Wray Reunion 2012: Part IV

Last Post for the Wray Reunion, I promise :)  On Thursday, we headed down to Amish Country. This is by far Josh and my favorite thing we did in Cleveland.  We loved going down there.  We started out taking a ride on a horse drawn wagon and went through acres that held several exotic animals. 

We then headed to Wendell August.  That place is amazing.  I could spend a lot of money there.  In the back they have a place where you can pound an imagine into the aluminum.

We ate lunch at an delicious Amish restaurant.  We looked in a few furniture stores and explored their amazing craftsmanship.  Then we all departed and went our separate ways into the several different shops.

On Friday, we went to Kirtland and the John Johnson Farm.  I didn't get my camera out but did steal a few pictures from Becca and Ashley.

Kirtland:

 

 

 

 

 

John Johnson Farm:

 

 

 

Saturday everyone helped us clean and pack our last things in order for us to move a few days later.  Then they headed back out to Idaho.  We sure miss but are so thankful that everyone was able to come out.  We are so thankful for Vince and Jill for doing everything that they have for us.  They are amazing people.  I married into a great family!

Wray Reunion 2012: Part III

OK, I am determined to get caught up on my blog.  So here we going.  Continuing where I left off in May (yes, I know that it is now September). 

 

This seems so long ago, but that's because it was.  When the Wray side of the family came too visit us when we still lived in Ohio, we really did have a blast.  On Tuesday, we celebrated Rylee's birthday with her opening presents, a great breakfast, a fun day and cake and ice cream.  I stole these pictures from Ashley's blog (thanks!).

 

 

This day consisted of a girls day out and a boys days out.  As the girls. we went to Charmin Charlies, which is an awesome jewelry/accessory store that is sorted by color.  We had a blast looking around and buying a few things.  Sadly, this is the ONLY picture of our girls day, but I do have to say its pretty cute.  It's Miss Reese having a blast shopping.  After Charming Charlies, we went to lunch at Cheesecake Factory.  Yum!  It was a great day.

 

While the girls were shopping and eating, the boys headed down to the Football Hall of Fame and did their thing.  Here are a few pictures that Josh took.  It looks like had a great time having their male bonding time.

After our day excursions, we met back at home ate a quick dinner then headed to downtown Cleveland for an Indians game.  We had a blast but Josh and I were a little sad as we knew this would be the last time we went to the stadium.  We love it there!

 

It was a GREAT day!  By the end of the day, we were all completely exhausted by the fun day.

 

Wednesday, we went to Kalahari, which is a large indoor water park.  No pictures there.  I know I'm not fond of taking pictures in my bathing suit :)  But we had a blast going on all the water slides.  Since we went in the middle of the week and while school was still in for most schools, the lines were not bad at all.  It was a great park.  We had so much fun this week and wish we could relive it :)

Wray Reunion 2012: Part II

Monday morning, we woke up early and headed down to the Smith Farm/Sacred Grove in Palmyra.  Again, it was great to be in these sacred places.  We first went on a tour then went into the Sacred Grove.  I didn't take very many pictures and the ones that I did take with just with my point and shoot.

Here is the Smith home.  This is where they Smith family lived when Joseph received the First Vision:

Vince, Paxton and Josh inside the Smith home:

The Wray kids.  This is the room where Angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith.

The Palmyra Temple.  It's beautiful!  President Hinckley requested a few trees to be removed in order to have this beautiful scene.

Little Miss Reese...I just love this picture of her

The whole gang outside of the barn  (compliments of Becca)

We then headed into the Sacred Grove.  What a sweet spirit.  In this grove of trees is where Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.

While we were in the Sacred Grove, we took family pictures (hence the all white shirts and blue jeans).  These last two pictures are compliments of Becca as well.  She did a great job with them!

After a quick picnic in the Sacred Grove, we all packed up and headed to Niagara Falls.  I have been here three times in my life now and for some reason, it is one of my favorite places.  I love the park there and of course the falls are just stunning.   It's just a fun place to be.  Next time I go, I would love to have a passport and go to the Canadian side.

Here is the beautiful state park:

The Falls with Canada in the distance

McKenzi...I'm so glad she was able to come.  We were both really excited to meet her and are so glad that we were able to meet her BEFORE the wedding.  Living so far away, there are just too many in-laws that we haven't met until the actual wedding.  We love McKenzi and know she is just perfect for Chase!

If you can't tell, I LOVE the American flag.  There is just something so beautiful and sacred about it.  Any time we are out and about and I see a flag, I just HAVE to take a picture.

We got to go on the Maid of the Mist.  It's always a blast and we always get way more wet than I expect.  Here is Josh on our ride to the falls:

Jill just having a good time.  I love this huge smile on her face :)

Andrew, Vince and Paige

Paige:

This is Josh on the way back from the falls...just a little more wet :)

The gorgeous falls:

Josh, myself and Paige

From the observation deck.  The famous Horseshoe Falls are there in the far back...You can get a good picture of them from the American side.

Taylor and Josh waiting for everyone in the park:

We had a great time at the falls and for it being Memorial Day, it was not very crowded.  It was the perfect day to go.  The weather was beautiful and there weren't a ton of people.  We had a great time.  After we packed up, we headed back to Cleveland and spent the rest of the week around the area.  More to come soon...