Not so quick trip to Lehi

Saturday morning Taylor's mom called and said that Great Grandpa Dearden wasn't doing well. The nurse said that he had a mini stroke. Aunt Marian was in Ogden helping her daughter, Ericka, move in and she didn't have a car, so we volunteered to drive her to Lehi. The trip was VERY long because of a tipped over semi-truck on I-15.

It was a good trip, Grandpa Dear improved greatly and is doing fine. In the course of the day we learned that Ericka was not happy with the place she thought she was going to rent so she ended up staying with us for a week while she found a better place.

Carter riding bikes with cousins, glad they are wearing helmuts!

I don't really remember why I took this picture, but we were on I-15 FOREVER trying to get to Lehi, but at least Aleeya was happy!

While we were there visiting, Aleeya took her first official step.

Tree House Museum

We went to the Tree House Museum in Ogden and had such a good time that we bought a pass for the year, I am sure we will visit here a lot during the winter. Serena and Aleeya at a train set, this is right as you enter and where we spend a lot of time.

Riding the fire truck, to the rescue!

Aleeya loves stuffed animals, even if they are bigger than she is!

Yee-haw!

Carter and Serena in school, so fun to watch them take turns being the teacher.

Relief Society Swap and Service Night

Aleeya helping set up the items.

Tons of things to share!

For Relief Society, we organized a swap night, I was amazed at all the items we had to share. We had a huge trailer of things left that we were able to donate to a garage sale that was a fundraiser for our friends the Baxter's.

We also colored and cut and laminated educational folders for the Humanitarian Center.

Thanksgiving Point Farm Land

Picking vegetables from the "garden."

Aleeya climbing into the "garden."

Ride on the hay wagon.

We took advantage of $2.00 Tuesdays at Thanksgiving Point and went to their farm land. We meet Aunt Crystal and cousin, Alana, and had a great time. The favorite activity was the display where they could pick foods (wooden pictures) from gardens and trees and bushes and then send them on a conveyor belt to the store.

We rode on a hay wagon, feed chickens and enjoyed a nice time looking at the animals. We got there early and I am SO glad, about the time we were done it was getting really crowded and there were huge lines to get in.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication

Taylor and I were able to attend a dedicatory session for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. I wish I had taken notes to help me remember, my mind and body are pretty tired, but I did remember that they told the youth to write about this in their journal, so I thought I would write a note.

The main point that has stuck in my mind is that we can have the same qualities that are in the temple in our individual lives and homes. I have heard before that our homes should be like the temple, but I thought it was interesting that as they listed the differences between the temple and the world, that we should also apply this to us as individuals. Particularly, I want my life to "Be Still." I love all I am doing, but I want to make sure I am taking time to know God and make sure my doing is what is His will. This scripture has been on my mind for the last few weeks, so I think that is another reason that I was drawn to this point.

Raft River Idaho

Serena, want to go on the slide, "No, I scared!"

We had a great family get away with our friends the McBride's, Parry's, Phair's, Wood's and about 50 other people that we became friends with! This place is amazing! There were two huge water slides and a zip line and camping was awesome with a beautiful lawn for the tent, shaded picnic tables, fire pit and flushing toilets.

We went on Thursday night with the McBride's and I loved chatting with them on the walkie-talkie's. Taylor and I learned how to play "Ticket to Ride" and I stayed up way later than I normally do!

Friday Carter spent the ENTIRE day going down the water slide. Serena wouldn't go on it at all, she said she was scared. Aleeya went down a few times with both Taylor and I and didn't seem to really have an opinion, just went with the flow.

Saturday was more playing and then we drove home. When we first started out I told Taylor I needed a 20 minute power nap and then I would chat. I asked if he was tired and he said he was fine. So, every time I started to sleep the van would swerve, I keep asking if things were good and I figured it was because Taylor was reaching for graham crackers. So about an hour into the drive James McBride, who we were following, pulled into a convenience store. He said that he kept falling asleep and needed a drink. Well, I guess the same was true of Taylor, he just told James that, not me! I guess it is part of the male code, never admit to your wife you are tired! So then the rest of the trip we talked on the walkie-talkies and everyone stayed awake.

The kids slept most of the way home, but at one point Carter kept complaining that we weren't following the McBride's apparently, they have to be in the lead! James is very "spatially aware," so the role of leader must fall to him!

Overall, a wonderful, relaxing fun time. Thank you to all who scheduled and planned and prepared, we are sure glad that you let us join you!

North Park Ward Summer BBQ and Bike Parade

After driving back from Raft River we went to the ward Ice Cream Social and bike parade, they had games and face painting for the kids.

Check out the cool outfit Carter chose for the bike parade.
I love how cute Serena looks sitting on Jeffrey's lap.