A Temple First

Yesterday was a first for me. It was the first time I got to escort someone through the temple. One of my friends, whose husband was baptized a year ago, went though with her husband yesterday! She will be sealed to her husband and children next Saturday!!! I have so been looking forward to the sealing. There is something special about seeing a whole family being sealed, compared to just a couple. I know both hold equal significance, but there is just something more emotional about it! Anyway, last week she was animate about the day I would be getting back from Utah. When I told her the date, she soon asked me if I could be her escort. I was honored, humbled, and honestly a little nervous. I was hoping that I would be able to help make the experience as comfortable for her as possible. It was great being her escort. I loved being with her and watch her soak everything in. Not only was it amazing getting to see her experience everything, but it was also a great review for me. It also gave me some more insight that I desperately needed. Lately, I have felt as though my temple trips have been a bit bland. I know that sounds bad. Ben and I have been going routinely every month, and I felt as though I hadn't received any , "Ah, ha" moments, and I was feeling guilty for feeling that way.

My friend told me over and over how much she appreciated me and needed me for her experience in the temple. But she may never realize how the Lord not only answered her prayer, but my prayers as well, through her. I love when the Lord works that way. It's so personal and is another witness at how much he loves and tends to our individual needs! After that amazing experience, I walked out the temple doors to find my Young Women from my old ward on the temple steps. They came running up and showered with me with hugs! Again, something I really needed. (It will make more sense in a post to come) Thanks Heavenly Father for tending to the details!

Bridal Veil and the Godowns (Day 5&6)

Sunday we slept in a bit, and had to raise Ethan from the dead. He is our teenager in a kids body. This is how we found him in the morning! How is did he end up there?We started our day at Bridal Veil Falls. The kids were looking forward to it the whole trip. It was much colder than it was last year, so getting in the water wasn't an option. They also were sad that the rope that was there last year, to help up a steep climb, was missing. It's not that we needed it. Guess it was just fun for them. Honestly, I forgot all about it. Funny how simple things like that are important to them. We reached the top much faster than last year, probably because they weren't hiking in flip flops this time. We only hung up at top for a few minutes, and then Aubrie and Boston hiked up the water fall from the bottom. Ethan had fun playing with sticks and Sophia just hung out with us on the bridge. The snow cone shack was under construction, so when we were done we headed straight to the Godowns.

Sophia's try at carrying the pack! I tried getting in but she wouldn't have it!:)

The Godowns are good friends of ours that moved to Utah. They were staying at a resort in the mountains. It's about an 30 minute drive through a canyon. It was a pretty drive up. Their condo sat next to a stream. Our kids had fun making a fort by the stream. Ethan had fun finding sticks and creating things out of them. I gave him a few of my hair ties, and a twist tie, and he created an awesome contraption where he would shoot smaller sticks off a big one. His own arrow shooter! That boys imagination is off the charts. After visiting for a bit, we took the kids to the resorts miniature golf course. We then came back for some good food and more visiting. It was GREAT catching up. It was such an enjoyable evening. We left before it got dark so we didn't have to drive the windy roads in the dark. Aubrie realized that she was the mosquitoes main course, as all her bug bites started to spring up an make her miserable! Poor girl! On the way home I realized I didn't get a picture of us with the Godowns. This was the only picture I got up there. These are birds nests made out of mud. Never seen anything like it before. When we got home we vegged out a bit, then packed things up for morning.
Monday, we left for home. The ride home was great. We stopped at this rock shop on the way home and the kids bought themselves some treasures. Boston picked out a crystal and purple geo rock. It took him forever to pick out the crystal because he couldn't figure out if he wanted a nicer rock for more money, or the other way around. He ended up being the bargain shopper, coming out only spending 2.50! Ethan got a bag of rocks and copper. After his purchase he walked out the door and said to the cashier , "Thanks! Have a great day!" The workers didn't see me around the corner and I heard them say, "What a sweet boy!" That made my heart smile. Aubrie got a petrified snail fossil and got Ben to buy me something that she liked! She asked me what my favorite rock was out of a certain display, and then she told Ben I really wanted something in there. Next thing I know he comes out with it! Smart girl! Good times at the rock shop! On the way home, Boston said, "This was a great trip!" I have to agree. It was a lot of fun!

We got home at 7...enough to unpack, eat and watch an episode of Wipe Out!!!

Seven Peaks & Fireworks (Day 4)

Saturday we slept in, and it felt great! We researched all the water parks in the area, and decided on Seven Peaks. I have never been there, but heard it was the better one in the Valley. They had a family package which included 4 inner tubes and a locker, and 4 meals. That worked out since Ethan and Sophia had to ride with us in the tubes anyway. The kids had a great time! The Wave Pool was the first thing the kids hit. I don't think they have ever been in one before. The slides and lazy river were next. Then the kids discovered the areas with the lily pads and rope swing. I think that was Boston's favorite area. Sophia had a great time, and did very well! It was a pleasant day at the water park.

