i'd rather be driving a buggy

fall suddenly came this last week.  that makes my heart happy.

over labor day weekend, we decided to take a mini-vacation to kirtland.  fortunately we have a friend in med school at case western in cleveland who lives about 15 miles from kirtland.  that's really what made this trip possible. thanks, woolley's, for letting us stay with you!  

we took the long way to cleveland so we could go to heaven--aka amish country.  

did you know you can retire to amish country? 

hello there, gorgeous.  yes, i will retire to amish country with you, where you can eat heaven in the form of cheese or cookies...

and where we can sit on our porch in our giant rocking chair letting the time pass...

while the little critters run around on the lawn!

although, i don't know how much running that hog is going to do.

like i said, amish country = heaven.

we also couldn't go to cleveland without hitting up a lake erie beach

brennan is a lot like his dad in that he loves the water.  he could just stand there like that all day.

aren't god's creations beautiful?  (wink)

i loved kirtland and all the tours with it.  in my minds eye i could almost see joseph smith walking into the whitney store to meet "the man".   the whitney family did so much to help restore Christ's gospel to the earth--giving the prophet a place to live, providing food and space for the bishop's storehouse, and providing meals for everyone (not just the saints) in the community.  i've got to say, newel really was the man. 

did you know this temple has been on fire like 3 times?  yet somehow it still stands.

this looks like just a regular portable bathroom, right?

wrong!  when we were at the morley farm i had to use the facilities.  when i asked the missionary for directions she said, "just around the corner you'll find the fanciest port-a-potty you've ever seen, complete with classical music."

she wasn't kidding.  i don't know how many times i've peed with beethoven in the background.  i also don't know how many port-a-potties i've seen with real wood doors and floors.  

we also got to do a little hiking.  that will have to be a separate post cause there is just too much green goodness to share at once.  but have i convinced you all that you need to come visit us in ohio yet?!?