New York City

Milford Plaza-Wednesday, July 22, 2009

So we have this yellow comp book that is like our travel journal and each of us have written silly things in, kind of fun. So here is Annie's entry... They are random thoughts about things that have happened or silly things said;

"Looks 1920's good"- Brittany (lobby Hotel)

"Dust bunnies in the corner, don't put my face in there!" - Sandra (Rachel attacking Sandra)

"Don't get dead." - Annie (while crossing the streets here in New York)

Irritating sounds from "Stomp", calling Ana Bergeron on the phone and doing our own rendition.

Boob talk, Butt talk, who's regular- a never ending joke.

Slept in till 11:20 on Tuesday -- Annie's friend from Times Square-->

Sandra talking in her sleep- "Those aren't the right documents!"

Annie covering her face with a pillow to sleep

Moving/uncomfortable beds squishy beds.

Empire State building @ night - AMAZING VIEW

Rachel totally diggin Toys R Us- taking pictures of the Dinosaur (T-Rex)

Tickets for Phantom of the Opera! :)

My feet (Annie) hurt so bad. I wanted to just lay down in the street.

Obama Condoms- for free!

Naked Cow girl (old lady playing the guitar in her underwear) Running cause she didnt want her picture taken, but she walks the streets in her leather under clothes.

Rachel and Lion King References

Breakfast @ Eva's and Pablo's (wednesday morning, 9am in the Bronx) strawberries, pancakes, eggs.

the Bergeron's arrived.

Tickets for STOMP!! (July 21)

Monday night July 20-Dinner at Hard Rock with eva, Annie got called out on the floor with a glass of Ice Cream, stood on the chair and the whole restaurant wished me Happy Birthday! The guy thought I was 17 yrs old.

Been having a great time

Sandra and Brittany were crazy this morning-very cheerful and goofy. It takes me (Annie) a while to wake up.

It rained yesterday (tuesday)- went to the Metropoliton Museum, saw great stuff, Asian stuff.

Got lost somewhat in Central Park. It rained most of the day yesterday! Today was sun shiney- lovely.

That's all I've got to Remember right now.

-Annie Larsen-

Niagara Falls

Day 2 continued, Niagara Falls, New York, Monday, July 19, 2009

Wow, what a beautiful place. Not as wow as the Foz do Iguacu, but wow. It sure was breath taking. We walked around a bit and saw from all sides of the falls, but not the Canada side. We did wave for Matt though. After seeing the top portion of the falls we decided to enjoy God's creation even more an take a boat ride, called the Made of the Mist. They handed us ponchos because we would get really wet...and that we did. The boat takes you right up to the falls. Wow. It was beautiful, a little overwhelming. After the ride was over, Britt thought it would be good idea to walk the path up to the falls. LOL. It was light a massive overload of water, it was in your nose and in your mouth. Everytime you took a breath you inhaled water. Annie stayed below and took some pics. As you can see I am attempting to wave, but the water mixed with wind was very powerful. It was really a lot of fun but we got really wet. Thank goodness for the ponchos! After that fun, we walked to Goat Island, took a couple pics and saw the falls from a different angle. It was just so beautiful. We then decided we had better head back because we would have a long day on Monday, since we would be driving from Rochester, New York, to New York City. About a 6 hour drive. We all are excited to get to the city and see things there.

We left the falls and headed back to the hotel in Victor, New York. We decided it would be wise to stay in. We ordered Pizza from Pontinellos. That pizza was soooo yummy. Good stuff. Sandra and Annie went to pick up the pizza and Sandra hit herself in the face with a book. Annie laughed a bit and Sandra said she almost crashed them because of laughter. Annie came back to account the story, we laughed. Then things got even better. Brittany decided it would be fun to irritate Annie, and for the record she was warned before hand. Brittany was teasing Annie to the point where Annie said, "I feel like I might want to brake your fingers". Things got more interesting. Brittany was poking Annie, while Annie was trying to count her money. Annie gave Britt a love tap on the arm (an actual punch). Brittany decided for continue for some reason and Annie went to the bathroom. Brittany learned to stop when someone says stop. It was a funny thing, it made everyone laugh for a moment. It was time for bed and I just couldn't sleep. Sandra and I got in this laughing mood. Poor Annie, she was so tired, she put in the ear plugs and a pillow over the head. I just couldn't sleep. I had a thought and said out loud that I should go for a walk, Sandra was up for it, and then reminded what happens to girls like us in small towns. Sandra said, what we will people go missing. I said haven't you heard what happens in small towns in Victor, New York? Lol. kidding, but we thought it would be smart to stay inside. We finally fell asleep.

