Dear Kids,
     Dad and I are still in Michigan, so this letter is a continuation of my travelogue from last week. Last time I wrote, we were in the library in Palmyra, and that night we watched the Hill Cumorah Pageant. There are protesters at the entrance, shouting into bullhorns, but the Church drowns them out with primary songs, played really loud. It’s great. The cast members walk around in their costumes for a couple of hours before the pageant starts, so you can meet them and see their costumes close-up. King Noah and his wicked priests were wearing extravagant Mayan headdresses, and Alma wore a mushroom-shaped turban. Next year the McGettigans are planning to come to New York and be in the pageant, and I could just picture their kids walking around dressed up like little Nephites. Our favorite part of the pageant was she scene where Abinidi is burned with fire. It’s very realistic.
     The pageant only lasts an hour and 15 minutes (cut down from previous years) and we drove back to Buffalo that night. The next day we went to Niagara Falls. I can only say, there's a lot of water! Later on, we hung out at Amber and Cathy’s house. There was a rabbit in the front yard, and Charlie had lots of fun chasing him. We walked down the street to look at a cute little house that Cathy might buy. But she thinks it may be over priced, at $79,000. Most of the houses on the street are around $65,000, with some as low as 50. That night Amber and Cathy took us to eat Buffalo wings at the AnchorBar Restaurant, where they were invented. So if you ever wondered where buffalo wings got their name, it’s because, well, duh, they were invented in Buffalo. We ate a whole pile of them, and they were delicious.
     Now we’re back in Michigan, having more fun with Sharon and Seth and Charlie. Probably our best thing here was visiting the Henry Ford museum near Detroit. They have every possible kind of old car, along with bicycles, trains, and planes. You could spend several days in there. But there’s also Greenfield Village, outside, sort of like Pioneer Village at Lagoon, but lots bigger. It’s supposed to represent America in the early 1900's, so there are Model-T Fords driving around, people riding old-time bicycles, candy shops, workshops, village greens, and so much more! Dad’s top priority was riding in a Model T. I think he wanted to drive it himself, but he had to be content with asking the driver all about how it operated. Later on we watched an old-time baseball game, where they didn’t even have mitts! (I think they missed those fly balls on purpose.) And we walked through some of the workshops, where we watched glass blowing, pottery making, weaving, and old-time printing on those big old presses. We could have spent several days there, too. Sharon and Seth have “buddy passes” good for a year, so if any of you come to visit, they can take you there (both the museum and the village) for free! (This message is from Sharon.)
     Now, after all this fun, Dad and I have to fly home tonight. We have to face the real world again. Actually, I’m excited, because Tom and I are going to build a deck at the cabin, starting tomorrow. And here’s some exciting real-world news: Kim went to have .her ultrasound, and they’re having a girl! (Bentley slapped his forehead and said, “doh!” when they told him.) Hey, haven’t I been predicting a clean sweep of girls? Heather should be finding out next month, and Sharon soon after that.
     Life is so good! I love you all! Mom