

Sheesh.

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Baby Chompy–bored with, or overwhelmed by all the fuss. This, however, is not a first.

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Watching babies take a swirly ride in a big pink chicken–yeah, that was a first.

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Watching their daddy—the dare devil of the entire, roller coaster universe—turn greener (is that a word?) and greener (I guess it is), with each round. Pretty funny first, although, I will admit–we were never quite sure if he was goofing around or ready to hurl.

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Oh, the crazy lights…

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the powdered sugar waffles…

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the plethora of goats…

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and the indescribable deep fried, peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Oh. It. Was. Fabulous.

No, this is not a good time to tell me about the evils of fried food.

Fortunately–everyone knows that calories don’t count when you’re on vacation.

Good thing.

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