We headed out around 3 and went back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. We made a quick stop at Great Grandma and Grandpa Jenkins before dinner. To our surprise Bonnie and Lisa were there. We visited for a bit, and then had to leave to get to dinner in time. I was so looking forward to Brick Oven, but was disappointed when the wait was well over an hour. We then tried Cafe Rio, but there was a line out the door. Wingers was our next stop, and it wasn't busy! The kids loved that there were flat screens over every table, and loved the popcorn they served. The wings were good, and I caved an got my usual-a chocolate coke! The Aspalt pie was the best reason for going. After dinner, Ben swam with Sophia and Ethan, while Aubrie, Boston and I played a round of Yahtzee! We then walked across the street to claim some grass area for the firework show. The Stadium of Fire was on the 3rd this year, since the 4th fell on a Sunday. Here are our AWESOME tie dye shirts. We got a lot of compliments and questions on whether we made them, and how we made them.

Aubrie and her hot chocolate. One of her favorite things about staying at the hotel...unlimited hot chocolate at her disposal!

Sophia's shot at photography!

The firework show was nice, but, again, not as great as last year. With that said, the Stadium of Fire is about the best firework show, besides Disneyland.

After the fireworks, we went back to the hotel and went to bed.

Timpanogos, Owls Game and the Salisbury's (Day3)

Friday I woke up early to get a shower and get ready before the gang all woke up. We had to head out by 9 to get breakfast and make it to Timpanogos in time. The family (minus me) had a quick bite at McDonalds. The kids thought this statue of Ronald was funny. I didn't eat there, but opted for a Clif Bar and OJ from a gas station. That was my favorite morning snack while I was up there. Our cave tour was at 12:30 and they suggested we start our mile and a half hike an hour and 1/2 early. Last time we did this hike, we did it with Joe, Billy, and my Mom 12 years ago. My Mom needed frequent stops, and we barely made it there in time, so with 4 kids I was panicked to get an early start on the hike. We made it up there with plenty of time to spare. Even with the frequent stops we had to make. There was much complaining from Ethan and Aubrie, Boston was a champ and didn't complain at all. We did sound like a broken record up and back as we had to continually remind them to stay a close to the mountain side of the trail. We heard that there was a recent accident there, which probably resulted in me being a little too protective the whole time, which I know annoyed the kids.

The hike was actually quite pleasant, I thought. It was shaded for most of the time, and it was so beautiful. We even saw some forrest critters on the way up!

Seriously, this boy is always thinking of poses for the camera!

I have NO idea what this pose is for, but he insisted I take it! I guess it's his "hiding behind the trash can" pose?

Since we got to the top early, we were able to take and early tour. Our tour guide was really nice. She put up with Ben's jokes, and enjoyed the kids. The kids loved the cave, but Boston was freezing from the 45 degree temperatures inside. He is my string bean with no body fat! I forgot how amazing the cave was. It was so cool to go through it again. The kids liked it, but wished there was an elevator to take them back down the mountain when it was over. Ha, Ha!

The hike down was even cooler. The wind had picked up and there was more cloud cover. It was a pleasant hike!

On the way out of the Canyon we saw this shaved ice shack in town. We stopped for a quick treat. Boston got the award for not complaining and Aubrie got the award for best listener. I told Ethan he wasn't going to be able to have one because he wasn't listening on the trail. He was so sad, but I knew that Boston would feel bad for him and share his, so I got Boston an extra big one. That way they both had enough. Boston got to be the great brother who shared, and Mom still got to follow through! I love when it works out that way, because I hate punishing Ethan. He is so pitiful when he is punished because he has such a sweet nature.

After our pit stop, we headed to the Salisbury's. (Ben's Childhood Best Friend) There we ate BBQ and hung out. They have 4 kids, also, so our kids had fun playing with them. We all got sucked into watching Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief in their theatre room. When we finally pulled ourselves out of there, we headed to the Owls game. Last year we went to the Owls game on the 3rd and they had an amazing firework show afterward.

This year we got regular seats, that were behind the first baseline. It was nice to be in the shade, and have back support. (We had grass seats last time). The kids did great at staying put. I did take them to the play area after the 6th inning, where they had a lot of fun. They were ready to go back to our seats, after the 7th though. I think they were tired from the hike earlier. The firework show was good, but not as great as last year. Budget cuts I guess. It was still pretty good for a small league game, though! After the game, we headed straight for the hotel, skipped the pool and went straight to bed! I think two days of hiking did us in!