Fisher Family Reunion--Peter Whitmer Farm (day 3)

Tuesday morning we packed up again and headed 5 hours to the Peter Whitmer farm in Fayette, New York where the church was organized on April 6, 1830.

After a picnic lunch we headed inside to the beautiful visitors center.

This was one of my favorite stops.  We first watched a (brand new) film about the Whitmer family and their role in the history of the church.  Their family witnessed and received miracles in the connection with the work of restoring the gospel.  I just keep thinking about the role that families and homes played in the restoration.  The Whitmers in particular were a special family.  Joseph and Oliver were able to complete the translation of the Book of Mormon at the Whitmer home.  

Six members of the Whitmer family were witnesses to the Book of Mormon.  And, as far as we know, Mary Whitmer was the only woman who was shown the plates.  It was in this room that the church was reorganized.

After the tour we let the kids play some games outside for a little bit.

Then we spent quite a bit of time in the visitors center.  There were so many interactive displays!  While we were there I ran into my friend, Tricia, from my freshman year at BYU!  It was so fun to see her even if it was just a few minutes.

We rented a house for the next few days.  After unloading we made a quick run to Costco and Trader Joe's to get what we needed for the week (and grab pizzas for dinner).  Jacob found this awesome phone booth.

After the kids were asleep every night the adults chatted and ate ice cream.  Every single time Rachelle scooped up another spoonful Thomas would get wide-eyed and excited as if in hopes that she would share.  But she was a mean mom and denied him.  It was so stinking funny.

FISHER FAMILY REUNION 2009

I have a family tree

With branches by the dozens.

I have grandpas. I have grandmas.

I have uncles, aunts and cousins.

When it's reunion time,

No matter what the weather,

It is such a happy day

When the family gets together.

Every four years my dad's family has a reunion in Colorado. And since we wouldn't miss it for the world, we packed up the van and headed north.The boys did pretty good in the car. We did learn however that we need to take more time for breaks...

They loved staying in a hotel. Swimming pools, jumping on the bed, fresh baked cookies--can it get any better than that? But William kept asking when we were going to get to our vacation. So we kept on going.

Here is the Ben and Marlene Fisher Family.

Sixty-two out of the sixty-seven family members were in attendance. (Two husbands who couldn't get off work, two missionaries, and one cousin who couldn't miss football practice.) Pretty awesome.

Every day we were free to do what we wanted... and there was plenty to do! Right across the road from our lodge was a park. We played there every day at least once.

We went miniature golfing with the kids. I like that Amy called it extreme mini golf! There was more throwing the ball than hitting it with a club.And we went with the adults too... I think that McCallin won--although we're not sure his score was completely accurate.

Rich went on a group hike to a glacier... and then he took the kids on a little hike as well. (I think he carried James and Olivia most of the way.) Isn't the scenery just beautiful?!

William did a fun nature craft with his Uncle Jacob and some of my younger cousins. (William just loved Jarom!)

We hung out with cousins. I don't know that Amy was too happy with Olivia being covered in dirt... but that's what happens when you only have boy cousins. They sure had fun together playing and making up songs.

There was fishing. (There's always fishing.) Despite the evidence to the contrary, I think the boys had a good time.

Of course, everyone wanted to hold the newest baby... because he is so adorable.

We even were able to go rock climbing. I was a little nervous about trying the hard wall... but after doing the easy wall I thought I'd give it a whirl. I got to the top! Pretty good for a gal who had a c-section just 2 months prior!

And it just wouldn't be right to get together and not have ice cream.

Then, after dinner every night, we all gathered together and had family night where we would learn more about each other and our ancestors. One night we got to watch some home videos from when my dad was a little kid. Fun!

Of course, some of us were so exhausted we didn't always make it to family night...

Once the kids were in bed we would gather back to the conference room to visit, play games and drink our confiscated chocolate milk. Seriously, so good. We stayed up way too late every night--but we sure had a good time.

