Utah Trip

As part of our Christmas gift, my parents took us all to Salt Lake City for a few nights. My brothers would be able to snowboard for a day and we could see the lights at Temple Square and it is an easy place to fly in and out of. We drove to SeaTac Sunday afternoon and made it through the airport and through the flight really pretty easily.

Michael with Grey:

Grey took a very strong liking to Michael. We could all be in a line and he would everytime choose to go to Michael. It was very sweet, but I am afraid Michael maybe was getting tired of it come the end of the trip.

Monday morning Justin and I got up and went to a session at the Salt Lake Temple. It was a first for both of us and a wonderful experience. We even got to stay afterwards and do a few sealings which was such a great thing to be able to do. Neither of us had done sealings since our own sealing and this was a cherished reminder of those covenants that we made to each other and to our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for the opportunity that we had there.

That afternoon we all headed to Provo to the campus of BYU. I got to go down memory lane a bit as I spent 2 years there. It was sad to see a few things different, like DT and the old creamery gone, but lots was just as I remember it like my dorm at Gates Hall. We went to the bookstore for a souvenier or two and then to the new creamry for an ice cream. Somehow I failed to get some pictures of being here. So sad.

At Chuck-O-Rama Buffet Monday night:

Tuesday, my brothers headed to Park City for snowboarding so we spent the day together just as our little family. We headed to Temple Square to check things out.

At the Church History Museum across the street from Temple Square there was a great "I Am a Child of God" exhibit. It was just like a children's museum and free!

This was the nursery for the baby dolls:

Lots of coloring stations:

A bean bag toss:

Stars and stained glass like at the temple:

Follow the strait and narrow path:

And you will find the tree of life:

Build a temple:

Be in a nativity:

We went across the street into temple square and walked around for a bit in the snowy weather.

We went into the Visitor's Center and saw the Christus statue. Elliot loved it and it brought tears to my eyes seeing her look up at him as we hear the voice of the Savior come across the speaker.

We went up to the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and even saw a bride coming out of the temple! Later we realized that at this time of year at this temple they are a dime a dozen, but I am glad that Elliot got to see them all and kept reminding her that she wants to get married in the temple someday.

Horray! He's asleep!

All of us at the view of the temple:

Still sleeping:

We met up with my mom and went to a nearby mall to bum around a bit.

We obviously wore them out:

At dinner Tuesday night:

Tuesday evening to see the lights at Temple Square:

Michael with his little buddy:

The nativity all lit up. The story is told over a loud speaker over and over through the night. Again, brought tears to my eyes.

Mark and Elliot at breakfast:

Wednesday before we headed to the airport, we stopped at Brigham Young's house. These are pictures from the tour that we took.

This is a little window for Brigham Young's children to look down at the front door to see who was coming to visit without being in the way:

A living room:

A playroom- note, no wii:

Kitchen:

Justin and Elliot:

Walking back to the temple:

All in all, it was a great trip. It went by all to fast, but most good things do. Thanks so much to my parents for all that they did for us in providing this trip. It was nice to be together as a family, but we missed Aaron who is serving a mission in Canada. We will have to catch him next time. We made it back without much trouble too and now are enjoying a couple days at home with not much on the agenda which has been wonderful.

Christmas Day

After lots of planning and much anticipation, Christmas morning finally came. We stayed at our house for the morning which was so nice not to have to pack up gifts and such. This was our living room after Santa arrived. Elliot got a Barbie house that I think was a hit. She has already spent many hours perched next to it arranging and rearranging.

Grey got a little kitchen since he seems to love to play in mine so much and a few other little things. My parents got the kids the red wagon.

After getting things a little cleaned up and ready for the day, we headed to Spokane to Grandpa Snook and Grandma Jana's house. We met Aunt Lisa, Uncle Kelly, Ryan and Kolby there as well. We had great presents again and even better company and food. We did, however, get to bring a wii home with us which was a special treat to us!

The kids waiting for dinner:

The kids playing outside for a few minutes- it was very cold!!!

Elliot and Grandma Jana:

It was such a nice Christmas together with family and even somewhat relaxing. Most importantly though, I am grateful for the true reason for the season- that Jesus Christ was born humbly in a stable and was the perfect example of how we should live our lives and later died so that we may live.