First Day of Kindergarten!

The day finally arrived!  David starts Kindergarten!  The first picture shows how he really feels...ha ha.  He did pose nicely for us, and we asked to see his back pack...he held the sign up then too!  So cute!  Then of course a family picture.  He goes to Aspen Elementary and is in afternoon Kindergarten.  He is a pretty smart little boy and they are going to have a hard time keeping him challenged!  Good luck David!

Manti temple trip...

Yesterday we were able to take a little trip to the Manti temple.  This was my second time there and it was as an emotional time this time as it was in the summer of 2011.  It is such a beautiful, majestic temple, and knowing that my parents went through this temple and were sealed there, as well as both of their parents (my grandparents), and many other relatives/ancestors that I probably don't even know about, it just makes it such a special place for me.  It was very special to have Amanda and Joel with us.  It is a wonderful experience to go through a "live" session instead of the film.  And the murals in all the rooms were just amazing.  I truly loved being here and after our session we ate in the cafeteria downstairs.  And of course we asked to see the spiral staircases which they love to show you.  The Manti temple is so beautiful, and so huge, and so elaborate, it is no wonder President Kimball called it the "Queen Mother of all temples."  I believe it was him, and that is not a direct quote, but something to that effect.  We loved looking at all the antique decor and seeing some of the sealing rooms, wondering which ones my parents and grandparents were married in.  A beautiful and emotional day for me.  We took a lot of pictures on the grounds, and Joel always gets some really good close ups of the flowers (complete with bees and bumblebees!) and everything was very beautiful!  We want to come back next summer and see the pageant.  I look forward to that.  It was only a 1.5 hour drive from our house in Lindon.  A very doable day trip and well worth it!  Here are a few of the pictures Joel took, in no particular order...

Elder McKinney's "Farewell"

This morning at Lindon 16th Ward, Elder McKinney gave his talk in Sacrament Meeting.  We know they are not officially called Missionary Farewells anymore, but that's basically what it is.  He spoke along with another young man who is going on a mission to England.  Elder Packer.  He just happens to be the grandson of the Apostle Elder Packer so we secretly hoped for an "Apostle sighting" at church.  But it wasn't to be.  I guess Apostles are busy! Joel did a great job on his talk (as always!) and we had a nice family dinner after church.  Amanda made some wonderful Chicken Alfredo all from scratch...and a brownie trifle dessert that was to die for.  It was a nice day!  We of course wish it could have been with all our fellow Clovis 2nd ward family, instead of a ward of strangers we don't know yet, but family came to support him so it was all good!  And he did get a chance to bear his testimony in Clovis before we moved.  He is really looking and sounding like a missionary!  In 24 days he will be at the MTC!  We have two more missionaries speaking next Sunday, and then it's Fast Sunday and then Stake Conference.  So Joel got to give his talk early and now he is done with it and finishing up his preparations to leave.  We cannot believe how fast it is approaching!

 Elder McKinney with David, Jacob and Amanda Stewart

 Elder McKinney with Makayela, Randa, Jackson, Kai, Carson and Eric Farnsworth

 Elder McKinney with Mallory Doxey, our one Clovis friend in the audience!  She is currently attending BYU so was able to come...

 And of course, with Mom and Dad who could not be any happier about having another missionary!  Salt Lake City South is going to love Elder McKinney!

A tender mercy wrapped in a huge surprise!

On Sunday as I sat in church, I was feeling rather lonely.  Dave and Joel were out of town since Tuesday, and as I looked around our small congregation I thought, I really don't have any friends here!  I barely know who anyone is and I have been here six weeks!  I have barely found out who the Relief Society President is (well, I had figured out who she was after a few weeks, but didn't know her name).  I was just suddenly really missing my Clovis 2nd ward sisters!  If Amanda wasn't here with me, I would have really been depressed!  It was kind of a downer day for me and I know I will make friends eventually, but man, I miss Clovis 2nd ward!  So try to imagine my absolute surprise of all surprises when this morning my doorbell rang about 9:30.  I couldn't imagine who would be there.  No one comes to our door.  Ever.  When I opened it, there stood my dear friend Teri Stringham!!!  From Clovis!!!  I was in shock!  She had been in Colorado visiting a new grandbaby for several weeks and was on her way home.  She is staying with her sons in Payson and needed to come up here to do some shopping.  It made me cry to see her standing there and just so happy!  Guess who threw on their shoes and went shopping with her!!  And no, I didn't even do my hair!  I was so excited!  It was just like old times...going to JoAnn's fabrics, and Wal-Mart and a new one for us, Deseret Book.  (We don't have one of those in Clovis!) We got everything on her list and then it was lunch time.  So I took her to Kneaders for lunch.  Oh what a tender mercy to be able to spend the morning with a dear friend.  It buoyed my soul and was just what I needed!  Thank you, thank you dear sweet Teri for "stopping by!"  

 I had to take a picture of our yummy food and dessert from Kneaders...the eclair was perfect!  The cinnamon roll was for her son Sean...I hear he liked it!  

Jacob's birthday...continued!

Jacob turned 3 on August 6th...I posted a few pictures that day of his morning presents.  Then that evening Amanda and I took Jacob and David to the mall.  We had Chick-fil-a for dinner (Jacob's choice!) where he got a cool cow watch.  He still wears it!  Then we took them to the play place in the mall.  What a fun play place!  A big tree house with a slide, and really cute lights that look like acorns!  There is also a big dinosaur they played on and a log tunnel they ran through.  I could hardly get any pictures of them because they were so busy having fun!  Clif, Lindsay, Grandpa and Joel had all left early that morning so it was just the four of us left to have some fun.  

 Then Saturday was his actual "party!"  It was a "Froo Froo party."  Froo froo is his little blue and white dog that he can't live without!  When he was asked what kind of party he wanted, he simply stated, "A Froo Froo party!" His mom made the cutest Froo Froo cake and cupcakes with blue paw prints on them!  We had a backyard BBQ and water party (pool and slip-n-slide) with our Farnsworth cousins and a few of Amanda's local friends and their children.  It was a successful and fun party!

 Amanda decorated and Eric was our grill sergeant!  (I love that he has Dad's old Grill Sergeant apron!) He filled in for Dave and we appreciate it!  The food was great!  He also brought some bottle rockets to launch and thanks to little Jackson for bringing his pool to share with us!

 The cake and ice cream was a hit, and of course there were a few more presents!  Happy 3rd birthday Jacob!  We all love you!!