The Museum of Ancient Life

 While the brothers were gone boating for their young mens activity yesterday, I was able to take these little cuties to the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point!

 The amazement and curiosity of a little child is something that I will never get tired of seeing! These kids were in awe at the sight of these prehistoric creatures...and so was I!

I loved seeing their faces as they looked at each of the exhibits...

 ...and little Kesslyn always makes it really exciting especially because she is seeing a lot of these things for the very first time...

 We had a fun time together looking and exploring and learning new things...

I still think about how summer is fleeting though, and that these little field trips and adventures are going to be sorely missed! So once again, I find myself trying to "push pause" on life and just take it all in...

 Just look at these faces!!! ;)

Such little sweeties!

 By the time we made it to the end of the museum, we could smell the popped popcorn, and decided that we would watch one of the 3D films there. It was such a good documentary and I learned so many things that I never knew before! It made me want to take Clint there for a date sometime because he loves those National Geographic type films so much! (Yes, call us nerds and we are OK with that.;)

It was a fun time with these kiddos and I love spending time with them! Thank you guys for loving me and for enjoying this journey together!

Yes, I Am a Child of God!

At Family Home Evening the other night I had a very busy little 2 year old handing out swim goggles as I was trying to teach...We were discussing the conference talk titled "Am I a Child of God?"

I had pictures of each of the children as little babies and we talked about their miraculous spirits, minds, and bodies and all the good that they were meant to do...and all the while I was trying to teach with the spirit, this sweet little "child of God" was reminding me that I was doing a "great job!" ("Thumbs up" as Kesslyn would say...)...and when I stop and think of what each of these children are sent here to do I can't help but wonder about all the good that they will do and all the people's hearts that they will touch, and ALL the people that they will make laugh...even if it is right when we are trying to be reverent in Family Home Evening!!! ;)

I know Heavenly Father is smiling down on us even when things don't go perfectly. He knows our hearts and He knows just how hard we are trying, AND He knows how good it feels to laugh. :)

Thank you Kesslyn for the sweet reminder that you give me that we are doing OK! That we get a "thumbs up", and that without a doubt we ARE each a child of God. :)

A Little Time With Kierra

 Monday was our last day with Kierra and everyone needed a little of her attention...;)

The little sissy's got their fingernails and toenails painted, and I took Kierra for just a few minutes just the two of us to Deseret Book to buy some new garments...

We picked up Dallin from the high school where he had gotten his new Student Class Officer sweater, and had been directing kids and welcoming them at the school...

 He was pretty darn proud of his new sweater and looked pretty sharp in it too!  ;)

 He was especially proud of the Ying Yang Silver wolf symbol that was on his back. It was the part that he designed and everyone loved!

 I can hardly believe that he is ready to enter high school...and that in 3 short years he will graduate and be following in his big brothers foot steps...I'm telling you...WHERE does time go???

 Yes Dallin, your future is SOOO bright! :)

 We all went to Hokulia and had shave ice and sat around talking and enjoying each others company...

 ...and then somehow we ended up at the mall which we NEVER go to the mall...but we wanted to find a slip extender for Kierra and a few more school clothes for the boys...

 We found neither of those things, but the girls did find this zebra they could ride around on and boy did they have fun!!! Kambriella was a little speed demon and we thought of how proud Riley would have been to see her...;)

 ...and then there was Kesslyn...WATCH OUT WORLD!!!

CRAZY DRIVER!!!! ;) ;)

 There were also these chairs that the brothers found and took everyone too...they all had a good laugh sitting in them and spinning around in circles...I didn't try it though since I don't do too well with anything that might make me get motion sick...I'm glad they all had a good laugh though!

 By the end of the day it was time for family dinner and Kierra chose to go to Hu Hot. We had a delicious dinner, visited some more, and then it was time to send Kierra on her way to go back to Riley and back to Colorado.

