Excursions│Autumn 2012

The first weekend of fall we headed on a couple of little excursions. 

We really wanted to see the leaves changing colors. 

I thought that perhaps Ensign Peak would be a good place but it wasn't quite what I had envisioned. 

It was fun nonetheless, and we enjoyed a beautiful day outside. 

Some days are really smoggy here in the valley. 

You don't realize how bad it is when you are in the city, but as you can see, it can get pretty bad. 

The trail wasn't very long, but man! it was steep!

Brooke doesn't know quite what to think...

It was a nice little hike, not particularly 'beautiful' in an autumn sort of way...but it made for a good Saturday activity as a family. 

Braden-"the monkey."

The view of the valley was beautiful.

It was much easier coming down!

Ensign Peak is right by the Capitol, hopefully we'll go on a tour of it one of these days. 

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While talking to our landlord after getting back from Ensign Peak, he told me that the best place to go see the autumn leaves is Mill Creek Canyon. 

We decided to head up there Sunday after Church. 

It was just what I wanted!

It is so gorgeous up there. 

Brielle's cheesiest smile!:)

The fall foliage was so vibrant and beautiful. 

There are so many trails at Mill Creek Canyon. 

We chose Porter Fork Trail randomly. 

It was paved, which was nice for the kids.

Brielle and Braden are good little hikers.  

They rarely complain. 

I love being able to experience the seasons. 

Winter is just around the corner though, 

but for now we are just enjoying my favorite time of the year! 

Thoughtful and Genuine.

Something magical happens at dinnertime around here and it consistently amuses me...  

(I wonder if this is the reason that it is statistically proven that families that eat together, stay together....)
I don't know what it is about dinnertime, but my children share with me their deepest thoughts and concerns about their little world.  

It is quite special and I treasure these moments dearly.  

Today was particularly interesting...

I have to give a bit of a preface to the story...mornings are hectic in this house.  

I'm sure it is similar for most who have school age children; 

trying to get children out the door every day is quite the job, 

some days it seems like an odyssey.  

I must confess, that at times I am not at my best, I get impatient and frazzled.  

Especially when I feel like the children are moving in slow motion, 

and I'm trying to get everyone out the door.  

This morning was like most mornings, except today, 

I ran out of time and didn't get to do Brielle's hair.  

While eating dinner today, Brielle was sharing her feelings about the fact that I didn't do her hair this morning.
She shared that she had felt embarrassed and sad because all of her little friends had braids and pony tails and she didn't.  

Then in a very thoughtful and genuine way Braden informed her, 

"Brielle, I like your hair the way it is, I think you are beautiful." 

The thoughtfulness of his remarks made me teary-eyed.  

How does a 5 year old get this thoughtful? 

...and not only thoughtful but the sincerity of his voice and tone.  

He really meant it...and I could tell it meant a lot to Brielle. 

It was one of those moments that I felt deeply thankful that I can experience this life with them. 

They make my life full. 

Brigham City Temple Open House.

We were so blessed to go to the Brigham City Temple Open House a few weeks ago.  

It is not often that we get the chance to walk through the temple with our little children. 

We wanted Brielle and Braden to be inside the temple and feel the special Spirit within. 

It was worth the hour drive there and it was a special time for our family.

The temple is magnificent on the outside and amazingly beautiful on the inside. 

Scott and I kept marveling at the beauty of the furnishings and paintings and every detail architecturally and in decoration.  It was simply beautiful. 

But aside from the beauty of the structure, it is the feelings that we had that were also so special. 

I'm glad we were able to experience this as a family.

Elder Eyring's talk in General Conference of his grandson, who asked, 'where is Jesus?' when they went to the open house made me laugh, because that is exactly what Braden asked.   

'Are we going to see Jesus?  

I had to break the news that he wasn't going to see Him with his eyes, but that he might feel His presence. 

It was an interesting discussion. 

After going through the open house, we walked around the temple grounds. 

Brielle was quite disappointed that she didn't get to see the bride's room.  

It was such a busy day that day, that the bride's room wasn't part of the tour. 

Braden cracks me up in this picture...!:)

The Brigham City Temple Open House is an experience we will treasure as a family. 

A Visit to Idaho.

The first weekend in September, the children and I headed to Idaho.  

Ryan and Kara were visiting from Cleveland and we decided to head there for the weekend.  

We were excited that we got to go to the fair.  

It was the first time Brielle and Braden had experienced it and it was fun for them that Christopher and Nathanial were there too.

It's always fun for Brielle and Braden to see their cousins.  

I'm glad that we were only a drive away and they got to see them.  

Hopefully they'll have this memory. 

Grandpa Clay got tickets for all the kids to go on some rides.  

They were so happy! 

Thanks Grandpa!

They rode on quite a few rides and had a blast. 

Emily and Brooke were becoming acquainted. 

The older children were having a blast!

After the rides, we sat down to rest. 

Man! Those kids have so much energy. 

I think they could have gone on another round of rides, if it would have been up to them! :)

 

Brookie was tired by now...

Brielle and Braden had a fun time trying these 'crazy' hats on. 

We had to have some fair food.  

It was good and oh so unhealthy!

I loved every bite of my gyro and fries. 

Brooke was so exhausted, all she wanted to do was cuddle and be held. 

Penny was so sweet and was willing to hold her while I ate.

The fair didn't disappoint. 

We all had a blast and enjoyed it. 

Hopefully next year, Scott will be able to make it. 

The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing...

We headed to the park with Clay, Great-grandma and Penny. 

It was a beautiful Idaho day. 

Idaho summers are so perfect. 

While I was pushing Brooke on the swing, someone called my name...I realized it was two familiar faces.  Brother Ivers and his sweet wife.  Brother Ivers was one of my professors at BYU-Idaho and later became my boss when I taught there.  He also became a mentor.  He is just the salt of the earth.  What an amazing man he is and his wife is the sweetest woman too.  He was always and continues to be so encouraging.  He is the kind of person that will make you feel good about yourself.  I love being around him because I always leave feeling uplifted.  I am so blessed to know him and have been associated with him when I taught at BYU-Idaho. 

I'm so glad, I randomly saw him at the park!

What a wonderful coincidence! 

It made my day!

Sunday came all too quickly and it was time to say goodbye.  

It was a quick but fun visit to Idaho. 

Glad we got see everyone and spend time together. 

Brielle│The Performer

For you Kemchu!:)