Temple Square

We spent a Monday morning at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake Temple was closed for maintenance, so we couldn't go right up and touch it, but we did get close.


This model of the interior of the temple stood right inside the visitor's center next to the temple.


We spotted the sun, phases of the moon, stars, and constellations on the temple. I took this picture to help the kids see the big dipper on one side.


Elijah loved walking and walking, when we let him out of the stroller. He's checking out the compass points.


Ellen and Jack climbed up, and Rose wanted to be in the picture, too. So sweet.


Building blocks at the interactive Book of Mormon exhibit for kids at the Museum of Church History and Art: Jack built his own temple.


Rose mixed up some Primary songs in the sound booth.


Ellen spent a good 45 minutes following the dancers in the video and perfecting her steps.


Rose and I may have spent several songs there as well.


When Daddy asked Jack to turn around, he said, "I can't! I'm too distracted by the temple!"


Our first family picture in nearly a year! We're so glad families can be together forever.

Rose's view of Great-Grandma's house

Sunday afternoon Rose commandeered my camera to document a few things at my Grandma Jackson's house.

And by "a few things," I mean all of the toys, close up,

unfocused, individually.

I encouraged her to take a few photos of people, too.

She happily obliged.

My sweet grandma was the subject of many photos, and this was one of the best.

While we were watching the Olympics Opening Ceremonies, my husband mentioned that my grandma resembles the Queen of England. I don't know. My grandma smiles a whole lot more than the queen.

In which we visit family

We met up with my brothers Mark and Daniel, and Daniel's wife Nashelle in Provo. We all went to dinner and had our first authentic Cafe Rio experience, which was Saturday night crowded and fun and yummy. Then we went to Macey's (a grocery store) for 50 cent ice cream cones. The kid cones were actually 25 cents. And they were awesome and yummy, and Daniel and Nashelle relived their first date, but with two extra siblings, an in-law, two nieces, and two nephews. So it was basically nothing like their first date, except for the Macey's ice cream cones. And this is the only picture we took, in the parking lot as we were saying good-bye and it was very sunny.

We love you Mark, Daniel, and Nashelle. Thanks for hanging out with us with burritos and ice cream.

Arches National Park

On our way to Salt Lake City we stopped in Moab at Arches National Park.

We looked at rocks


And hiked around the rocks


And rested when we got tired


And waited at the bottom of the trail


And contemplated the natural geological forces that created the wonders


Of arches


And more arches


And more arches


And we hiked more and looked from afar and took pictures


And we were hot and exhausted


Seeing arches.

Genius

About a month ago we took a trip to visit family way out west. After a stay at Jack's grandparents' house north of Lubbock, we drove through New Mexico and part of Colorado before stopping to stay the night in a hotel that featured these sleeping arrangements:

Girls' bunk, Ellen on top


Rose below


Boys' bunk with Jack on top


In their own corner with a curtain and their own T.V.


Elijah got the pack n' play.


They got dressed in record time so they could watch Word World before breakfast and getting back in the car.

Route 66

Route 66
by Bobby Troup

If you ever plan to motor west
Travel my way, take the highway that is best.
Get your kicks on route sixty-six.

It winds from Chicago to L.A., more than two thousand miles all the way.
Get your kicks on route sixty-six.

Well, it goes through St. Louis,
Joplin, Missouri; Oklahoma City looks oh, so pretty;
You'll see Amarillo; Gallup, New Mexico
Flagstaff, Arizona; don't forget Winona,
Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino.

Won't you get hip to this kindly tip,
And take that California trip.
Get your kicks on route sixty-six.

Cadillac Ranch, take 2

Last year:


This year:


Last year:


This year:


Last year:


This year:


Leaving a little graffiti (because who gives spray paint to a 6-year-old?)

The best places on the planet

Grandpa's barn.








Grandpa's wagon.










Grandpa's wheelbarrow.