Autumn in Pennsylvania

 We love visiting with Tricia and McKay's family during the autumn season.  It is so beautiful there especially when the leaves start changing.  We were especially happy to be there on Oct. 1 to witness Cameron being ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood.  Their bishop came to their home to direct this sacred ordination.  Congratulations, Cameron.  We are so pleased that you are willing to become one of God's chosen servants.

 Tricia took us on a lovely walk in the rain the next day while the kids were at school.  There are lots of fascinating old trails and buildings.  We didn't even mind the rain.

 Saturday prior to the beginning of General Conference, McKay took us to the local farmer's market.  It was indoors and much more than farm produce although it had that too.

 We bought some local berries and then stopped by the donut shop too.  Steve used to call himself "The Donut Man" back in the days of the CB radio exchanges.  Both he and McKay love a good donut.

 On Sunday between Conference sessions, we enjoyed a walk in the nearby park.  It was beautiful but mostly green and the leaf display is a week or two away in this area.

 One day Tricia took us over to Nazareth to the Martin Guitar Company.  They have been making guitars there since the mid-1800's.  It was a fascinating tour and very interesting to watch them handcrafting those beautiful instruments.

 We went to the store afterwards to swoon over the guitars.  If you ever want an amazing guitar, they sell the Martin's there for 40% off.  Tricia plays the guitar so hopefully some day, she can own a Martin.

 One day, Tricia graciously arranged her schedule so that we could borrow her car for the day to drive up to Harmony and visit the new LDS visitor's center.  We saw a lot more colorful fall foliage on our drive north.

 Here is the reconstructed home of Emma's parents, the Hales.

 This is the home where Joseph and Emma stayed most of the time they lived there.  A lot of the translation of the Book of Mormon took place in this little home. This is also where their first baby was born and died the same day.  It was a time of much heartache and sadness for Joseph and Emma as Martin Harris had lost the initial 116 pages of the translation around this same time.

 Here is the beautiful Susquehanna River near the place where the Aaronic Priesthood was restored and Joseph and Oliver were baptized.

 Steve helped McKay replace a dead tree in his yard.  We really didn't do much in the way of projects or helping out.  We felt kind of lazy this trip.

 McKay put in a really nice tree which helps to create some privacy for their patio area.

 Another day Tricia took us to a local ski resort.  They host a lot of meetings, parties and weddings during the off season.  It was a quiet, scenic place.  We enjoyed walking throughout the area and had a very nice lunch at a restaurant there.

 I didn't like feeling my age when Tricia and I each tried this swing.  She had no problem climbing in and enjoying the swing.  I was not so fortunate.  I expected myself to be much more limber and agile.

 In between our outings, Tricia managed to make a nice batch of delicious homemade bread filled with lots of seeds and healthy stuff.  It was amazing.  We loved it!  Thanks, Tricia!

 I was able to do a little sewing project to extend the curtains on their entry side windows.  It made me feel a little better about accomplishing something during our stay.

 On Thursday, we joined McKay for a trip into the big city, New York.  He need to tape a video presentation in a studio there.  He walked us around for awhile and got us to the Metropolitan Museum of Art which we had never seen before.   We looked at art while he did his video interview. Carnegie Deli was closed for remodeling so we didn't get to eat there.

 We enjoyed walking through parts of Central Park also.  It is huge.  Our feet felt like we had walked for miles and we just touched a corner of the park.

 Here is the museum of art.  We are trying to figure our way around.  It is huge also.

 We got to see some amazing art and were astonished at other displays.  This one with hangers made us laugh.  We felt like we could have done something like that.  What are we missing?

 After the taping, we met McKay for a nice Italian dinner and then we walked around Time Square a bit.

 We are on this jumbotron near the top.  Can you find us?

 We loved hearing the kids practice their music.  We watched Thomas at one of his soccer practices.

 We drove out to Grimm's Farm to pick pumpkins and apples twice.  The first time, it was closed because of rain.  The second time, they were in the process of closing it for rain but we managed to purchase some apple cider donuts and apple cider slushies.  It poured so hard that the rain on the metal roof made it difficult to talk.  After waiting a while for it to let up, we finally just ran for the car and were literally soaking wet.  So much for the pumpkin patch and apple picking this visit.  Darn!

 We were glad to get back to their nice dry home and sit around the fireplace to warm up.  Thanks to McKay's family for a fun visit.  You are all awesome!