Antelope Island

We took a side trip to Antelope Island on our way to Idaho Falls. We had to walk down a sandy hill to get to the island, which was shallow for quite a ways, salty, and buggy. I was prepared with bug spray, but didn't think of sunscreen. We didn't stay long, but it was hot, and we waded in our clothes. Salt water doesn't leave you very comfortable when it dries out.


Elijah did not want to walk here.


Ellen, Jack, and Rose would have stayed longer.


I was thinking about how far we had to walk back.



Jack and I unrolled a bunch of sand out of our pants, and Rose rode the rest of the way to Idaho in a shirt and diaper because her pants got so wet. We've walked in the Great Salt Lake!

Bingham Canyon Mine

After spending the morning at Temple Square, we drove to the west side of the Salt Lake Valley to check out Rio Tinto's Kennecott Utah Copper Bingham Canyon Open Pit Copper Mine. It's over 100 years old.


Jack just asked the kids if they wanted to go see some big dump trucks. We took our second family picture in one day!


We'd be the size of a bug next to the dump truck itself.


I couldn't believe I had never been there before.


The view was amazing, the visitor's center was engaging, and it was all very interesting. That shadow is a cloud going by.


Contemplating the mysteries of the universe, as always.

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.

Salt Lake City, Utah

May 2007

While we're waiting

for our May conference issue of the Ensign to arrive, take a look at what we were doing last year in May.

One of Ellen's favorite Primary songs is "Me encanta ver el templo" (I Love to See the Temple).







This was pretty much the energy level of our 18-month-old through out our visit to see family in Utah and Idaho. She really got into waving at people on Temple Square. And running around with her hands up in the air.



And 3-month-old Jack didn't quite know what to think of it all, but he was generally happier than this picture portrays.