Gilbert Temple Open House

Yesterday we had the opportunity to attend the Gilbert Temple Open House.  Crowds of curious people and long lines were expected... but it was worth every minute of our seven hour trip - especially on such a beautiful winter morning.  We thought it would be great to take the kids inside so they could see all of the rooms, not just the baptismal font where they can go when they're 12.  The girls were just babies (23 and 7 months old) when they entered the temple for the first time in Manti Utah, so naturally they don't remember the experience.  And all three of them have been outside on the temple grounds of several temples while Sam and I went inside for ordinance work.  Since Freckle Face turned 12, she's had the pleasure of doing baptisms in both the Gila Valley and Mesa Temples here in Arizona and she was excited to be able to count this newly completed one with the others.  She was eager to show her brother and sister what she knew about the temple.  We met some friends from our ward there, the Gardner family, and were able to go through the tour with some familiar faces.  Buggy found her place being a 'big helper' to the Gardner's three little kids.  I knew it was going to be a bit much for the introvert in me with the big crowds and so much to see and reflect on, so I didn't really plan to take any pictures but I did bring my camera just in case.  The Gardeners were nice enough to snap a couple pictures of our family after the tour.

To see more images of the temple and to learn more about the purpose of temples, visit the links below:
Gilbert Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
First Look Inside
The Purpose Of Temples

Have a great weekend everybody!
XOXO - Jess

Goin' For A Ride {favorite friday}

[New Mexico, 2004]

Today's {favorite friday} image is a snap shot of the kids at ages 4,3+1, navigating Freckle Face's Barbie Jeep through the rough terrain along the edge of Cannon AFB golf course which was just outside our back yard gate.  This was one of their favorite daily activities.

Invitation To Compete

Last week Buggy interviewed for a spot at the National American Miss pageant and they called her back with an invitation to compete this summer at the 2014 Miss Arizona Pre-Teen Pageant.  Can you say EX.CI.TED!!!  This means that over the next couple of months we will be brushing up on etiquette and presentation and everything in between.

So stay tuned, there's more to come.
- Jess

Hot Rod - Pack 313 Pinewood Derby

I made the decision awhile back that when it comes to certain activities the kids are involved in, it's best for me to leave the camera at home and not worry about taking pictures.  When I did take my camera I felt like I was missing the fun because I was too busy trying to capture everything.  Besides, I couldn't really get the kind of pictures I wanted without being a nuisance or a distraction to everyone around me.  Anyways... this was one of those activities where we just take a picture afterwards and enjoy our time while there. 

Monkey Boy's certificate was the "Hot Rod Award" and although he didn't have a very fast car again this year, he didn't seem to mind much - I think he really only participates because that's what his troop is doing that week for their scout activity.  He won 3rd place for Webelos and gets to go on to the Regional Pinewood Derby next weekend.  (I should mention the placement was by default as there are actually only three boys in his group).  He doesn't expect to win any races at regional, but he's excited to go see all the really cool car designs and find out who does win.  (Did I also mention we live in an area full of engineer nerds? Not that it matters but I think that's part of the reason his pinewood derby cars just aren't competitively fast... that, and he just doesn't have much interest in it).

- Jess

First Flight - Wright Flight Tucson

After four months of  "training" Monkey Boy finished up his Wright-Flight program and was able to take his first flight today.   I was a bit worried because Arizona has had unusually pleasant weather this winter and we hadn't seen clouds or rain in months.  Sure enough, Grandma Hall comes to visit from up north and she brought along more winter-like conditions.  The kids were fortunate enough to have the skies calmed down by the time they were ready to fly.  I am still trying to figure out what kind of plane he co-piloted, so I'll fill in the details later but if you want to learn more about the wonderful organization that puts this program all together visit the Wright Flight link here.