On an October Sunday after church we drove up to the Joseph Smith Birthplace in Vermont along with some of our friends from the ward. It was 2.5 hours there and 2.5 hours back so it was a lot of driving, but it was worth it. I hadn't been there in a long time and the boys had never been. It's a special place. It's part of our family history too, since we're distantly related to Joseph Smith through the same Mayflower ancestors. But the spiritual heritage and history are what matter the most, and you can definitely feel that there.
Children frolicking in the fall leaves, how enchanting 😄
The boys in front of the Howland Family Chart. Along with Joseph Smith they are also direct descendants of John Howland. He's the guy who fell off the Mayflower but was recovered and saved. Thank goodness!
This is the actual hearthstone that was in Joseph Smith's home when he was born.
My friend Jenny's daughter Eliza was so cute. I took a few pictures of her in different spots while we were there. I'm glad I have sons but sigh, to have a daughter!
Friends and families. And Joseph Smith!
This was the actual doorstep of the Smith house where Joseph was born.
Those are my feet. My dress was too long and I've since had it hemmed. 😁
It's cool how this marks the exact spot where the hearthstone was in the house--the same hearthstone that's a few pictures above.
Sweet Eliza
The monument for the birthplace
💖💖💖
Lily is one of Meredith's daughters, and she cracks me up. She reminds me of Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables.
We went for a nice walk in the woods to the site of one of the Smith family homes. I'd never been back there before so that was neat. There was a special feeling in these woods.
I think it's really neat that the foundation stones are still there over 200 years later!
Sam and Eliza's cute little brother, Mason. Along with a daughter (or two) I would have liked to have had a third son. (Am I being a bit of a creeper in this post!? Ha ha.)
Vermont is so beautiful, especially in the fall. And this is one of the most special places in the state (much less the world!). I'm so glad that we went there that day. I'm already looking forward to going again in the future!