Monday, July 20, 2009-Left Rochester, NY and heading to NY, NY

So Annie and I got up early and returned the poop car and pick up the other car we used to drive into New York City. We stopped at Target for some road snacks and then went to Palmyra for a couple last minute things, like to see the 4 churches and then to the cemetary to see Alvin Smith's grave, son of Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mac. Joseph Smith's oldest brother. We also stopped at Martin Harris's Farm. Then we were off. We began our road trip to the city. We had fun, took at few pics of Sandra sleeping, Brittany singing to good old MJ (that was so fun). Good times. Annie drove the whole way. We finally got to the city. We were all done being in the car. We took the car back to the airport and a shuttle into our hotel. We are staying at the Milford on 45th and 8th street, right around the corner from Lion King, Phantom and Time Square. Great location. The hotel room is okay, bed is a little rough, but shower sure does feel good. We got settled in and then went to Hard Rock to eat some dinner. It was fun to see Annie and Sandra's face as they stood on Time Square. It was a cool moment. We went to Hard Rock and had yummy food. That place really is a lot of fun. We told them it was Annie's birthday and so they brought her out an ice cream. The guy called her out and made her stand on a chair, he asked how old she was, "32", he didn't believe her, he thought she was 17 yrs old. So the whole restaurant cheered and said, "Happy Birthday". It was fun. After Hard Rock, we walked to Grand Central Station and saw that, then walked to Empire State Building. We got there at about 10pm and was amazing. We took the elevator up 80 floors and then walked another 6 flights of stairs. The view was incredible. The city was glowing with lights and you could see the Statue of Liberty. We were there a bit and then thought we would go back to the hotel and rest. It was mid-night. It was a long day. We all fell right asleep.

Palmyra New York

Day 1 of New York Trip...

Rochester-New York-July 18, 2009

Sandra and I flew into Rochester New York (that is me there waiting for our plane to leave JFK to Rochester, its 6am), where Annie and Britt picked us up from the airport. We went back to the hotel and picked up Kristie and Larry Larsen. We all went and saw some of the church historic sites. The Book of Mormon printing shop, Sacred Grove, the statue of Moroni a the top of Hill Cumorah and we saw the Pageant.

I think that all of us were so caught up in emotions. It was the most amazing experience. As I looked at everyone in our group, they all seemed to be deep in thought and feeling. As we were driving to the Sacred Grove, I got a little choked up thinking about my excitement. Here are my thoughts and confirmation to the truth that I know and have testimony of...

I stood on hallowed grounds, a place where a prophet of God lived, a place where angels visited, a place where revelation was revealed, where the restoration took place but most of all, where God the Father and Jesus Christ came and spoke to the young boy Joseph. As I walked through the house of where Joseph Smith lived, I felt a peace in my heart. I saw where he slept, where he hid the Book of Mormon from the mobs of people. I saw where he defended and protected what we have today. After seeing his living headquarters, we walked toward the sacred grove it got so quiet. You could hear the birds singing and the thoughts kept coming to my mind; "I saw a pillar of light exactly above my head, above the brightness of the sun which descending gradually until it fell upon me. And when that light rested upon me, I saw two personages whose brightness and glory defy all description, one of them spake unto me pointing to the other saying, 'This is my Beloved Son, hear him' ". I know that this took place in this tender location. Also the words of "I Stand All Amazed" kept flooding my mind.

We had the opportunity to sit for a minute. I know that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the young boy Joseph and his prayer was answered. I know that through his faith and diligence the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to it's fullness. I am so grateful for this knowledge and for the opportunity to have this experience. I am grateful to know these things, I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who cares so much about needs. He knows us, and our hearts. We are his children. One day it would be an honor to meet Joseph and his wife Emma. To hear there experiences from there own mouths. After the Sacred Grove experience, we will the Hill Cumorah, the place where the plates were hidden. And then we saw the pageant. WOW. So powerful, so real, so true. Again, another witness to my own testimony that these things are true. How could anyone doubt this? The spirit was powerful and reconfirmed the truth I have been given.

Day 2- Palmyra - New York - July 19, 2009


So we went to church today in Palmyra right across from the Palmyra Temple. Wow. What a beautiful place. Sacrament meeting was packed, like stake conference. A lot of people were there from the pageant, and out of town visitors. Really cool. The spirit was strong. We stood to sing, The Spirit of God, at the end. Wow. Words can't even come close to describing those feelings. After sacrament meeting Annie, Sandra, Britt and I walked over to the temple and walked those grounds. Took some pictures and watch Sandra frolicked in the fields. Then we went back to the hotel and changed to head to see the Niagara Falls. WOW. Awe & Wonder!!. Not even close to the Foz do Iguacu, but it was beautiful, the creations of God.

More blogs of the trip to come. Off to bed to get ready for the drive to the city tomorrow, where we will be for the rest of our vacation. For more pictures check... www.flickr.com/photos/littleandeye