2006 was the first year we decided to start a new Christmas family tradition. As Chad and I were discussing our Christmas list we kept coming up with the same ole gift ideas and even being stumped for some. We saw that the kids really were in not great need of anything , so we decided to take a vacation as a fun-filled gift that would create a lasting memory that they would hopefully remember more than those toys that seem to collect dust after about a month after Christmas.
The first Christmas vacation was to Rochester and Palmyra New York. Chad and I both love to travel and we think it is fun to come up ideas for new places to visit. Palmyra was our first choice and we were directed to Rochester through the website for Palmyra. We also are hooked on priceline.com it is so fun to name your own price for things like hotels and car rentals. We booked at hotel near Palmyra the first night, we booked it because it had an indoor pool., yet the day we were there the heater was broke in the pool and it was an ice bath. A couple of the braver kids still swam though. The 2nd night we decide to leave and find another hotel. We looked through the phone book and found a good deal at a hotel near Rochester called The Woodcliff Hotel. It was sooooo beautiful and we were so surprised this hotel was five star service and amenities and yes the pool was warm and wonderful. The Hotel pool towels were kept warm for you.
The Woodcliff with picture of pool.
We Chose Palmyra because our Church has a lot of history there and were able to visit the sites and enjoy learning. We went to Palmyra on Christmas eve. It was so nice and actually a little warm out so we take in some of the outdoor sites. Our Church hold a huge pageant there in the summer I would love to go back for it.
Our 4 month old twins never even new we were there. They were so good while we went sightseeing.
We are at the Hill Cumorah Visitors center in front of my favorite statue called The Christus"
Inside the Joseph Smith family home.
A pretty view of the Temple off the path by the Sacred Grove.
This is a building in Rochester. Love the Christmas tree. In Rochester we spent the whole day at their famous Children's Play Museum. It is the best one we have been to so far. Lots and lots of fun was had by all.
Mya sitting in a pretend bath tub. Harmony on a Hand chair.
Liam in the hall of mirrors.
Chad made a new friend. Me eating my enormous pretend Breakfast.
Liam doing the worm on the dance floor. "mother" Mya helping hold a baby. Mya is so bonded with the twins, and this is a good example of why. She was always wanting to help me do the stuff with the babies that help them bond to you, like feeding, soothing, and playing with them.
Mya sitting in a pretend bath tub. Harmony on a Hand chair.
Liam in the hall of mirrors.
Chad made a new friend. Me eating my enormous pretend Breakfast.
Liam doing the worm on the dance floor. "mother" Mya helping hold a baby. Mya is so bonded with the twins, and this is a good example of why. She was always wanting to help me do the stuff with the babies that help them bond to you, like feeding, soothing, and playing with them.
Hey Chad where are you? This is a shadow trapper. Silhouette of the kids dancing.
Forrest's eyes peering through. Liam bursting out of the haunted house.
Boys playing pirate dress up on their ship. Harmony playing with and air target.
Lets go shopping boys. This is why I do the REAL grocery shopping. We would end up with carts full of pop and sweets.
Girls playing grocery.
A palace fit for my two kings.
And my queens.
We even got to go to sesame street. Look at my little birdies in Big birds nest.
Huge Window, that's us in the foreground.
The trip was an instant hit and we had so much fun. The babies survived being lugged around and we survived having to do it. As the kids get older I am anxious to see what fun plans we will come up with. Our look back has ended for now, and the kids are already talking about our next trip. We heard ideas like "mall of America," New York City, and Disney World....We'll see.
Forrest's eyes peering through. Liam bursting out of the haunted house.
Boys playing pirate dress up on their ship. Harmony playing with and air target.
Lets go shopping boys. This is why I do the REAL grocery shopping. We would end up with carts full of pop and sweets.
Girls playing grocery.
A palace fit for my two kings.
And my queens.
The kids try to knock around volley balls on the wall.
We even got to go to sesame street. Look at my little birdies in Big birds nest.
Huge Window, that's us in the foreground.
The trip was an instant hit and we had so much fun. The babies survived being lugged around and we survived having to do it. As the kids get older I am anxious to see what fun plans we will come up with. Our look back has ended for now, and the kids are already talking about our next trip. We heard ideas like "mall of America," New York City, and Disney World....We'll see.
