Hill Cumorah Pageant

Can you tell we only got 5 hours of sleep the night before?

Last weekend we went on a short trip to meet Pat and Deb at the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, NY. We woke up bright and early and were on the road by 6am. Pat and Deb were out even earlier around 2 in the morning (They were really excited to see the kids!). The trip was uneventful except for getting a ticket in NY for talking on my cell phone while driving. What a way to start a vacation!

Eli was immediately at home: snuggled up on Papa's lap like nothing has changed.

Sarah was excited to see her Grandma!

We got there around noon. We planned our trip a little late so our hotel was in Rochester, about 30 minutes from Palmyra. We got there before Pat and Deb so we drove around looking for a place to eat. We settled on Dinosaur Bar-b-que and it was outstanding! Sarah ran across the restaurant screaming for Grandma when she saw them walk in. It was pretty cute.

Noah was actually crying because he wanted to be in the picture with Papa too. I love how the boys put their heads together for this picture and smiled so big.

Pool time!

Once back at the hotel we went for a swim. The swimming pool was outside on the 4th floor. It was pretty neat. The water was actually decently warm as well. Noah and Eli (but especially Noah) are pretty nervous in deep water and tend to distrust us that we'll hold them and keep them safe in the water. Noah finally warmed up to the idea of getting in the water after he saw everyone else playing and having fun. He finally got in and had a fun time playing "sharknado" (You've seen the previews for that new TV show right? Ridiculous!).

Sarah was the bravest one. You had to really watch her because she would jump before you were ready.

We all piled into our van and headed to the pageant that evening. I was crammed all the way in the back between Noah and Eli's carseats. There really isn't enough room back there so I was sitting on one butt cheek. It wasn't too bad on the way there but after the pageant it took 30 minutes just to get out of the parking lot and then another 45 minutes back to the hotel room because the stupid freeway was closed for construction!

We picked up some food at the grocery store so we could have a picnic and some treats. Our old bishop from Kentucky has always been actively involved in the pageant. For years he and has family spent several weeks in Palmyra helping to set up the stage. He was also in charge of the workcrews that managed the lights and the set. He didn't do that this year but his youngest son was there working under the stage. They saved us great seats up near the front of the stage. The pageant was awesome. I wasn't sure what to expect but they tell the story of the Book of Mormon prophets. The stage was really cool and they had awesome visual effects with water and fire. My favorite part was when Jesus appeared to the Nephites and invited all the young children to come to him. It made me cry.

We got a picture with some of the dancers/extras in the pageant.

This statue of Christ is in the visitors center.

And we of course had to get a picture with Wicked King Noah!

This is the stage.

The next morning we all went out for some breakfast and then headed back home. The weekend went by fast but it was great to see Pat and Deb again. I know the kids have missed them and they were sad to say goodbye. I can't wait for them to come visit next month for the boys' birthday.