"I Love To See the Temple"

"I love to see the temple. I'm going there someday

To feel the Holy Spirit, To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God, A place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young:

This is my sacred duty."

The words to a familiar primary song that all my grandchildren sing often.

I wanted to make that happen when they announced the open house of the Ogden Utah Temple

Amazingly the open house was held when all 8 of our grandchildren were going to be in town 

so as soon as they became available I got the tickets for all of us.

Here is our cute family.  

Notice we look like a polygamist family because not one of the dads of the kids were in town, 

but the important part to me was getting the children to see 

and feel the importance of the temple.

It was absolutely beautiful.  

The night became a little crazy and overwhelming 

so I'm not sure the impact was what I had anticipated, 

but hopefully they will remember being there

and want to return when they are older.

The fountains and grounds are wonderful.

How precious are these little ones?

I will never be the grandma with the clean house or the fresh baked goodies.

I won't even be the one who spends lots of money buying them "Things".

BUT I will be the one who will help them experience this amazing world 

that we have been blessed to live in.

I want them to love animals, nature and the wonders of the earth.

Their talents and natural curiosities need to be developed and expressed.

 I want them to be exposed to cultural events and activities.

Their educational pursuits will always be encouraged by me.

Most importantly they need to be strong in their testimonies of who they are.

My job as a grandma is to help them KNOW that they are a Child of God.

I want them to Be Strong and Unwavering as they face this world each day.

That is my job as a Grandma.  

Wild and Wonderful Summer

All of the visiting grandchildren have returned home.  (Sigh)  Carly and the kids were here for the entire summer and Carrie and the kids came for a few days in August so many incredible memories were made.  We have had so many fun times but it's time for them to be with their own little families.

Because I have been a slacker I'm just going to do a photo dump of all the fun we have had.

One morning we went early to Farmington Pond to feed the ducks and geese.

 Blake and Callie did a zoo class.  Amy and I got to attend with them.

One day when Carrie was here we went to The Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point.

It was amazing and they even had activities for little Logan to do.

Their water activities definitely required special water gear. 

 A stage for our budding actresses.

You can experience all kinds of weather.  I think this was a tornado that they are involved with.

Notice that big girl in the back.  Jessi sure is fun to have with us!! She is one of the kids.

All of the Crosland girls.  What a great day.

You've got to go for lunch when we're all together

We did another zoo day with Lucy, Clara and Daisy

Pure joy riding the zoo train.

Of course we went to Aunt Cheryl's Cabin, or as the kids call her--Grandma Cheryl

 Riding in the side by side

 Bath Time for Logan

 

The 4th of July Celebration fell in the summer somewhere.

The Kaysville Parade

Waiting for  Kaysville Fireworks

The Adults need to be seen sometimes.

Swimming at Cherry Hill was almost a weekly activity.

One day we were gifted "King of the Hill" passes and we got to do bumper boats and the maze.

What a stud.

Logan is so patient as long as he has treats.

Maybe our goggles were on too tight.

 Love Love Love the Pool

Every time we are there it is a wonderful day in the sun

We got to celebrate together at Mackayla's Birthday Party.

Davis County Fair---Can't miss it

They love the petting zoo.

And the Carnival Rides.

 These two are the best little friends I have ever seen.  

No matter where we go they are together holding hands.

Not only cousins but Best Friends.

Gone Fishin'

The cute guys that work for Jeff always give us an incredible Christmas gift.  They are so good and kind to us, but then I think Jeff is a remarkable employer.  

This year we received a guided fly fishing trip on the Green River.  

The wives at our Christmas Dinner were afraid I would not like it, 

but I was thrilled because Jeff has told me for years how beautiful floating the Green River is.

A couple of years ago I made a "55 Things to do while I was 55"

and one of them was learning to fly fish which I didn't accomplish that year

 so this was a great place to learn.

 Isn't he handsome?  Love that little mischievous smile.

We had a guide Extraordinaire!!

Cody Banks.  

He has been a guide at Green River for 17 years and he is only 34.

He was amazing.  He taught me well.

My very first fish caught on a fly rod.  

I actually caught several that day.

I'm a little spoiled now with fly fishing because we started at the top.

I always want to fish on the Green River with a guide!!

Jeff of course, was an expert already, but I think he learned several helpful hints from Cody.

  The Green River was absolutely stunning.  

The water is pristine and the Canyon is beautiful.

What an incredible day and experience.

Thanks UCP guys for a wonderful gift.

Until next summer, I hope to go back.

Big Boy Toys

Jeff has two new toys.  I love them both.  Actually I guess right now I have a love hate relationship with one of them.  The one goes potty in my house and chews my shoes, but he is adorable.

 Toy #1:  Our new side by side.  I love it because we can talk with each other as we go 4-wheeling

We actually got the street package on it so we can drive it around town, which we do often.

The kennel in the back is a clue to our other toy.

Toy # 2:  Our new dog Bo.  He is a German Wirehaired Pointer.

We picked him out a few weeks before he could come home with us.

As we got in the car Jeff turned to me and said "His name will be Blue"

I agreed because this is his toy.

The next day Jeff informed me that the name Blue was too long so he would be known as BO.

B-O not Beau--Bo

Bo, at 12 weeks, already hard at work to be a remarkable hunter!!

He was bred and is being raised to hunt.