NY Road Trip Part 3: Rochester

Well the main driving factor for us making this trip now was to see some medical specialists at the University of Rochester (Curt was diagnosed with FSHD last year and we're still trying to figure out a lot of things).

In Rochester we hung out at the hotel, swam and went on a little outing downtown which included the science museum.

Oh - and the purchase of this new dress because June fell in a [disgusting] mud puddle and getting a new pair of pants was easier than anything else...only June really doesn't like wearing pants or shorts anymore-only dresses and skirts.

Little paleontologist

The appointments went well on Wednesday and on Thursday we all participated in research (I was a 'control' subject). We did blood draws, skin biopsies and muscle biopsies. I won't give more details other the photo below features a Bergstrom needle (top), which was inserted a few inches into our quad to retrieve muscle samples. It was fascinating.

NY Road Trip Part 2: Buffalo

We stayed 2 nights in Buffalo. The real reason for going there was to drive to the Canadian side of Niagara falls. We got to our apartment on Sunday night and woke up on Monday for a day packed with fun:

Walking from the parking lot to see Niagara falls

June was really excited about the waterfalls (behind her are American Falls, left, and Bridal Veil Falls, small one on R)

Horseshoe Falls

Since I went on a trip to Iguacu Falls with mom a few years back, I figured this would be slightly disappointing. Boy was I wrong. I though it was absolutely gorgeous! 

Hanging out on the grass after lunch at a restaurant overlooking the falls.

The highlight of the trip for June was visiting the Olcott Beach Carousel Park. I stumbled upon this gem when I saw a photo of it in a local magazine. We drove from the falls through little towns until we got to Olcott, on the southern shore of Lake Ontario. It was a cute little town, and the Carousel Park was amazing!! It has 6 restored rides (from 1920-1950's) and is run by volunteers. Each ride / game costs 25 cents, and riders must be shorter than 52". This place was heaven for June. She woke up from her nap as we pulled up so it took her a little while to warm up. Then it was "Let's go on another one!!!"  

She even had fun on the ferris wheel - it went really high so I was worried she'd be nervous. Nope. Especially because she shared her cart with Braden.

June made another friend, Michaela, there. They went on several rides together. I think Michaela would have gladly taken June home :), and June was SO happy to play with her.

NY Road Trip Part 1: Palmyra

We left New York on Thursday night and stayed in a little hotel 2 hours into the drive (to break it up and have a pizza/pool party for June). Friday morning we went to Fayette and Palmyra to enjoy the sites:

Peter Whitmer Sr. Home

June LOVES taking care of Anson

Activities at the great visitors center there

With Nana (Curt's mom). June loves cracking silly faces for photos. 

Nana bought June a mini Cinderella tea set on our trip. June looked forward to a tea party every night of our trip. She poured, served cookies, etc. By the end she learned to be quite the polite host. 

Nana babysat so Curt and I could enjoy attending the Palmyra temple. It is very small and very beautiful. I particularly liked the stained glass windows. 

Afternoon nap. All 5 of us napped after June fell asleep

Ending the day at the Smith Family Log Home

Smith Family Frame Home

Cooper's shop

Walking to the Sacred Grove

Hill Cummorah visitors center and sites

The beard

Grandin Building (first publication of the Book of Mormon). This visitor center was amazing. I really, really enjoyed it.

Learning how to fold and bind books

The site houses several original paintings - very beautiful

Alvin Smith's grave