Hanging out with Brady & Zoie

 Hanging out with Brady and Zoie is definitely one of our favorite things to do.  After a bum trip to Boondocks a few week ago, we promised them go karts somewhere else.  Today we took them to Toads and they all had a blast on the go karts, playing laser tag, and in the arcade.  The mini golf was not too popular, but we all had a great time doing all the other things.  We are in a very rainy pattern right night, which is fine, especially when I have people to join me in puddle jumping.  And the best part of a rainstorm (besides the thunder) is when we get a rainbow as the sun comes back out.  

Brigham City Temple

Krissy, Eden, and I went to Brigham City this evening to go to the temple.  I had not been to a session at this temple before and I love going to different temples.  We are so blessed in Utah to have so many.  The grounds were beautiful and had just enough sunlight left after to take a few pictures of Eden before she leaves on her mission.  

 

Keys Please

 It finally happened.  After waiting forever and a few phone calls to the school, Gator finally had her road test and passed.  We went to the DMV today and she is now officially a licensed driver.  And now to call the insurance and pay for a teen driver again.  

A Spring Day

 Even though it looks dark and stormy, it was a nice warm day to go to the park and fly kites and play.  We are supposed to get more rain tomorrow though, the clouds are already moving in.  

Starstruck

Owen found out that his work has season tickets to an event center in Idaho Falls.  That means free tickets to a ton of different events.  And since rodeos and concerts are his jam, he is so excited about this.  Saturday they went to a PBR event and Owen sent me a picture.  Look at that smile.  I don't know who the gentleman is with them, but apparently he is "THE stock contractor.  He is the stock contracting GOAT".  

On the Farm

If I had said yes, we'd have a baby goat right now, and it's home would have been right in Gator's room.  Willow and the occasional dog we are babysitting is plenty for me.  I do enjoy going to the zoo or the farm to look at the animals, but no more pets for me.  

Still Winter

Lu wanted to try skiing again so her and Carrie invited Gator along and Gator jumped at the chance to go skiing.  The mountains got a ton of snow this year, and it is still snowing up there.  

 

Spring Break

 After we completed Gators goal of every Utah temple, we started looking at Idaho.  There are 9 (6 open) temples.  Utah took us a year to get to all 28 temples, but we planned the Idaho temples in a 3 day loop across southern Idaho.  Monday morning we left and saw the Burley temple, it is not quite done, and we plan to go up for the open house late this year or early next.  we drove to Twin Falls and went to a couple waterfalls.  We visited Perrine Coulee Falls and the Perrine Bridge over the Snake River.  Not too far away from there we went to see Lemmon Falls.  That was in Ritter Island State Park.  I want to go back and see more of this place.  It was so pretty.  The water in the pond was blue, and crystal clear.  There are many more waterfalls to see.  We stayed in Twin Falls Monday night and woke up Tuesday and went to the Twin Falls, Boise, and Meridian temples.  Tuesday night we stayed in Meridian and woke up Wednesday and drove 4 hours to Rexburg.  We were on a narrow mountain pass the whole way and I was scared we were going to get lost, but we ended up right where we needed to be.  And we drove right by Craters of the Moon National Monument.  This is a must go back and see, I have wanted to go visit this place and had no idea we were going to be driving right by it.  We walked into the baptistry in Rexburg and they had a young man in the font ready to baptize Gator.  I literally could see her heart smile when she saw this young man with Downs Syndrome.  After Rexburg we drove past the site for the new Teton River temple, also in Rexburg, and then drove to Idaho Falls.  We spent Wednesday night at Owen & Kylee's.  We went to dinner and played a game of Monopoly.  I love visiting Owen & Davis at their places.  It is fun having grown up children and getting to go visit with them in their homes and catch up on what they are doing.  Thursday we went to the Pocatello temple and took the long way home through Montpelier to see the temple being built there.  This way home took us right through Logan so we took Davis a burrito and a coke for lunch and said a quick hey.  We had such a fun road trip.  Gator drove most of the way, we listened to podcasts, ate way too much junk, and saw all the Idaho temples.  We had fun talking, laughing, and teasing each other, making lots of memories, never wanting spring break to end.  

By the beautiful flowers at the Boise temple

Gator was pretty water logged by this point, but she kept going

Stopping in Pocatello for the night.  After dinner, we played Owens favorite board game and one of the only ones he will play.  He loves Monopoly!

Gator got tons of driving practice in, she is ready if they ever call her for her road test 

Perrine Coulee falls

Perrine Bridge and Snake River

Ritter Island State Park, there were waterfalls everywhere and this water was so clear

Lemmon Falls

All the Idaho temples

Manti Temple Open House

 We didn't have school today, so we went to the Manti open house.  We invited Eden to go with us.  She is patiently waiting for May 6 to get here, that is when she starts the MTC.  We have to hang out with her as much as we can before she leaves.  There was a crazy long line for this one, but it went pretty quickly.  Much quicker than the drive home when I somehow missed a turn and ended up adding an extra hour to our drive.  It was a nice drive though.

Tried to find spring

I was being lazy in bed this morning when I got a text from Brady's mom asking if we wanted to meet up with her and Brady for a drink.  Well of course we did, and when Christine had to leave to help Brady's brother with something, we just kept Brady with us and went to pick up Zoie.  We went to the store to get some kites, bubbles, and a rocket to play with.  Spring was here when we went into the store, but by the time we came out, dark clouds had formed.  We kept with our plan to go play at a park, and we got a good hour in before the hail came and then rain.  We had enjoyed a little bit of "spring" then we went back to our house for some Xbox and dinner.  

Eternal Family Day

 This weekend was busy, but a good time to celebrate Eternal Family Day because Owen & Kylee were in town for Gator's party.  Officially Eternal Family Day is March 13, so Wednesday, but this afternoon was a great time to spend more time together.  We went over to Davis's.  He has a better space for all of us, and a whole kitchen which is nice to cook in a full kitchen sometimes.  I love my family.  I love the time we get to spend together.  I love that they will still celebrate March 13 with me.  I think I added a new part to this tradition yesterday with going to the temple.  That is where my eternal family began 25 years ago and what a blessing these people are to me.