Saturday morning we woke up early to get ready to go to conference! We were so excited! We drove to Salt Lake and had the hardest time finding parking! The ticket we had was only for a certain parking lot that was further away than what we wanted, so we tried to get in some other ones, but they were either full or required the right pass. We were supposed to be seated by 9:30 and it was about 9:20 at this time! So Eric and Randa dropped us off in front of the conference center so we could at least get in while they tried to find parking. We hustled with the thousands of other people to the steps of the center. We rushed to the line with our number on it (from the tickets) and they just cut that line off when we got there, told us to go get in this other huge line that went all the way up beside the conference center. We were afraid we weren't going to get in! The line moved quickly though and we got in the door and through security, found our seats and were seated about 5 minutes before the prophet came in. We kept texting Randa to see where they were! We told them there were still about a thousand seats not filled so we knew they were still letting people in. All at once, without any warning, everyone stood up...President Monson was walking in. Amazing how quiet almost 20,000 people can be! Tears came to my eyes as I realized where I was and what a wonderful moment it was. The Spirit was very strong! We all sat down again and a few minutes later conference started. We had to fill in our section so couldn't save seats, but we saw Eric and Randa across the balcony going down an aisle and getting a seat! YEAH, they made it in!!! It was a wonderful session and such a thrill to be there. The Tabernacle Choir sounds even better (if that's possible!) in person. It was fun to watch the cameras and the screens, and all the people. I am still amazed that all the seats aren't filled when it starts...the things you don't see on television! :)
After the session we walked across temple square (hoping for a Sis. Brunsvik sighting) and walked down the street to the Beehive House. It was fun to see the house that Brigham Young built and so many items from that time period. A twenty minute tour done by some cute sister missionaries. When we finished there, we went back to where the car was parked (in the lot where we should have gone to at first!) and headed out of town....found a Red Robin and had a wonderful lunch. Children under 8 don't get to attend in the conference center so it was an adult outing and we had a great time! We also stopped at a Deseret Industries on the way back. What a large store! And so organized and nice. It was very fun. I found a couple of books (what else!?) for very cheap and I was happy that we stopped.
When the boys (and men!) left for priesthood Randa and the kids and I went to Roberts Craft Store. They and Deseret Book have "ladies night" during priesthood session. Only in Utah! I got a couple of things I want everytime I go there (this WAS on my "to do in Utah" list) and Makayela won a prize and Randa made me a quote book that looks like a match book. She made it for me since I was holding Carson who was sound asleep.
At home afterward, when the guys got back, we had ice cream and the kids all went to the hot tub again. Eric, Randa, Dave and I played Rook (one of our favorite games) and let me just say, the girls WON!! It was great! We had a fun, relaxing night and actually stayed up past 11. That doesn't usually happen for us! It was a wonderful day!
You weren't supposed to bring cameras in so I left mine in the car. EVERYONE had cameras and was taking pictures! I waited until conference was over and then took a few with my phone!
I find it interesting that the choir stays seated while everyone leaves. And also that 20,000 people can leave the conference center quieter than 200 people at Sacrament mtg! I know there aren't little kids at conference, but it's not the little kids I hear when I am playing postlude after Sacrament meeting. :)
Clif wouldn't turn around, but here are the boys leaving the conference center...we were in balcony section 5.
Looking down a level at the glasswork, fountain, and mirrors. So pretty!
Looking across at Temple Square from the front of the conference center. We had so hoped to see Sis. Brunsvik (she's a missionary from our ward serving on temple square) but with soooo many people and so many places she could be, it was quite impossible. There were several missionaries singing hymns outside the gates. It was beautiful. None of them were her though.
Inside the Beehive house! The intricate carvings on the stair posts...beautiful work like this all through the house.
The room where guests are entertained. It is called "the Long Hall."
This was a play room. We also saw a "school" room, some of the bedrooms, the kitchen and pantry, Brigham's study, a sewing room and the dining room.
The dining room table which was made from a wagon, everything got used! Too bad we aren't more that way today...
Randa, Clif and Joel at the end of the tour. We got to fill out comment cards. I left a comment about our tour and then asked them to please tell Sis. Brunsvik hello from the McKinneys! :)
Tried to get a good pic of Eric and Randa, but the light from the window kind of messed it up. Sorry guys! Camera phone and not wearing my glasses, what can we expect?
At Red Robin...some of us tried new foods and liked them! Dave's strawberry lemonade got refilled, and refilled....
Our wonderful hosts of the day, Eric and Randa! Thanks guys!!!
So I ordered this book for an upcoming bookclub (Deann's fav book!) thinking I would get a head start on reading it. I was excited when it arrived and when I opened it up, this is what I found...on EVERY PAGE...
Written in invisible ink perhaps? The moral is, don't judge a book by it's cover!! 
