Well, it's been nearly 3 months since I last updated this blog. It has been a very busy time here in NY. We had pageant time here so that is full of neat things to see as preparations are made. Tons of people all over the place and we hustle from job to job. Tried to take pictures of the progress but it has to be seen to really appreciate. We enjoyed it all and it was fun to be here and be part of it all.
One of the first things that is done at Pageant is that the workers begin to come in and pull out all the big trailers that sit behind our facilities full of equipment. They use the big tractor and pull them over to the large parking area out by the Hill Cumorah. The very first trailer being pulled had a mishap. The driver cut the corner too sharp and hit one of the big parking lights near the visitors center. The whole thing came down and the plant hanger was twisted to a pretzel. Bill decided he could fix it, which I doubted considering it's shape. I lost that bet. It pains me to admit but it looked really good and once the pole was put back up it looked great. Good job Bill and Elder Nalder seen above hammering it out. By the way, his fixing it probably saved about $300. Good job Bill!
This was the start of the stage construction. About 27 young men ages 17-20 about, apply and come spend a month here doing all this work. It is amazing how fast it all goes up especially considering how much stuff it is. They all work very hard all day long rain or shine. I am sure they have a great time with each other too.
A view looking from the bottom of the hill up towards the top.
After only a few days this is the view from the top looking down.
These huge light towers are stored behind the facilities where we work. A giant crane is rented and comes in and first pulls them all from out back. There are about 20 of them. Then they are put up. The young men eventually work the lighting during the pageant. All the lights are on the ground in the foreground.
Bill in his glory working the tractor. Can't remember what he was using it for but it doesn't matter. He would love any excuse to get behind the wheel.
My brother Rick and his wife Sandy were able to come to NY for a visit in June. He has been so sick we didn't think he would ever be able to travel this way again so it was a wonderful thing to have him make it. He had wanted to get something special for Sandy so with the help of family purchased a beautiful necklace with his birthstone in it. He just wanted to thank her for her love and support over the past couple of years. It was very touching and you can see she was crying as my mother put it around her neck. He was so happy to do this. Sadly, Rick died July 20th after a long illness. We traveled to Minnesota for his services. We were so fortunate to be able to see him again.
We had so much fun having our kids visit us here over the summer. Sarah came in May, then Anna came in June and overlapped with Ben for a few days at the end of June. It was wonderful to see them all. Definitely a highlight of our mission. Little Brooklyn and Grayson were perfect little buddies. They were looking at the pond together.
Our little Adaline enjoying a little party we threw to celebrate Landon's birthday.
Stratton giving Eli a bit of shaved ice. Not sure he liked it. I think he was trying to figure out what it was.
My brother Mike and Mom just chillin'
The last picture we will ever have of the four of us kids. Me, Mike, Rick and Lynn.
Had our wonderful spouses join us.
Then we threw mom in for good measure. I really like this picture.
It's a little dark but had to have one of Anna and her gang with grandma.
Four generations of girls. Anna, Grandma, Me, and Adaline.
Our little birthday party for Landon.
Me and Eli.
The overlap days may have been a bit hectic but it was sure nice for us to have them all here. Ben and Anna's fantastic families.
Rick and Sandy trying to catch a little rest. Thought this was a cute picture.
You can barely see it but just over the fence a deer is peaking out at me. Every time I go over to the Smith farm I watch for deer. I never see any even though it would seem like the perfect serene place to see them. Finally one day as I was driving the golf cart back near the grove, this deer walked right in front of me and effortlessly jumped over the fence. She stood there looking at me just like I was looking at her. I never tire of seeing deer.
Everything finally set up for Pageant. Here is a view from the top of the hill down towards the seating. It was very exciting to see it come together. They had all those chairs set up in a few hours. The cast and crew set them up and take them down at the end.
It can be a bit stressful for the FM group at pageant time. Just for kicks our boss John outfitted his golf cart with a wishful thinking theme. Notice even the score card clipped to the steering wheel.
We get to know the site missionary couples a bit as we travel around making repairs to all the buildings. Over the last year Elder and Sister Draper became our favorites. We just love them. They had to leave their mission a little early unfortunately. We hung out with them occasionally and went to dinner a few times. They are the sweetest couple and we hope to keep our friendship in the years ahead.
