We Love to See the Temple

We loved driving the "Temple corridor", if you will.  We didn't take pictures at all of them, but we stopped whenever we could.  I love these pictures of my kids!

Just for memory-sake, here are the temples we saw: Boise, Twin Falls, Logan, Ogden, Bountiful, Jordan River, Oquirrh Mountain, Draper, Mt Timpanogas, Provo, Provo City Center, Salt Lake, and Idaho Falls.  I think I got them all.  Such a neat opportunity for my kids to see the Houses of the Lord dot the earth.

Family Vacation to Utah & Thanksgiving

Our trip to Utah was FABULOUS!  We had such a wonderful time and I'm so thankful we were able to go.  We looked forward to it for a long time and even with all the anticipation, it did not disappoint.  It turned out to be important time together with our immediate family, fun time with extended family, time learning about our family history and seeing several cemeteries, seeing Temple Square and the beauty of Christmastime there, and seeing lots of beautiful Houses of the Lord!  So much fun.  The weather turned out to be amazingly beautiful with no snow on our drive; such a blessing!

We visited Anneca's grave before we left.  Then stopped in Beaver Dam, Utah, to visit Johnson Family graves (my maternal grandmother, Ruby Johnson Thornley); Smithfield, Utah, to visit Thornley family graves (my maternal grandparents); and Spanish Fork, Utah to visit Barney & Simmons' family graves (my paternal grandparents).  We also were able to see a good friend's brother's grave in Smithfield (Qwin Warren, Tina Spencer's brother), and an aunt on my maternal grandmother's side in Spanish Fork.  The kids are pretty used to cemeteries by now and had fun exploring and discovering.  Alyson's kids taught them how to do grave rubbings.  I read family history stories much of the drive there on FamilyTree, and learned some amazing stories about my ancestors.  My paternal great-grandmother had five stillborn children prior to having her first child who survived.  She had 13 total children.  What an amazing woman!  My paternal great-great grandfather (several "greats", actually, not sure exactly) was the first mayor of Spanish Fork, and he has a remarkable-Joseph Smith-like conversion story.  It was so neat to read.  I totally felt my heart being "turned to the fathers" and it was such a sweet feeling.

 (Beaver Dam Cemetery, above)

(Smithfield cemetery, below)

  

(Spanish Fork cemetery, above)

While in Cache Valley, we stopped for a brief visit for my cousin, Mandy, who is exactly one day younger than I (can you tell?!  Her and I, pictured below.)  Also, her mom, my mom's sister, who always confuses my youngest children because they look a lot alike.  We also saw my grandparents home (looking much less well-cared for), and made a stop for some Aggie Ice Cream so we could compare it with the BYU Creamery. A must when visiting both valleys, don't you think? :)

Then we headed South to Alpine to stay a couple of days with the Rummlers.   We had Thanksgiving there and all had a great time.  It was fun to see their new home, go on our own "Turkey Trot" Thanksgiving morning, and relax and play and visit.  The kids all had a blast playing with the cousins and their many toys, including their "secret room".  Alyson's "big kids" were great playing with my "littler kids".  Alyson and several other helpers made a delicious Thanksgiving spread, and we enjoyed way too much pie and ice cream.  We have so very much to be thankful for.

More of the adventure to come...

First Day of Snow

The kids were so excited with our first snow...less than one inch!  Skyler shoveled our driveway and two of our neighbors.  And he spent over an hour on our back patio "shoveling" the snow and building his first snowman of the season.  First, the head, then the rest of the body.  He worked SO hard on it and although it was a sad, little snowman, he was so proud of it.  I am so proud of how determined he is and how hard he works to accomplish what he wants to, despite having obstacles in his way:). (Very little snow is a large obstacle when building a snowman, wouldn't you say?) :)

Surprise! Kyle is 40!

Kyle turned the big 4-0 on Wednesday, November 26th!  Happy birthday to my favorite man in the world! 

He wasn't too excited about hitting a new decade.  Several months ago he mentioned that I had never thrown him a surprise party, so I would tell him several times when his birthday came up, "You're having a surprise party," or, "Are you ready for your surprise party?"  It was me being a bit of a party pooper, since surprises are much more his thing than mine.  But, as it got closer, I stopped bringing it up.  One day I asked him if he really wanted one.  He told me to please not worry about it, since he knew I was a bit overwhelmed with everything going on.  I told him that was okay with me, if he was sure.  Then I thanked him for letting me off the hook.

But, I didn't really let him get off that easily!  It took a bit of figuring out--with the awesome help of Sara Edge--and we finally concocted a plan that would work.  We were going to be in Utah for Thanksgiving on his actual birthday, so I planned it for the Saturday before.  That same day (the 22nd), we went to the Kroc Center in Coeur D'Alene to celebrate reading the entire Book of Mormon as a family (woo hoo!  So exciting!).  We spent all morning and afternoon there, then came home and got changed then went over to the Edges' for dinner.  (This is the part that was a huge help; I didn't know how else I'd get him out of the house.)  While we were there, the Thomas' came over and decorated and let the other friends who came into the house.  At about 6:20, I told Kyle we'd better get the kids home since they were so tired (which they really were), and we headed home.  We stopped by the church to get something for my Sharing Time lesson the next day so the Edges had time to get to the house before we did. 

Kyle was genuinely surprised!  We had over 30 friends here to shout, "Surprise!" and wish him a happy birthday.  We had his favorite carrot cake and ice cream and visited while the kids played.  It was a fun night.  

The following week, Kyle got to continue his birthday celebrations.  Monday night for FHE, he opened his gifts from all of us.  Wednesday, we gave him little strips of paper that said 40 things we love about daddy, then they went together to make a puzzle.  Also that evening, we arrived at the Rummler's house and sang to him and had ice cream.  Then Friday night when we got to the Romney's, we again celebrated.  Christine had a mint ice cream cake that we all enjoyed!

So, I think it's safe to say, that despite the bummer of turning 40, he had a happy birthday.  We are glad and sure do love our daddy!  As do many, many other people!

New Favorite Spencer Quote

At dinner, I was explaining positive and negative numbers to the kids.  After I explained, I said, somewhat teasingly, "Comprende' Por Favor?"  (I know this isn't correct Spanish, but it's what I said.)

Spencer immediately replied, as if he were offended, "Hey, I am not Korihor!" (As in Book of Mormon fame:).)

Crackin' me up!