Nauvoo Temple

We went to the Nauvoo Temple before moving on in our trip.

The temple was built before the Saints left to move West.

Then the temple was burned down and later demolished by a tornado.

The rebuilding of the temple was announced while I was on my mission in 1999.

While I was in graduate school, I traveled during Spring Break with friends.

Later Sweetheart and I drove across the United States when I moved East, 

and we visited again in 2005.

This year the boys came to the temple.

We shared the story about how family helped build the temple.

Aunt Katie and Miss Sunshine Rae posed together.

Mr. Tiger wasn't ready to pose.

Miss Sunshine Rae would pick flowers and dance around the temple.

She was so happy. We loved being with her.

Oklahoma City Temple

After the Memorial, I took the boys to see the Oklahoma City Temple.

They didn't know where we were going.

When we pulled into the parking lot, each boy said,

"I see Angel Moroni."

They looked at the temple and said,

"It's really small."

The temple looks like it might be smaller
than the chapel that shares the same lot. 

Small temples are wonderful.

Gordan B. Hinckley taught about why all temples are important.

We are thankful for the promises that temples hold for 

FAMILIES TO BE TOGETHER FOREVER.

I am so happy to have this travel experience with the boys.

I want to be with them forever.

Find Peace

In our lives we will have temptations; we will have trials and challenges. As we go to the temple, as we remember the covenants we make there, we will be better able to overcome those temptations and to bear our trials. In the temple we can find peace.

~ Thomas S. Monson

Blessings of the Temple

Date Night

We went on a date.

We had a good time.

Temple Lights

On our way home from Pinetop, Arizona, 

we went to the LDS Mesa Temple 

to view the temple lights. 

The lights were turned on Friday evening.

We watched a 3 minute video about the greatest Gift.

The boys took our picture.

Here is a picture of a Bird of Paradise.

Phoenix Temple

Since we'd been on a family adventure,

Sweetheart couldn't join us to go and see the new temple.

We checked Underfoot out of school 1 hour early

and drove to Phoenix to see the temple.

The temple had a photo booth set up for taking pictures.

The boys were excited. 

We were shuttled on a bus and were the only passengers.

The Celestial room was an oval shape.

We all thought that was cool.

Supper was out even with ice cream.

We missed our Daddy but are grateful to see the temple.

Wedding

Sweetheart and I attended a wedding. 

We were able to see Sweetheart's sister and family.

We love to go to the temple.

We love to remember that we were married in the temple.

We are grateful that our family has potential.

A family can be forever.

KT sent me a bunch of my Grandma Kirkham and Grandma Smith's jewelery.

I usually don't wear necklaces.

This necklace made everything pop!

Thanks KT for making it happen.

We were asked to helped with the reception.

The boys came along and built an awesome tower.

The boys were perfect!

I love my family!

Mesa Temple

When we attend the temple,

Sweetheart and I take turns.

I take my camera and take pictures.

Usually we watch a video in the Visitors' Center 

to take advantage of the air conditioning.

We decided to hang outside this day. 

Hurricane wanted to run and run and run.....

Underfoot wanted to read his book.

Reading is an adventure to him.

I even let Hurricane take pictures.

Here are a few of the fun ones...

Jared's Wedding

Sweetheart flew to SLC after work on Friday. Y and A, his sister and brother-in-law, picked up Sweetheart from the airport and went to supper with B and M, his brother and sister-in-law. They talked about family, the family reunion, and future plans. They thought it was a lot of fun to be together.

Sweetheart attended Jared and Mckenzie's wedding on Saturday. Jared and Sweetheart were roommates at BYU. We are super excited for the couple! After the wedding, Sweetheart was chauffeured around by Kevin and Ashley. Kevin, Jared, and Sweetheart were roommates. He loved seeing family and friends!

Grapefruit

On our way back from the Grand Canyon,

we stopped at the Mesa Temple.

On the Temple Grounds, fruit trees are scattered on the whole lot.

Mostly citrus trees are there.

The temple has a fruit picker, and anyone can pick the fruit.

Hurricane wanted to pick the fruit.

Hurricane wanted to eat the fruit right then.

His reaction was awesome.

He likes grapefruit like his Mom likes grapefruit.

His pucker is super cute.

Even his eye pucks up.

Underfoot on the other hand likes grapefruit like his Dad.

He never puckers up. He eats grapefruit like an apple.

Grapefruit is one of his favorite treats.

What a great blessing to have such diverse boys.

Gilbert, Arizona Temple Open House

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is hosting an open house 

for Gilbert, Arizona Temple.

We decided to go as a family and invited our cousins and sister to go with us. 

At the temple, there is a video before a volunteer tour guide takes a group 

through to view the 4 story temple. 

Before entering the temple, little booties were put on each person's feet 

to help protect the white carpets through the building. 

Hurricane and Underfoot thought the booties were slippery on the marble floors.

The building and interior are beautiful with stain glass, paintings, and the colors.

I decided to take the boys back again to see the temple on a 1/2 day the next week.

 

We noticed the use of the agave plant 

throughout the flooring, stain glass, door knobs, hand railings, paintings, 

and even the water fall outside the temple. 

The agave has the older leaves on the outside to support the younger leaves on the inside. 

Similar to grandparents and parents 

supporting, teaching, and guiding 

their children as they grow up to support the next generation.

Underfoot loved the 18 foot chandelier in Celestial room

and the eternity mirrors (one mirror on this side, one mirror on that side of the room.)

Hurricane 's favorite rooms were the "baptize" room and "marriage" room.

The boys loved both adventures.