A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Ohio or Bust (Part III)

Our first adventure on Monday afternoon was the Independence Visitor Center. (The Community Church of Christ's temple building is in the background.) Don't let our hair blowing in the wind fool you, we were frying hot!

William W. Phelp's printing press shop re-creation where we heard the story of the two youngs girls who saved some of the printed copies of the "Book of Commandments".

Sammie stirring up our grub in the mini-pioneer cabin.

"Hold on, Ally! This ride may get bumpy!" The kids had a great time moving west with this mini-wagon. To my surprise they even attempted to put the kid-size rocking chair in the back for the "journey." Hopefully it didn't get too worn during the move.

The kids were getting ready for a family picture in front of the Christus. One of the Sisters caught this precious moment.

Benji put up with "my people in every picture" quirk. "It's hot out here, Mom, take it quick!" This will be the new Kansas City, Missouri Temple.

The kids weren't so sure about the army of bugs that greeted us at Adam-ondi-Ahman. The noise from them "hurt our ears." The view was amazing! (Someday I'll have a camera that will capture it. Hint, hint honey.) We ended up spending the night in a motel, since sleeping in the heat and humidity wasn't very inticing after experiencing it in Kansas.

Ohio or Bust (Part II)

We are in Kansas, Toto (okay so Toto is our friend the "lizard")... After traveling from Denver with not much to stop and see, just flat farmland, we picked the best place to sleep in Kansas (not realizing the temperatures and humidity might preclude a good night's sleep). We beat our record of setting up camp by 11:00 p.m. Thanks to Ben's pillow fan the kids fell asleep right away. Then in the morning we were able to cool off in Wilson's Lake.

Unfortunately, we did have to leave our newest pet frog behind.

Ohio or Bust (Part I)

Yep! You heard right. Here we are going to Ohio. (I took these pictures so we could remember how happy we were before we got most of the trip behind us.)

We stopped for an extended Pack Family reunion where the kids quickly bonded with their cousins.

Here's Hyrum's portrait of Kayla in the community hall at the Gooseberry Administration Site (near Salina, Utah). Family was great, food was awesome, beds were hard.

We didn't even fill up the back with all the stuff we needed. Maybe that's because I limited everyone to one backpack for ALL of their stuff.

Here's Ghost Rock..."Dum-dum, I want gum-gum." (Night at the Museum I) Our first lunch stop on the trip.

Hyrum almost made it through his dinosaur book.

This hot pool was on recommendation from a local, however, only Ben could stand the 110 degree heat. Maybe we'll be back in the winter. Not!

Colorado's I-70 has a plethera of tunnels. The kids are trying to hold their breath from beginning to end.

After driving for two hours in what felt like circles, we found a camping spot around 11 p.m. Saturday night. Luckily by morning the memory of getting everyone to bed was waning.

We made a brief stop at the Denver Colorado Temple and fit in a meeting at a local church. We went back to the temple to eat our lunch and were told the church doesn't like rodents, so we moved just off the property to eat.

Here we are visiting my kids oldest, wisest cousin. Thanks, Travis, for the cold, filtered watered and good company!

My budding photographer took this picture of the sun setting on the Kansas horizon. Goodnight....zzzz!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Wowing the world

I work with some amazing girls in Activity Days! Here's what they made to tell the world about the Word of Wisdom.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Valentine Tribute

As I was going through my mom's things I found a note that I had written to my mom. And then, just today I found an identical note that I wrote to my dad. Both were composed on Valentine's Day two years ago. So, I thought it fitting to share them with you this week as my tribute to them.

Things I love about Mom (reflection from 2009):

1. She loves little children and doesn’t hesitate to show them.

2. She is my favorite baker.

3. She bakes/cooks my favorite meals.

4. She can always get me out of a jam.

5. We can cry through movies together.

6. She is a good listener.

7. She has a warm smile and infectious laugh.

8. She shares my love of Mexican food.

9. She hugs me when I need it the most.

10. She loves me for who I am.

My "portrait" in Mom's mirror while capturing her "life"

Her mug--child's gift

Her now empty chair that's still full of memories

Reading, one of her many loves

A beautiful bride
(her two daughter brides in the background)

Her shoes lined up with a convenient
pair of stockings....don't forget her slippers
in every color.

It was critical that Mom had everything ready for a quick exit

At rest

Unopened puzzle (another of Mom's loves) from Mom's house
put together in her remembrance (luckily it wasn't too tough with
all of the differing colors...thanks, Mom)

Temporary headstone and "last" act of kindness from her grandchildren

Things I love about you, Dad (reflection from 2009):

1. You are always a gentleman.

2. You make me laugh.

3. You are a great chef. I’ve never tasted anything I didn’t like.

4. I feel safe when you are driving.

5. You are a playful grandpa.

6. You always build me up.

7. You are my biggest fan (next to Mom, of course).

8. You keep going even through physical obstacles.

9. You can turn a crisis into an adventure.

10. I can always count on you.

Dad at the graveside paying his last respects to Mom

It's in God's creations that the greatest joys are found.

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for helping me find joy.

The Pack Place: Ice Fishing at Strawberry

Ben posted this on his family's blog :

Benji and I (Ben) went ice fishing this weekend. Most memorable is the sunburn.[Benji's face was swollen--last picture--from the sunburn; he could barely see for two days straight.]