Temple Tour 2011

One of the goals Ben and I had with our trip this summer was to see all the temples we could and let the kids experience the spirit of the temple grounds.  For years my siblings and I have talked about doing a temple tour and taking our kids to the 10 temples between Logan and Provo.  It really seemed to fit into our trip and so this year we finally decided to do it.

We started at the Provo temple the day after Grace's blessing and then took two days to visit the grounds of the temples.  We had 14 kids under the age of 13 and so we had to keep things moving while trying to respect the temple grounds but I think that everyone had a good time, it didn't hurt that we got to stay in a hotel with a pool.

Day 1

Provo Temple
Dedicated 02/09/1992

Mount Timpanogos 
Dedicated 10/13/1996

I was really trying to get in the picture with everyone else but I couldn't make it. 

Ladd had to run through the bee infested ground cover to make it into the group photo.

The temple was closed but we were still able to walk around the grounds.

Draper Temple
Dedicated 03/20/2009

We came on a Monday and so the grounds were closed but we got a pretty good look.

Jordan River Temple
Dedicated 11/16/1981

We had to do a close up at the back of the temple because of shadows at the front.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple
Dedicated 8/21/2009

The grounds were closed at this temple as well but everyone was tired and ready to be done and so the quick stop was what we needed. 

After this we went to our hotel that was in downtown Salt Lake and enjoyed the pool, some pizza and a great view of the Capitol building and Temple square lit up at night.

Day 2

Salt Lake Temple
Dedicated 04/06/1893

The man in the hat is a host on Temple Square and he helped us find the corner stone and this area, which is known as the secret garden.

Bountiful Temple
Dedicated 01/08/1995

The grounds were closed renovations and so this is as close as we could get.

We lost of few of the troops who fell asleep in the car.

Ogden Temple
Currently closed for major renovations

You can actually see the interior stairs.

Here is our motley crew.

The temple will look a lot like the Draper temple when all the renovations are complete.

Brigham City

Under Construction

Everyone had a good time relaxing in the grass and playing in the little stream that was across the street from the temple at the tabernacle.

Logan Temple

Dedicated 05/17/1884

Everyone was glad to get out of the car and relax on the temple grounds.  The fountains were a big hit after a long hot car ride.

We had a great time on our temple tour and I am very happy that the kids got to experience the peaceful feeling that exists at all the different temples.

Baby Grace's Blessing

One of the worst things about living so far away is missing all the milestones of nieces and nephews in Utah.  Needless to say, we were really happy to be able to witness Grace Ann Cluff's blessing.  It happened at her Grandma and Grandpa Cluff's house in Provo. 

Happy family.

Cute baby Grace

There was a big crowd to help celebrate.

And what celebration is complete without tons of mini-cupcakes.

Kim and I stayed up way too late making them but they sure were good.

We love you, Baby Grace!

Bear Lake Trip 2011

We were glad to be in town for my family's annual Bear Lake Trip.  We had a great time together.  I was glad to take the kids to a beach were the water was warm enough to get into but I can't say I have missed the sun burn I always get at Bear Lake, no matter how hard I try not to.

It looks like Owen is missing something.

Lucas was loving the sand toys.

Burying the next victim. 

Who could it be?

Oh no, it's Toby!

Next up is Chloe.

Just chillin' and relaxin'.

 Keeping Grace out of the sun.

Our spot for the day.

The kids spent hours digging big holes on the beach. 

We loved our day at the beach!!!

Salt Lake Site Seeing

While we were with the Schiess side of the family we did a little site seeing.
First up was Hoogle Zoo.  We have a membership to the zoo in Boston and one of the perks that came with it was half off at different zoo's across the country.  We decided to take all of the cousins to the zoo.  We had a great time but I don't have any pictures of the Mickelson's because we went our different ways throughout the day. 

After the zoo I took the kids to the This Is The Place Monument that is right by the zoo.  I figured I could get the kids good and tired before a drive to American Fork to stay with the Schiess family.

In American Fork we got to experience American Fork Days.  There was a fun carnival just through the block, a parade on main street and a classical car show in the park.  All the kids had a great time, especially on the rides except for the very end when Guss and Jacob got puked on while riding on the Ferris Wheel.  They were good sports about it and the rest of us had a really good laugh.

We also visited the Kennecott Copper mine while we were in the area.  It was really amazing to see but we unknowingly went on their annual free weekend and it was a madhouse.  We had to wait in line for over an hour to be bused up to the top and then when we got up to the top there were so many people and such a long line to get back down that we didn't stay long.  The kids and I went back later when Dad came back to Utah. 

While we were waiting in line a 5 minute rainstorm blew through. 

Luckily, there were canopies we could get under. 

Actual tire from one of the mine trucks.

Looking down into the mine. 

It is so large that it is actually visible from space.

 

4th of July

We got to enjoy the 4th of July with our Cache Valley cousins this year.  The fireworks for Logan were actually on July 1 so we had gone to them after Chloe's pizza party.  For the 4th we went to a parade in Lewiston and then spent the day relaxing.  That night we had a barbeque and had fun with sparklers.  It was a great way to celebrate our country's birthday.

Lucas was thrilled to find a bike his size.

Everyone waiting for their sparkler.

Randy also enjoyed the little pink bike.

He couldn't contain his excitement anymore.

Ben was determined to master the Rip-Stick.

It looks like things are getting out of hand with Owen's chin on fire and Guss starting Abi's hair on fire.  Luckily, no one really got burned the picture just makes it look that way.