Ice Castles in Midway

We got a peek at the beginnings of this beautiful creation when we came up for our anniversary, so we decided to come back when it opened up so we could walk through it.  Totally worth it.  It was so cool! And pretty! And cold!
We went with my mom and dad…they live right down the street from this beauty.  There were a lot of people, but it wasn’t too crowded. It looked like the big crowds were coming just as we left.  Good timing.
         
    
This was above us as we walked out…so pretty. And a little scary. 
We drove by the Homestead on our way back to Zermatt and saw their ice fountain.  It looked pretty all lit up.

We had dinner with Mom and Dad and a nice visit.  When we left, the kids were asleep before we even got to the end of the first road.  It’s tough work to have this much fun!!

Christmas Eve!

Yes, it’s here!  Todd and Liz offered to host Christmas Eve this year.  Joe and I decided to pass since we did Thanksgiving.  Since they are living in Mom and Dad’s house, they are a pretty central location. 
Liz did a great thing, instead of exchanging gifts in a white elephant game, we all brought gifts for two Sub-For-Santa families.  We had ages and sizes and it was fun for my kids (and me) to pick out clothes and toys, and wrap them up for these cute families. 
We had good food, we played some fun games, and I laughed and laughed with my dear family.  Lori and Nathan were there even though they both recently had surgery…and Derrick is home!!  It was fun to see him again and hear about some of his adventures in Ukraine. 
Dad is such a good grandpa, and Rowdy loves him!
I’m grateful for a family that I love and that I have fun with.  We had a lovely day together and were able to deliver some of the gifts on our way home.  I was so glad Liz arranged that, it was a wonderful way to celebrate Christ’s birth.  My kids enjoyed giving way more then they have ever enjoyed receiving.
We had one more special gift.  We invited Mom and Dad to stay with us tonight so they didn’t have drive clear up to Midway tonight.  Since they were going to be back down tomorrow, they accepted our offer. I was so glad!!  We read Luke 2, sang Silent Night, and had a nice quiet evening together. 

We’re ready for the Big Day!

Thanksgiving, part deux.

Thanksgiving was great, then that evening we got a visit from the stomach flu.  Gross.  Koko, Camri, and Beau were out.  The timing was poor since we were having Pulsipher Thanksgiving on Friday, and we hosted it at our church.  They mostly slept all morning, and missed most of the party, but they did join us for a little while at the end…in a quarantined Primary room across the hall.  I felt bad for them, they were pretty sick.
In the meantime, we ate and talked and had a grand time.  Lisa and Scott and family were here from Kentucky, Eric was here from New York, and Kevin and Lorchin and family were here from Colorado.  We had a representative from every family, and even a few extras…

   Liz saw me taking this picture and posed for me. Cute!Lisa’s family stayed with us Thursday and Friday night…we had so much fun and even got a little Black Friday shopping in.  I love this crazy family of mine!
Happy Thanksgiving!!

Time and all eternity

One of the best things in this life is to attend a temple sealing for someone you love.  I was able to go see Arianna and Jason get sealed in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple for time and all eternity.  What made it more amazing?  They are expecting their first little baby!
Dad performed the ceremony and it was very sweet and tender.  One thing he said really struck me.  After the sealing, usually they have the couple look in the mirrors.  Because there is a mirror on each side of the room, the reflection goes on forever.  Looking behind you symbolizes those who have come before you, our beloved ancestors.  Looking ahead symbolizes your progeny and eternal progression.  Dad said, “Look in the mirrors.  You’ll notice that if you look at directly at yourself, your view becomes blocked and you can’t see very far.  You get in your own way.  But, if you look at your spouse, you can see forever.” When our sights are set on our loved ones and not ourselves, eternity is easier to see and we don’t get in our own way.  I love that idea. 

I love this cute family…congratulations Nana!!

Scarecrows in Midway

On Friday, Oct. 18, the kids didn’t have school so we decided to take a quick jaunt up to Midway and spend the day up there.  Zermatt has a small scarecrow competition, so we walked around and picked our favorites.  Annie loved that she was the same size as this Spiderman…  
Just having a little picnic with their friends…  
We walked over to Homestead and climbed to the top of the crater…it was a perfect, beautiful day!  
We went inside the crater and the kids felt the warm water. One day, we’ll get in, but at $16 a pop we may have to save up first. There were scuba divers, of course, but there were also some people floating around in life jackets…nice!
It’s so pretty up here, I love it more every time I come. It was a wonderful way to spend the day.  We love Grandma and Grandpa! They fed us lunch, played with us, and we had a nice visit.
Giddyup kids, happy staycation day!