Michigan

On September 27, Katherine and I flew to Michigan so we could play with Grace, Isaac, Matthew and Lily. We had so much fun! We went on long walks, rode bikes, played games, and listened to General Conference.
On Thursday, we drove to Kirtland, Ohio for a tour of Church History Sites.
Inside the ashery at Kirtland, Grace tries on the large gloves that are used to stir the large kettles where the ashes are heated to make potash.

In front of the Newell K. Whitney Store.

This is an amazing picture of the Kirtland Temple. The temple is not so amazing as Matthew running full speed, and a little off balance as he usually does.

The John Johnson farm, in Hiram, Ohio, about thirty miles southeast of Kirtland, was very elaborately decorated. The woodwork was painted in this scandinavian style. John Johnson was a wealthy farmer who, after he joined the church, sold his farm and gave the money to the church to purchase ground for the temple, and the saints. Joseph and Emma lived here for a while, and several revalations were received here, including section 76.

One afternoon, Isaac pulled the wooden train pieces out of the box, and began piecing them together. He slowly worked until he had used every piece, and had created this elaborate train track.

On rainy Saturday morning, we drove to an apple orchard,where you can pick your own apples. We were given two large plastic bags which each hold a half-bushel. When we arrived at the orchard, the rain had just stopped. We were carried in a tractor-pulled wagon the the apple-picking area.

Before picking any apples,we had to do a taste test to see wish ones were the juiciest and sweetest. They were all good. Michigan apples are the best.

Isaac did a great job picking apples.

Grace is a great apple picker too!

Here theNeuenschawander Family is shown with their bags almost half full.

After a cold, rainy apple picking experience, hot apple cider and donuts sure tasted good!

The Neuenschwander Family on the day of Lily's blessing.

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkids on the day of Lily's blessing.

Grace played her Book 1 recital while we were there. She is a very good violinist, and has excellent tone.

Above is the cast from the Family Night Production of
Daniel in the Lion's Den. Matthew is the Lion.
Isaac is Daniel, and Grace is King Darius.
Laurissa is the narrator.

Isaac is amazing. Here he is playing a game of Monopoly with himself. He counts out the money, pays rents when he lands on a space, and reads the Chance and Community Chest cards. I played him a game, and he beat me soundly.