Payson Temple open house

I love the temple and was so excited to hear the Payson temple was opening in May. I wrote down the date to request tickets and was able to get some. It was perfect timing since the kids were off track and we could go during the day.

The morning we were going to the temple everything just seemed hard. The kids yelled, I couldn't get everything done I wanted and we were just plain grumpy. My wonderful husband had gotten the car checked and ready for our first long trip (anything longer than a 1/2 hour is long because we never go anywhere). Despite it all we still made the journey. We made it with plenty of time to spare.

After I reserved tickets for the temple I contacted Aunt Debbie to see if we could stop and visit her in Springville on the way home. She was happy to accommodate us and we made plans. Well a week later she informs me that they had tickets for the temple the same day just 15 minutes after us! I was so excited. 

We went in at the time we reserved but asked if we could wait for the next one so we could go through with Aunt Debbie, Uncle Leon and Jen. Everything went really well. I was so glad I wouldn't be herding my kids around by myself. Aunt Debbie and Jen carried Reyen for me the whole tour so I could focus on the other 5 kids. I was worried about Reyen crying but she did great and Aunt Debbie said she only made noise when we were in the Celestial room of the temple. Probably talking to Jesus.

These are my attempts to get pictures of my kids. I wanted individual pictures of each kid but that didn't happen.

The temple was beautiful, maybe one of my favorite ones. There was stained glass everywhere. I wish I could have spent more time inside. I absolutely loved seeing it with my children, feeling the Spirit and sacredness of this building. The children tried to see everything and touch it too. They had lots of questions.

This was the first time we have seen a facet like this at a temple. It was pretty cool. Aunt Debbie wanted us to get pictures of it. The kids loved it, maybe too much.

It was so fun going through with family and I'm so thankful things worked out the way they did. We loved spending time with Uncle Leon and Aunt Debbie and for treating us to lunch. It was perfect for my kids. They loved Jen and all the attention they got. Now my kids want to visit them more!

I am so grateful for the temple and the blessings it brings to me and my family. I love being able to drive 7 minutes to walk the temple grounds with my children or spending time there by myself and feelings God's love for me. I feel his love so strong there and know he has a plan for me and wants to help me. Temples remind me of a Father's love for his children and desire for our happiness.

Loving outside

Reyen loves to be outside. Sisters having fun on the trampoline.

One afternoon the boys were playing with some kind of cards. Reyen wanted to play too.

The boys tried moving away from Reyen but she followed them.

Loving these cute chubby legs.

Sad Elliot wasn't happy because he didn't get his turn on the tramp by himself.

Mother's Day from far away

Since we can't send you things from far away we thought we'd take pictures of what we would send you. Happy mother's day mom/grandma! We love you so much and miss you!

From Rylan

From Elliot and Camden

From Elsie, Camden & Elliot

This was Elsie and my attempt to do a mother's day song but it didn't work out so well. We did try but some boys were not cooperative. It wasn't going well so we did individual ones instead.

From Elsie

From Elliot

 We hope you have a wonderful day! We love you!

Vidoes: My children are growing up

Reyen started crawling at 9 months. I thought you might want to see this girl in action. Who cares about walking, crawling is much faster.
Reyen loves to dance. When she hears music she dances. It makes me smile to see the joy music brings to her. We might have a dancer here.

Life of a kindergartner doing homework.

Visiting the temple!

Camden loves to see the temples. We don't often make the time to actually go and walk around. He has been asking to go so we scheduled it in and made it. It was a nice sunny day at the Oquirrh Mountain temple.

As we walked around the temple Elliot asked if we could touch the temple. Every time we go I encourage the kids to touch the temple and it will touch them. Next step, get pictures for each child to go in their room. Goal: go to the temple often with the kids and not wait until they ask to go.

This was one of the temples the kids have been able to go into when it was first built. I think Camden was just a baby then. What a great blessing it is to share such sweet moments and memories with my children. I am so excited the Payson temple is now open to view and we can see another beautiful house of the Lord.