Family Fun and Fiji?

This past weekend my family F-I-N-A-L-L-Y came to visit and we had a great time! We began the fun-filled weekend on Friday. The girls went shopping at the fabulous teacher store called Lakeshore and the mall (with no budget restrictions) while the boys went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Then we ended our night with the delicious Cheesecake Factory and Pirates of the Caribbean 3. On Saturday we spent the day in Kirtland visiting the church history sites.

All of us in front of the Newel K. Whitney Store

Marc and I in front of the Kirtland Temple

The whole family in front of the big green door at the Kirtland Temple (remember the face of the one in the middle)

This was my family's first time visiting the Kirtland Church History sites and it was a great experience. We ended our Saturday by cheering on the Cougars, making homemade pizzas, and getting some yogurt. Sadly, our weekend came to an end all too quicky and we had to take my family back to the airport on Sunday (I have a love/hate relationship with the airport out here.) Marc and I loved having my family here. It was so nice to take a break from school and enjoy everyone's company. Being away from families has shown us how much we love and appericate them. Thanks family for coming to visit! Come again soon.

Now for some exciting news! Do you remember the the face I told you to remember? Well that is the face of Elder Talen Joseph Tremea. On Wednesday, October 26, 2011 he was called to serve in the Fiji Suva mission!

He will be serving the Lord by spreading the good word of the gospel in this beautiful country for two years!



As I watched Talen get his call, I was in shock. How could the man that was standing there getting his call be the same boy that used to spend hours playing chess so he could beat his second grade teacher, or the one who spent countless hours with his neighborhood friends at our house eating our food and drinking our lemonade, or the one who I used to bribe to make me chocolate milk everyday after school because I told him he was the best at making it. I am so proud of Talen and his decision to go on his mission. Talen has always had a strong testimony of the church. He is such an example to me. Even after a long day of school, homework, and basketball, one can still find that boy reading his scriptures each night. Even though I am proud of him, I am going to miss him like crazy. Talen and I have become close as we have gotten older and I am going to miss our late night talks and of course his personality, but I know that Talen has a great work to do in Fiji. I am so proud of you Talen. Love ya!

Fall Fun

One of the best things about living in Ohio is that it is close to so many fun places! This past weekend we took a road trip to New York. We have been planning this trip for quite awhile and did our best to time it around when the leaves would be in their peak of changing colors. You can be the judge by looking at the pictures, but I think we did pretty well. Our first stop was Palmyra, New York. While we were there we did the "must see's" which include: the Smith's log home and frame home, Sacred Grove, Palmyra Temple, and Hill Cumorah. The Sacred Grove was so beautiful and peaceful (you could even hear the leaves falling from the trees.) Marc and I have been to these sites before with our familes but we both enjoyed being able to go together.

In front of the Smith family frame home (where they used to store their bees.)

While you are in the temple you can look out the window and see the Sacred Grove. Beautiful!

Inside the Sacred Grove.

Walking out of the Sacred Grove.

Palymra Temple

After spending time at the Smith family homes and the Sacred Grove, we made the long two mile trek over to the Hill Cumorah. Last time I was here the pagent was going on so the hill looked a lot different this time. I hope we get a chance to go to the pagent while we are out here for dental school. It is amazing.

On the way home from Palmrya, we decided to take another way home for new scenary and so we did not have to pay for the toll rodes. Marc did some great research and discoverd Letchworth State Park also known as "The Grand Canyon of the East."

We loved getting out of the car and looking at ALL of the look out points.

The falls at the park were incredible. Who needs to drive to Niagara Falls when you have these ones?

We had a great weekend and plan to make this trip a tradition!!