The above two pictures were taken during the Pageant. It's dark out so the pictures aren't great but I wanted to remember how awesome it was. The top picture is of the whole cast when they first come out. The second one is the scene when Nephi finishes the boat to sail to the promised land. I think it is so clever how they did that.
We had another wonderful visit from Faith and Tom at the end of July. We were out cruising one day and ran across this old school house. Just had to take a picture. It is from 1874 and has been beautifully maintained.
Tom and Faith in front of the school house.
Near by is a farm with some interesting animals. Here is a Llama as interested in me as I was in him.
This beast looks like a yak but it might be a Beefalo. Not sure but it is a very hairy cow.
In August there is an antique boat show in Clayton NY. It's in thousand islands which is a beautiful area of northern NY. We got permission from our Mission President as it is out of our mission and off we went. A terrific drive. We had a lovely day. The boats were amazing and got the added bonus of seeing these Osprey.
Bill was taking it all in and I am sure wishing he owned one of these babies. There were a lot of boats here and there is a nice boating museum also. We really enjoyed the day.
Bill's 88 year old cousin Charlie still insists on cutting and splitting and stacking his own wood for the winter. I myself think he needs his head examined. Bill volunteered us (ugh) to help out. I would have rather donated to the fuel fund but alas, we spent 2 days splitting all this wood.
I ran the splitter and nearly poisoned myself with carbon monoxide fumes. We got it all split but it still needs to be stacked. I guess we will be going back when the weather cools a bit and do that task.
Charlie also used this little electric splitter.
This mound is probably 15 cord of wood.
Taking a short break. Charlie and Bill.
Before we got there Charlie had already done all of this by himself. Remember people, he is 88 years old.
It's not ALL work though....
One of our most recent jobs has been to rake this entire gravel road. We had to rake the edges back away from the grass towards the center. If it looks endless that's because it IS. It took us many days to complete this job. I have to admit it looked real good by the time we finished. The only good news it that we will never have to do that job again.
Bill, taking a rake leaning break. We needed lots of those. Most days we could only work a few hours because it was very hot.
Actually, along with the rake leaning Bill was watching this farmer load up hay bales in the field next to us. It was fun to watch. Farmers fascinate me and tractors are Bills love so it was a nice break.
A few days ago this sister was with 3 friends at the visitors center. Elder Nalder and Sister Nalder (below) were there doing some work and stopped to chat with them. They asked the 4 sisters where they were from. When one said she was from GA Elder Nalder told her one of the FM couples was from there too. When he elaborated the sister said, I know the Nagels! We were able to hook up at the temple and had a wonderful visit with Brother and Sister Haymore. How fun!
This potato came out of the garden Sister Nalder attends to at the log home of the Smith farm. It was huge and looked like a Mickey mouse potato. We are going it eat it this week. They gave it to us.
One of the service Elders (Elder Wright) helped us with the raking one day. He was a big help and a very hard worker. I enjoyed getting to know him a bit as we worked together.
To our great surprise and joy on a day we were working at the endless raking, Bill was driving the golf cart past the log home and just as he was passing the front door out comes Fitz and Geisla Wood. We have known the Woods for 30 years. We were in the same ward for much of that time and it was wonderful to see them. They were here to attend the wedding and sealing of their grandson Joseph. He is the son of their son Bobby who I taught in Seminary when he was in high school. I just loved Bobby. We arranged to meet up at the temple later in the morning after the sealing.
Bobby Wood and his wife at the temple. How fun to see him. I haven't seen him in nearly 20 years. I would know him anywhere. His son only looked like a 12 year old. Wanted to see his ID. What a wonderful gift to see them all. Sure made our day and made the raking so much easier.
I told you it was a summer of great visits. We also had a visit from Brother and Sister Smith from the Kennesaw Mountain Ward. I worked with Pat in the Family history library and just love her. She is so fun and we really hit it off from the start. She and her husband and daughter's family (the Bobo's) were up in NY to do some sight seeing. They took time to see us and we enjoyed dinner together before they headed to Niagara Falls.
Well, that's all I have for now. Hopefully you have enjoyed the update. Never know when the next one will appear.