I always consider myself lucky to get ANY chance to see Kierra, so having a couple of days with her really was a treat! Every time I am with her I am reminded of the goodness and love of our Heavenly Father. That He gave us all the opportunity to come here and experience life in the safety and love of a family. My children remind me of that love constantly and their goodness and pure hearts make me want to do better each day, so that when our time comes there will be NO regrets and only an eternity of goodness and TIME together.

We are such a blessed family and I am so so grateful for this daily constant reminder from Him! 

Our Own "Happily Ever After"

 Friday night date night at the temple...one of my all time favorite things to do with my hubby!!!

Having the Jordan River Temple open once again is such a blessing!

After we did sealings there, we went to dinner at Gecko's Mexican Restaurant, and then to a wedding reception for a young man in our ward, Bryce Stone. He was one of "my kids" on trek and I have always had a great love for him ever since then. I was just so so happy for him and that he was able to find such a kind and beautiful wife and that he could be sealed to her for time and all eternity...

Congratulations Bryce and Allie!

 Saturday we were able to pick Kierra up from the airport so she could be here for the weekend! Her good friend Emma Geertsen returned home from her mission this week and gave her homecoming talk that she wanted to be here for so it was a good excuse to see her for a minute! Emma served in the Italy Rome mission which is the same mission that our son Carew is currently serving in and call me crazy, but there was something about listening to her share her experiences there that really made me feel close to Carew and I loved every minute it. :)

 We were also able to go to my little nephew Emmet's 1st birthday party where we had fun just catching up with everyone!

 They had a bounce house there that was so fun for all of the kids...especially Kesslyn! ;)

 She jumped and jumped her little heart out until her little cheeks were bright red!!!

Being a kid and so care free...I love to watch them live and learn and take it all in...WE are living each day, our own "happily ever after!" Dream big my little ones! :)

More Summer Adventures

Well, it has been a summer of fun and family, that's for sure! I picked up Gavin and Dallin from a few days of staying with cousins just in time to drop Dallin off to go to his scout camp!

He literally got home at 8:00 am and then I took him to the Burbidge's at 8:30.

We said goodbye and they were off! But I wouldn't necessarily call it "camping"...it's more like staying at the Yellowstone lodge or something like that...(at the Burbidge's cabin up in Star Valley...)

See what I mean???

(Lisa sent this to me last night. :)

I'm glad for all of the adventures my children are having!!! 

Another summer to remember!!!

Going to the Zoo!

 Summer wouldn't be complete without a trip to the zoo with Grandma and our cousins, so that is what we did yesterday! We love the elephants and how they remind us of Kierra, and the tigers too and how they remind us of Carew! (The tigers are always just the hardest to get a  picture of...)

 We rode the train and had lots of fun wishing little Emmet a happy 1st birthday!

 Everyone loves the train, and Kesslyn too!!! She squealed with excitement when it started going around the track! ;)

 We watched a beautiful bird show and ate lunch at the picnic tables...

 ...we rode on the carousel...

  ...and even got to see their newest animal at the zoo, the Red Panda!!!

Isn't it cute???

 Visiting the Polar Bear was so fun too! (And it helped that it was in a beautiful air conditioned building! ;)

This big guy just sat there floating comfortably in the water for the longest time letting all of the people take pictures of his back side...:)

 Once again, being with the people that I love, and getting to see some of our Heavenly Father's most beautiful and unique creations has strengthened my testimony of and love for Him!

He is so so good, and I LOVE this little family of mine!!! :)

Fire In Milburn

This is a picture of  the Hilltop Fire that is burning the mountain down in Sanpete County, near the city of Milburn, which is where our cabin is.

This photo is actually the view from our driveway, and it shows just how close the fire is to where we are...scary...

But in all of the prayers we have offered for everything to be OK, we are really just praying for people...

Homes and "things" can be replaced. People can't.

Heavenly Father please bless the firemen, safety officials, and families everywhere being affected by all of the fires.

I'm continually grateful for Thy wisdom and that beautiful peace in Christ.