a glimpse.

"The temple is the knot that ties heaven and Earth together."-Bruce C. Hafen

Grandma Cookie and Grandpa Donut have worked in the baptistry at the Draper Temple for 6 years and Grandpa told me no one from their family had come to see them, I decided to get a group together so we could. On a lovely Thursday afternoon, Sunni, Mom, Dad, Debbie, Jacob, Jimmy, Elizabeth, Cody, Ali, Bree and I all headed to the Mount of the Lord. We had such an awesome experience. Mom, Dad and Elizabeth were all performing proxy ordinances for the first time. Jacob  had just been ordained an Elder and was able to help with confirmations. Dad got to baptize me & Bree, Grandpa baptized mom. I sat back in the chapel and couldn't help but think that is what heaven must be like. Working and laughing (appropriately ha!) with those that you love. The temple always feels like the right place to be. Grandma couldn't have been more proud to walk around and tell everyone that would listen (probably more than once) who we were and what we were doing. Grandpa called the next day and left a heartfelt voice mail thanking me for putting it together. It was really special and not something I will soon forget.

2 in boots.

My tiny Lorenzo Niels! How can you already be 2?? This year in particular, so many have asked, "Is he turning 2 or 3?"-just seems like you have always been here. You are a big kid but still such a teeny little boy. At two you are by far our sassiest, most out spoken kid. You are a good eater- all food, all "dink", all the time. You LOVE LOVE LOVE brother's fireman boots and wear them any chance you get. They are rather smelly and you were given a new pair for your birthday but, you still want the old ones.  You love Mickey, "canny" (candy), saying "Kingston" over and over, playing, riding your bike, "bafs" (bath), "cycles", "tains" (trains),  and Daddy is your most favorite. You say lots of words and are super excited to point out anything you see from the car window (everything is a "haws" (horse) or a cycle). You are a master of getting out of your car seat. And are very stingy with your hugs and smooches but we sure work hard for them. We  love our "baby" boy. 

Boots, no "ponts"

Boot Man

This is you singing "Happy Bird-day" to yourself at Grandma Mary Ann's. Everyone had stopped singing and before you could focus on the candles, you had to sing one more verse to yourself. The room was quiet and everyone chuckled to hear you sing. 

Master Builder

Kingston was super excited to have an entire week of the summer from 9-12:00 set aside for lego building (I was pretty happy too- Lego messes NOT at my house).  It was kind of expensive and I was worried that after one day he wouldn't want to go back but every day he was just as thrilled to be going. There were different themed days (Minecraft, electronics, animals, dragons) and his instructor was really good to help them stay on task and engaged. Kingston loves to imaginatively build so this was right up his alley.

Above, you see Kingston and his instructor, Bobby. He was just the type of dude that I imagined would teach Lego classes at a Rec center to Kindergartners. In the end, Kingston loved it and we undoubtedly will be signed up again next summer.

The George 2016

Splash pads, Children's Museum, pot pies, Phase10, swimming at the Resort, movies, walks, scooters, 90 degree temps, time with Grandma & Grandpa, relaxing, touring the Brigham Young winter home, learning that potato peels cure Scurvy, celebrating Enzo's birthday, laughing, connecting with the kiddies and having an amazing time! We love going to St George! 

Mark was particularly glad about the splash pad- we went twice. Once in swimming suits and once (unplanned) so wet kids in their clothes about sent him over the edge (ha!). Enzo didn't seem to mind. 

The motorized car/motorcycle- dance parties in the garage every day!

The children's museum (for being "donations only") was pretty awesome! The kids had a blast! We did grocery shopping, fixed cars, moved "boulders", performed on a stage, milked "cows", and enjoyed the a/c.

One of my favorites. 

#Shine

Serving in the Stake YW's has been the funnest and most challenging calling I have had. This year, Girl's Camp was a blast- that is once we got there :) A few weeks before camp, Lucinda Webb (the Stake YW president) tore her ACL stepping off a curb and had to be put in a boot. The day before, the Stake Camp Director, Jenny, dropped a block of ice on her toe and broke off her toenail and fractured the bones in her feet- no camp for her! Monica (our Food person) also had a family emergency and was unable to come and execute the menus she had planned. It seemed like the week was just going to be nuts but, all in all, it was an excellent experience. We pulled together and things ran so smoothly. 

I have done Girl's Camp as it relates to the ward level but the stake is TOTALLY different. We had lots more downtime to read, write in our journals and talk to the girls as they came to pass of their scriptures. I was in charge of the treat tent so it was fun watching them earn prizes. We had fun planning our skit, ziplining, visiting the wards, talking, and running around when random wards needed help or medical attention. I made good friends with the wonderful ladies we serve with. It seemed like we had been friends for a long time and were just camping together. It was awesome. 

Highlights: Testimony meeting with my own ward. My "fan club" of First ward ladies, my cool towel, dutch oven dinner with the stake, my cot, awesome Priesthood that put up our tents/cooked/cleaned and did whatever we needed.

Lowlights: a tick- attached to my head! Nastiest thing ever! One zipline accident, one girl sneaking to cell phone hill, some random drama, too many bags of lettuce from taco salad night, missing my kids. 

Sure love these ladies. The truthfulness of the Gospel is manifest in the challenges we face in getting to a place where the spirit can be felt so strongly, friendships are forged and experiences are had that strengthen and edify. 

My feet after camp. Lucinda's foot pre-boot, Jenny's poor toe the day we left. 

Pre-Camp

Skit night!

Post Camp

5ive

Kingston has been counting down the days to F I V E for quite a few months. He was pretty convinced that turning 5 would mean he would feel so much bigger, ride his bike faster and that daddy would buy him a 4 wheeler.

No 4 wheeler but, lots of Legos and Minecraft. 

Kingston Grant- our soft hearted, sensitive, reserved, brilliant, creative, funny, snacky, two wheel riding, Battle Bot watching boy. You know what you like and are 100% sure that the sun rises and sets with a bin full of Legos. You are so excited to start Kindergarten. You love to ride your scooter and your bike & to be free to play outside digging up worms, shooting your squirt gun or riding in water somewhere. You are such a good brother. You love having friends and watching Superhero movies on our bed with Daddy. Your favorite food is Ramen or popsicles. You will do anything for a snack and without fail, you fall asleep in the car wherever we go. 

You are so different from your sister and are a perfect example of what a little boy should be- scabs, dirty feet and an, "I love you mom!" before you leave to go outside for the 100th time in a day. 

We sure love you and are so glad you are ours!

A truck just like Papa drives. 

Kingston and Enzo get to share well visits for life (with birthdays just two weeks apart). Kingston weighed 40 lbs and Enzo weighed 30 lbs. No shots for either (yes!). 

Like a Popsicle on the 4th of July.

The fourth of July is always one of my favorites. I love buying patriotic gear for the kiddos and staying up late to watch fireworks. This year we spent the night at Mimi and Papa's swimming, celebrating Kingston & Enzo, dancing in the driveway (even Grandpa Donut and Grandma Cookie cut a rug) and watching the Cul-de-sac of fire. I am so grateful for those that fought to protect our freedoms and paved the way to allow us to live how we choose. 

Red, White and Blue Williamsons

Tried my hand at a star braid- turned out pretty great if I say so myself. 

Patriotic Cousins

A little too much Shark Week. 

Kingston and Cash.