Mt. Timpanogos detour...

We decided to hike to the Timpanogos Cave on Saturday.  We arrived at the park about 9 a.m. and when we inquired about tickets, they didn't have any available until 3 p.m.  (4 tickets for 3 pm and we would have to buy 2 more for 3:15 - we couldn't get 6 all at the same time they were so booked!) We thought we could come back up in the afternoon because it really isn't too far away, and as we were deciding to do it another lady purchased those 4 tickets right under our nose!  So now the next available time to get us all in was not until 5 p.m.  That was too late for us as we had Stake Conference meetings in the evening. We purchased ticket for Monday evening and decided to just take a detour and do a hike to Scout Falls for the morning.  We had packed snacks and water bottles and were ready for an adventure.  So off we went!  It was not a bad hike at all.  Again the little ones surprised me by walking all the way...up and down!  They are wonderful little hikers!  We didn't see very many children on the trail, so people are always impressed when they see the little guys marching along.  The trail was good and the scenery was beautiful.  We enjoyed our hike very much.  We weren't sure if we were going to make it all the way, but decided we were close enough, we needed to finish.  It's funny because people coming down the hill always tell you, "You're almost there" when in reality, you really aren't.  Are they trying to be encouraging when they say that?  Because I feel let down when I'm really not "almost" there.  Anyway, we did make it up - the falls were pretty small, more like a trickle, but cold water and very pretty.  We met another little family up at the top.  We share our snacks with them and they with us (only in Utah, I swear).  They were obviously LDS and we had a fun chat about where they lived and where they moved from and Joel going to the MTC in 4 days.  Then we started the hike back down.  Again, just an enjoyable walk, really not strenuous at all.  It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed it all.  We went to our stake meetings which were wonderful as well.  On Sunday we met in the old Alpine Tabernacle (beautiful old building!) and got a new stake presidency!  There were crazy storms over the weekend and due to rock and mud slides, the caves were closed and we were not able to go on our Monday hike.  We got a refund and will have to find another time to hike there.  They close for the season on the 22nd so I guess we will wait until next year.  Here's a "few" pictures of our day and the wonderful, cute hikers we hiked with!  There are so many good ones to pick from, it's hard to narrow it down!  Warning, Grandpa and Grandma wore shorts and the white legs might blind you!  Joel took all our pictures and wouldn't give us the camera to get a shot of him! But all the beautiful pictures are credited to him!

Going up...

The boys always find a "walking stick" to hike with...

and coming down...

September 5th is a special day...

September 5th at our house is a special day...it's the day my parents were married back in 1952 in the Manti Temple, and the day my sister was born in 1960.  This picture is of her last earthly birthday, 2 years old.  She passed away from cancer in April of 1963.  I was 6 months old.  I wish I had more wedding pictures of my parents...surely someone took pictures at their wedding reception, but there is only one picture of them standing by their cedar chest and gifts, and it is very dark.  I need to work on cleaning it up and brightening it...I still have Dad's suit and Mom's wedding dress.  The dress has been preserved but I'm not sure what to do with the suit.

Now that I live in Utah, I can actually go to the cemetery and place flowers on special days like this!  It made me very happy to buy flowers and make the drive out there...I was so sad that the grass was so grown over!  If we didn't know where Lori's headstone was, we wouldn't have found it!  Sadly the whole cemetery looked that way...but I had scissors with me for the flowers so we cut the grass!  Dave and Amanda did a good job unburying the headstones...Mom and Dad's wasn't quite as bad, but it needed some trimming too...I was happy to be there with family...Amanda, David, Jacob and Joel accompanied me...

 Then the icing on the cake was to attend the temple tonight and do sealings...Joel, Dave and I.  It was very special and sweet.  Yes, it was a special day.  I miss Mom and Dad very much and look forward to being reunited with them someday and being reacquainted with my sister.  I often wonder what my life would be like with a sister not quite 3  years older than me...it is a fun thought.  Happy Anniversary...and Happy Birthday...we will have a big party someday!

Back to BYU...

Today Miss Amanda began her adventure...returning to BYU!  She looks so cute!  The boys were sad to see her go, but we will try to have fun each day until time for Mommy to come home.  She went on a weekend get away trip with her friend Shelly, and when she got back, we had made her "back to school" basket.  The boys were so excited to see her after the weekend!  It is going to be a hard couple of years...fitting in school and homework along with motherhood, church callings and everything else life throws at you...but we know she can do it!  Wishing her the best of everything as she furthers her education!  She is going to be an awesome math teacher before we know it!!

The boys with their back to school basket they made for Mommy, complete with fresh picked sunflowers from the back yard!  

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!