The Barnhurst Family: June 2010

Before my junior year in High School my parents were called to serve a mission in Rochester New York. My younger sister, Lizzie, and I moved into the mission home with my parents and finished off High School. I have wanted to go back for so long but have never had the chance! Finally this past weekend Dan decided we would make it happen. I was able to meet up with a really good friend, see all the church sites, and visit my old home. It was a great trip.

The Hill Cummorah

This is how Abby took in the sites...

Smith Log Home

The Sacred Grove

Smith Frame Home

All of the sister missionaries who gave us our tours were great! At the Frame Home Sis. Maples let the kids touch the original walls. We also saw a spinning wheel at which Tess quickly told Sis. Maples not to touch the "pointy" part or she will fall asleep! (Sleeping Beauty!)

Jacob was very interested in the box that Joseph Smith hid the plates in when the mob came.

It is a replica.

The Barn

Grandin Building: Book of Mormon Publication Site

Through out this tour Tess would raise her hand when the sister asked if anyone had any questions and ask "um, how'd they do that" And the sister had just explained how they did that! Love my little girl!

Peter Whitmer Farm

Elder Kinghorn greeted us at the door of the visitor center. He loved Tess's hair (as most do). He was so cute with Tess. asking why he didn't get any of her pretty red hair. The day after we met him we saw him again at the Smith Farm and he called out to Tess by name and once again asked for some of her hair...Tess got the biggest kick out of this sweet man remembering her name and took his request quite literally. Too cute!

Sister Ahokava really enjoyed Jake, and he loved the individual attention. He listened so intently, better than the rest of us!

The Palmyra Temple (view from the Smith Farm)

This temple is so very special to me!

I was able to talk with the current mission presidents wife, Sister Hemingway, and set up a time to see our house before church on Sunday. We had a little time to kill and so we headed over to good ol Brighton High School.

1/3 of the building

Mission Home 657 Winton Rd

The next set of pictures are for my families enjoyment! The only big changes were the bathrooms upstairs and they changed the "sisters" room upstairs to a laundry room ... everything else is the same. President and Sister Hemingway were so sweet! It was so fun to look around and remember.

I loved playing on this baby grand piano! When we lived there it was in the front of the room with much better lighting.

One of the two rooms for the Elders (same flannel bedding)

Mom's office

Lizzie and my "escape" room.

Lizzie's Room (same bedding)

General Authority room (sorry it's blurry)

My Room

Lizzie and I had fun sleeping in both of our beds.

I couldn't make it to New York without stopping at Wegmans. This store was just as amazing as I remembered. Dan was in awe. Anything you want to eat they have!!! The kids loved the "cantaloupe" lady and her samples!

We returned on Monday and went hog wild and bought canolis, donuts, raisin nut bread, bagels, soda and an assortment of olives just for Dan! Dan enjoyed eating all of the food mentioned above. (He can eat anything! I wish I had his stomach!)

I had to take a picture of the flower section (just for mom). I have fond memories of helping mom pick out and arrange flowers from here to go in the mission home. We always had fresh flowers on the tables.

We were there for the train not the beer! The kids LOVED this train and chased it through the kosher food section and the beer section! I think they should move the train back to the candy section where it was last time I was here!

As we were getting ready to leave for home Jake said he didn't want to be in the back seat all by himself. He told me he would take care of the girls! So, we put his seat on the 8th seat. Sure enough, he was great entertainment for the girls and the 6 hour drive was pretty pleasant. Thanks Jake! (At one point Tess did have to say " Jake, Don't do this, don't you understand, we'll get separated! It's our only hope!" to which Dan and I LAUGHED as quietly as possible.)