Barney Christmas party a night to renenber!

Rod and his siblings with Santa and his Mom!  His mom, Ilamae loved flirting with her good friend Santa!

Our granddaughter Carie Ann is not a fan of Santa!  Wow the Barney posterity has grown!

Barney's welcome home poster made by our granddaughter Claire

Our new grand baby celebrated her 1st birthday and enjoyed her very one cupcake to devour.

She had lots of help from brothers opening her gifts.  I think they had more fun than she did!  A great celebration!

Carrie Ann celebrates her first birthday in style with family

Carie welcomes cousin Judson with a welcome smile.  It was a perfect 1st birthday celebration.

Ethan coaches Carie on unwrapping technique.  Below Carie enjoys her birthday cake with gusto.  Happy Birthday to our precious granddaughter.  She is a miracle in our lives.  Happy Birthday!!!!

ALong journey home came to an end on Monday night .

Welcome home from our mission was the best !  Memories of Palmyra and those we left behind who have come to be a big part of our lives will always have a special part in our hearts.  This poster welcoming us home made by Lovedones will always bring fond memories of home and family, and those we left behind in Palmyra.

Lots of hug and kisses were shared, with tears galore because we have been so blessed with the best family and friends ever.

Liberty Jail visitor center in Liberty Missouri

The view through prison bars.

A very cold and miserable place that is referred to as the prison Temple because of the many revelations that were received here by the prophet Joseph Smith.  A sad time for the Prophet, but a place of much tutoring for him as well.

We should be home on Tuesday depending on the weather! Yea!

Thanksgiving dinner at the Barney's.

When it comes to a feast the Barneys get the award for perfection!

Welcome home poster made by our granddaughter Claire Barney.  Could not have been more excited to see everyone and get lots of hugs.  It feels like a dream, and I hope I don't wake up.  

Doing some Temple stops on the way home

This is the St. louis Temple in Missouri.  We attended this Temple tonight, and it was one of the most exquisitely decorated Temple I have ever visited!  The chandlers were breathtaking, and after cleaning the chandlers in the Palmyra Temple, This one would be undaunting to say the least!

This is the Kansas City Temple.  Another beautiful temple!

The last pictures of home in Palmyra as we set off for home and family and friends in Utah

The trailer is loaded to the top, with the bike attached to the side!   can't wait to go riding with the grandkids at home!

Fall colors to bid us goodbye from our home away from home.

These forget me not flowers are blooming in their prime before winter.  We will never forget this wonderful year in Palmyra, and the friends we have made!  A small part of them goes home in our hearts!  Saying goodbye brings tender feelings on both sides.    Homeward bound!  Homeward bound to loved ones waiting at home!  Can't wait for that reunion with them!!!

On our way home from an incredible year serving our Mission in the Palmyra Temple !

 The sky seemed to want us to go away with a sight to remember as we drove away from our apartment on Stafford Street, in Palmyra.  Before leaving we spent time in the Sacred Grove, which never seases to be an amazing experience.  This year went by so fast, but has changed our hearts forever.  

Our favorite memory will be the people we've met who have tucked their hearts in ours, and have come to this place and shared a part of their lives with us in ways we will never forget.  Heaven has been close as we have served this past year.  Heaven really is right where you are!

More pictures of a fun party !

Halloween fun Missionary style !

Halloween dinner with the gang.  Rod cooked his famous Corned beef and cabbage and the others brought potluck items to share!  To say the least it was a great gathering with laughter and fun!

The smiles never end on a night like .Halloween Party at the Smith Farm Basement with the fun!

A good time was had by all.  Rod is the host with the most food in one pot.

It doesn't get better than a room full of friends on Halloween night in the Missionfield.

The sky was an amazing sight as well.  This couldn't be a better night or party with a room filled with wonderful Missionary friends!   Happy Halloween!

Saying goodbye to our Niagara Falls

After church we enjoyed our last Sunday dinner with the Niagara Falls Missionaries, fed by Debbie Targon each month with a delicious meal every time!  We bring the icecream most times, and help out with dinner when we can.  It is a great time for us to get to know each other, and share some fun together.  

After our dinner the Missionaries wrote notes on balloons requesting Heaven to let us stay longer!  We got a good laugh and gave goodbye wishes to everyone!  We will never forget this ward that made us feel like family.  We will take these memories home in our heart!

Fall day at Watkins Glen

A day spent at Watkins Glen by Senica Lake in the fall is a must!  We talked our new Missionary Neighbors, Kent and Carol Haulk into going with us for the day trip.  It was fun getting to know them and sharing a perfectly beautiful day to see the sights.

The colors at the gorge are the best!

Rod leads the way, while I bring up the rear with pictures to remember the day with,and share with friends and family on our blog.

Rod is trying out for the role of Tarzan of Watkins Glen!  The day was amazing and we finished it off with Lunch on Sennica Lake.  The fish was outstanding, and the apple crisp was heavenly.  a perfect day for Everyone!

An iron pot donated to Smith farm by President Paces for rendering maple syrup.

This 200 lb pot was donated to the Smith Farm sight in Palmyra by President Pace.  It will be perfect to restore because it only needs to get some rust burned out to put it in working order for the Smith farm.

The project management team arrived to welcome their new project.  We were happy to see the forklift show up to help get the pot out and on its way.  Mission accomplished.

Buffalo Naval Base outing withour Missionaries !This outing brought backwho have served in our group.

we loved this tour and know what it is like in the inside of this ship!  pretty amazing ship where every knook and cranny is used to the max!

Ships have come a long way from the past!  Below is the Sullivan Brothers who were all killed in battle.  

Keep Smiling Rod!  It looks good on you!

This ones for the horse lovers in our family!

Couldn't pass this one up on the way home to Palmyra just off the freeway.  Not too bad for the countryside in New York!  This one is for the horse lovers in our family.  Horsing around in New York!

Fall drive through the country along Canandaigua lake.

This picture reminds me of the poem by the poet Robert Frost, "The road less traveled ".  It is one of my favorite, and we learned it in HS Choir.

Hard to beat the fall colors.

The road to Monica's Pies,where any pie is fabulous, and worth the hour drive.

We have arrived and ring the doorbell for service!  This is a must stop!

Rod's favorite is purple grape pie, and their Chicken-pot pie.  Worth the wait!  And worth the drive.