We love these reunions! We can't wait until 2013!

texas getaway

This past week, Rich and I were able to get away for a few days. Rich had a work conference in Dallas so I tagged along. (Rich's parents were nice enough to watch the kids!) We stayed in the nicest hotel!We walked around so much that we were sore by the end of two days! I didn't think I was that out of shape! They had little train tracks all over the place, a river walk, waterfalls, and all sorts of fun things.

Rich had to work a booth... so I helped him "pretty it up" a bit.

And next to his booth was the Express Clydesdale's booth. Everyone wanted to get a picture with this beautiful horse! (All night I kept waiting for it to make a mess on the floor... but it never did. Nice!)

Roy Williams (Dallas Cowboys safety and former player at OU) was there signing autographs as well.Let me tell you--he was the nicest guy! Rich was super excited and got autographs for himself, the boys, and a few others.

Mike Huckabee spoke at the prayer breakfast on Thursday morning. It was a great speech. Rich had to help with the book signing afterward so I got to meet him.

Thursday night was the big concert... Leann Rimes got sick so Jessica Simpson performed. I've never been a big fan of hers, but she wasn't too bad live. And her band was great!

In addition to all that fun stuff, I got to relax while Rich worked. I took a nap, labeled some pictures, read a book, and wandered around the hotel. It was very nice! Plus I got to take advantage of all the great food that they served! Rich and I were able to escape to the outlet mall nearby and Ikea on the way home. (Ikea = lots of walking = even more soreness!)

The boys didn't seem to miss us at all... when we walked in they just kind of looked at us and went back to what they were doing. At least we know they'll be okay when the baby is born!

friends and family

The best thing about going back to Corona is seeing friends and family. This trip I was able to see more than usual thanks to Jacob's baptism and a friend's wedding reception. My Grandma Fisher was able to fly down for the baptism. I haven't seen her in years and this is the first chance she's had to meet James (who is named after my Grandpa Fisher).

4 generations: Dad, Grandma Fisher, Jeanine, James and William

I also got the chance to see my cousins (and meet 2 of them--Aaron and Rainer--for the first time). I am the oldest grandchild on my mom's side and so most of the little cousins don't really know me.

Allred cousins: Elise, Rainer, Amanda, Aaron, Jacob, Mason, James, Jeanine, William, and Rachelle

The Monday before we left I met Melissa at the park for a play date. Melissa and I have known each other since 3rd grade. It was fun to meet her two kids who are absolutely adorable!

Melissa, Kirra, and Jeanine

And of course, I love seeing my own family!

Dad, Mom, William, Jeanine, James and Jacob

Elise, Rachelle, James and Jeanine (we missed you Amy!)

Rachelle and I had fun staying up way too late talking, studying, and shopping.

Elise and Austin were able to come down as well.

William couldn't wait for Austin to get there so they could play beanbag fight. (Side note: Beanbag fight is a favorite past time at the Fisher house... at least since Jacob was born. Jacob sits on the stairs with whoever is on his team and the opposition stands a ways back at the bottom. They then pelt each other with bean bags. It gets violent.) They also had fun playing basketball.

James had a great time with Elise climbing the rock wall,on the zip line, and playing basketball.

And James loves all things noisy. Every day when he woke up from his nap he would go straight to the closet that houses the vacuum and convince my mom to vacuum with him. He also knew where she kept anything noisy... the vitamix, the can opener, the mixer, etc.

My dad has a ram's horn and James loved to hear him blow into it. He'd go into the study during the day and just point up to it trying to get Grandpa to make some noise with it.

He also loved to tickle the ivories.

We loved coming to visit and see everyone. We can't wait to see you again!

little travelers

My boys are such great travelers. I was a little worried about traveling by myself with both of them but they were so good. Both there and back they slept on our longer flight (OKC to Phoenix) and watched shows from Phoenix to Ontario.James did have a little bit of a hard time on the way home but only because he was tired... and he fell asleep within 15 minutes of take-off. I was especially lucky that I saw a friend on our layover in Phoenix so I was able to leave our stuff with her while we went to the bathroom, etc. instead of lugging it all in there with us. Thanks Charly!