Brigham City Temple Open House

We have been excited about the Brigham City Temple since it was first announced a few years ago and have loved watching the construction of such a beautiful building. Garrett and Abby have loved just driving by and seeing the temple being built, so we were really excited for the opportunity to take them inside.

I'm not sure if the kids liked the temple or the bus ride more...

We had to wait in line for over two hours just to get inside, but it's all good because we had plenty of time to take pictures and tell jokes. :)

When we finally got inside, the kids could see the water fountain through the temple windows and could not get through the temple fast enough to get outside and play in it. They were a little disappointed when we reminded them that it wasn't a splash pad and they were in church clothes, but they survived. 

Garrett, our future etymologist, found a bug/butterfly of some sort to share with the group.

Behold the attempts at taking a cousin picture...

No, we did not plan their matching outfits. It just kind of happened.

And now, I will get sappy for a moment, if I may. I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple and the knowledge that my little family can be eternal if we try our hardest to live good lives. Our own mortality became very real to us a few years ago when Greg was sick. Up to that point, I had always been grateful for the temple, but I had not really comprehended what it meant to know we can be together forever. Throughout the hardest times, I always feel such a deep feeling of peace in knowing Heavenly Father loves us and has given us a plan to make sure we overcome all the trials of this life and be happy forever.

I'm so glad they're mine.

Going on a Frog Hunt...

It was Garrett's turn for show-and-tell at preschool and he really wanted to take a frog. There are lots of frogs in the pasture where Asparagus the Cow lives and Garrett loves to catch them. Greg took him on a frog hunt and they found a dandy little green guy to share with the other students at Rainbow Preschool.   

I forgot to take a picture of the actual frog, but I thought these pictures of Greg and Garrett were so cute.

Cousins, Pre-School, and Go Aggies!

Note: I am using my sister-in-law's sweet new Mac and messed up uploading these pictures, so they are completely in random order and I have no idea how to switch them around. Sorry!

Greg's brother, Brian, and his wife, Cathy came to visit from New Mexico along with their darling little girls. We loved every minute we got to spend with them and were so sad when they had to go home. 

A trip to the Willow Park Zoo is always a delight!

 

 

Garrett was more excited to show Annabelle the ROTC Army cannon through the fence than any of the animals in the zoo.

Three little monkeys climbing on the fence...

The Utah State vs. University of Utah football game was also that week. I've been to a lot of football games during my day, but this was one of the best. I've kind of gotten used to a lot of heartache as an Aggie (and Cougar) fan, but every now and again it's nice to be part of a game that ends with a "W." Go Aggies! They are off to their best start in 30-something years. Wahoo!!!

More fun with cousins...Garrett and Annabelle are so silly when they play together. 

Garrett also started pre-school while they were visiting. This is his second year and he LOVES it so much. His teacher is so great and perfect for Garrett. Gracie is going to the same pre-school this year, which is really fun. 

I told you they were silly! They found the old Halloween costumes in the back of the closet and had so much fun dressing up.

 

Sam I Am

Garrett went through a "Green Eggs and Ham" phase for a few months and we read the book more times than I can count. I always laugh at the end when Sam actually tries the green eggs and ham and discovers they aren't nearly as bad as he thought they would be. In fact, they were actually good and he wanted more. 

I had a "Sam I Am" moment last week when we took the kids camping while Greg hunted elk. I thought I hated camping and wasn't very excited about going, but I was wrong. We had so much fun and the kids absolutely loved it! I even had a good time and re-discovered (for about the millionth time in my life) that attitude is everything. My idea of a nice family weekend would generally include a condo in Park City, but it would take a real grumpface not to be excited about seeing this little guy having so much fun. 

His kid sister is a great little camper and LOVED the tent. She had to take her boots off before she could go in and spent a good share of the time putting her boots on and off as she went in and out, in and out.

Even our puppy was having a good time...

So, there was nothing left for me to do but smile and enjoy the ride!

Greg's cousin, Josh, and his sweet wife, Becca joined us and we were so glad they did.

The kids played so hard and were exhausted by bedtime. One night, Abby climbed in the car and fell asleep in her carseat. Poor little thing!

We made the yummiest dutch oven peach cobbler. We even used fresh peaches and it was so good!

The best part of camping: the treats. I bought all the crap the kids love that we rarely buy...Capri Suns, Pringles, marshmallows, gummies, etc.

Believe it or not, I am actually excited for next year and this Sam I Am has discovered that camping isn't so bad, after all.