Tuesday Temple Square

Tuesday we did Temple Square!

We were so lucky that Tammy called and booked a spot to do Temple baptisms at the Salt Lake City Temple! We got there early to walk around and take some pictures. Grandma and I went into the temple with Kalia and Jacob. Tammy and Jen stayed out with the rest of the kids- it was so great of them!

Barker and Remy have no recollection of being here before so it was so fun to watch them see everything. We got a group picture in front of the temple, and some missionaries asked us to take their photo. Barker was so excited to see that big of a group of missionaries and asked if he could get his picture with them. I hope its something he looks back and remembers how excited he was. 

The girls loved getting the same picture we always get!

Remy was just excited period. 

We went and did Baptisms for the dead! It was so fun to take Kalia to this temple, we ended up waiting a while for Jacob to get there. The temple workers in the dressing room got a load of laundry while we waited and asked Kalia if she wanted to help while we waited- she did. Unfortunately I forgot my family temple names at Aunt Karens house, so we did temple names. We still got to bless families by doing the work, but not our family. The spirit in the baptism font was strong and it was lovely to see the beautiful font and building. The temple workers were lovely.

After the session we found everyone else and headed to the mall for some much needed lunch. 

Then spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the square and doing the visitor centres.

I asked questions as we walked around the centre looking at the pictures, to see what and who my kids knew. I was pleasantly surprised about what they knew- but we still have lots of learning to do.

The reason we were sent here on earth, to teach our children about God and his love. To teach them about the scriptures and our prophets. I was blessed to be a parent to these amazing children and I pray to God that I teach them to follow in his footsteps. To be kind, strong humans with a unshakeable testimony in God and his word. 

Museum of Natural Curiosity

Today we met up with Tammy and her kids to, we went over to Thanksgiving Point and did The Museum of Natural Curiosity. 

Aunt Karen lives in Cedar City Utah. The freeway turn off for her house is the same turnoff for Thanksgiving Point- and every time we have come down to Utah  it has been mentioned that we should do Thanksgiving Point. I have had absolutely NO interest in doing so. We always choose other fun things to do instead. This year I agreed to do it with Tammy and Jen, and was not looking forward to it. I tired to convince everyone to do something else but it won out in the end. 

Man was I wrong. It was so fun. The kids had a absolute blast. There are so many interactive experiences it was one section of fun after another. We started in the basement with the Rainforest with a tunnel of terror, hang time, the entrance to a tree top walkway fort thing, and a jungle explorer hunt. Leaving the rainforest we did the Kidopols area next. Full of buildings to play in that are kid sized and have some form of activity in each one. A Bank with money, and a valt. A theatre with a stage, seats, music, and costumes. A recording studio with drums, DJ equipment and a piano type thing. A Library with books and checkout desk. A magic shop with props. A Laundry matt with laundry and machines... you get the idea. The kids played there until Lunchtime. We headed outside to the picnic tables beside the golf course,

After lunch we explored outside. 

The playground with the zipline- where the kids took turns pushing everyone as fast as they could. The Coy Pond where they fed the fish. The sand pit where they played for a bit and the underground tunnel with pretend stalagmites.

Then to end the day back inside at the waterworks. Where we stayed for over 2 hours. 

If we had started here the kids would have been disappointed in the rest of the museum. They were all soaked in minutes- but they had so much fun directing water, building dams working as a team in each new endeavour. 

After our great day, we spent the evening shopping. 

The big girls wanted to shop even longer, so after dinner Grandma took the boys all home and the girls kept going. It was such a fun Monday. Thanks Tammy and kids, Jen and Grandma.

We had amazing day.

Saturday and Sunday in Utah!

Saturday we needed something to get the massive wiggles out!

Jen and I took the kids to Lehi's water park. At least I think it was in Lehi...

It was hot hot hot and we loved every minute of it. 

Sunday we went to church with Eric and Tammy then had a big dinner at Aunt Karens with everyone.

We had stake and potatoes, followed by games. The kids sprawled out everywhere and the adults played games to- it was a great evening.

Drive to Utah

Jen moved to Utah this year.

Its a great move for her little family- and we are so excited for the new opportunities they are being blessed with. Cayleigh is in a huge new High School in Cedar City and hopefully making new friends. Ashleigh and Connor are adjusting the best- thriving with this new move. Zander is 6 and such a easy going boy, he is just happy. 

I knew the kids and I were going to get down there to see them before the crazy of the year started, but finding time this summer that wasn't booked was crazy. We ended up going at the last possible chance to visit. Jens kids had already started school, but we went anyways- school only takes up a portion of the day! 

I invited my Mom to come with us to see her Sister (Aunt Karen, Jen's Mom who Jen moved in with until they can get resettled). Mom thought that was a great idea, and off we went. Our first day we drove to Helena to spend the night, breaking up our trip. 

To be frightfully honest- the kids were absolutely terrible on the drive down. They were showing off to Grandma and doing everything in their power to make anyone sitting near them mad. It was the worst day I have ever done  in the car with kids- and I have traveled LOTS of places with my kids. I did Portland for crying out loud BY MYSELF, I have even drove to UTAH with the 4 kids by MYSELF, plus the many trips to Raymond, Montana, BC, etc! Poor Grandma was really trying her best to help and be positive. By the end of the first day, those little humans got a tongue lashing they won't forget. The second day went better. Not great but better.

After the Tongue lashing outside of the restaurant we had a great dinner, errrr.... it started out great.

We played Cover Your Assets while we waited for our chicken wings at Barkers Favourite Restaurant Buffalo Wild Wings. The kids played happily and waited patiently. Then wolfed down the wings- wolfed them down so fast, that as soon as Barker did any physical activity AKA swimming he barfed it all back up. Luckily in the toilet at the pool but still put him down for the night. 

I am going to try and forget the majority that happened theses 2 days of hearing my kids fight.

Clay at the Beach

The day before the kids, Grandma and I left for Utah we spent the morning and afternoon at the beach with cousins. It was hot hot hot and we loved every minute. This time the boys got busy with a clay mud bath. Working together they dug into the bank, found clay, transferring it to a giant hole to line it. This kept them occupied until they figured out covering themselves with clay was even funner. Of course Barker was in with both feet- THIS is why we have a beach swim suit and a pool swim suit. 

Days before the trip

Aunt Lindsay has horses again! She is so excited to have horses again to teach Arlie and Lena how to ride and be a good horse lady. Obviously my kids are thrilled, also. When we have had time this summer they are excited and willing to go over and help with the girls and the horses. The mini pony is small and needs lots more training and Remy and Barker are helping with that.

While the kids are outside playing, hanging in the screen room, playing with the horses, or riding bikes/skateboards I am working on being ready for our last summer trip- meaning laundry and labeling school supplies, cleaning the house, and finagling travel plans. Justin helped with the school supply shopping which was win/lose situation. Yes we got done faster, but we spent more money as he just kinda said yes to everything. Where as I am more a No- you don't need that brand when this brand is cheaper kinda school supply shopper.. oh well. At least I didn't have to do it by solo with four kids.

This week we also got around to buying Justin a new truck from the accident in April. The insurance paper work got finished, he found the EXACT same truck to be able to use the rack and topper and cause he is a huge fan of this truck. Laura took Annaliesse on a date to the Zoo. Barker and Remy spent the day with Aunt Karla and Aunt Sherilyn and kids- meaning they had a way better day playing then driving around Red Deer and Calgary test driving. Kaila spend the day at a friends house.

We bought the truck faster than we had planned and got to spend the evening with our fire pit and family in the backyard.