The Winger Life: Palmyra

Adam and I decided we needed to get away for the weekend and do something fun. We tossed around the idea of Boston or DC but ended up deciding on Palmyra! We made reservations at a hotel with fold-out couch for the kids and an indoor pool, as well as a continental breakfast, and took off early Saturday.

It ended up being a very uplifting and relaxing weekend, and the fall weather could not have been more beautiful. We prepped the kids with the story of Joseph and the First Vision and watched some You Tube videos along those lines before we went to the Joseph Smith's home and the Sacred Grove. The kids loved seeing the old houses and beds (Mykee was intrigued with the beds for some reason) and were excited to get to the Sacred Grove so they could say a prayer and have Jesus appear to them. The tour guide missionary recognized us from the I'm A Mormon video and said we probably get that a lot. When I told her we didn't get it often at all she laughed like I was being sarcastic! I felt a little awkward with my "fame," especially when she said she couldn't wait to tell her companion she'd given us a tour!

Mykelle drinking from the trough

When we made it to the grove Mykelle asked to say a prayer- I had to tell the kids that if they closed their eyes they could feel Jesus around them, but wouldn't be able to see him. It was a great opportunity to talk about feeling the spirit. So we sat on a bench in the grove and prayed together. Mykelle and Evan both agreed they felt Jesus' spirit even though he was invisible to them. It was very sweet.

As we were leaving the grove we told Mykelle that Joseph Smith has stood where she had and prayed where she had. She got all excited and asked, "And did the mosquitos suck his blood out just like they sucked ours?!?" Funny the things kids key in on...

After the sacred grove we had a picnic at the Smith farm picnic area (really just some tables off to the side of the parking lot). Then we went on to the Hill Cumora. Mykee and Evan's favorite part was seeing the giant statue of Jesus in the visitor's center. They also loved climbing and then rolling down the hill!

Our weekend also involved a lot of swimming and the very first miniature golf experience for our kids! Needless to say, they needed a LOT of work... But with a little help they each got themselves a hole-in-one!