February 1, 2015. Drake's Blessing.

Our sweet boy was given a name and a blessing at church today. It was such a special day filled with family and friends. It was so neat to see my little man encircled about by all the special men in my life. I'm so grateful for the Priesthood. 

Here are some pictures from the day. Drake looked so handsome all dressed in his blessing clothes. By the time I got around to taking pictures, he was tired and not feeling well. He still looked super cute though! Love him so much!

Aug. 2, 2014. Collin gets baptized.

Collin had such a great baptism day. He was joined by many friends and family members that love him dearly. I am so proud of him and the choice that he made to be baptized. I love him more than he will ever know! Such a special day for a special boy. 

Sophie's Baptism

On September 1st, Sophie was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It was a beautiful day.  Sophie was so excited.  She had many friends and family members that came to support her decision.  She sang with a group of her cute friends her favorite primary song, When I am Baptized, and she was given a beautiful blessing by Logan.  Sophie looked so pretty in her white dress.  I hope it is a day she will never forget.

I meant to take pictures of her big day.  I had my camera, but we didn't get to the church as early as I would have liked to so I thought I would take some after the baptism instead of before.  But then after, it was a rush to get home and get the ice cream sundaes going so no pictures then either.  That evening I was totally bummed.  I can never recreate this day.  At least I have the pictures I took a couple weeks before the baptism of her in her pretty dress. Sometimes we are just too busy living life to capture it!

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

We had the opportunity to take our children the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. What a wonderful experience it was. It is always neat to be in the temple with your eternal family. Sophie and Collin love the temple and quite often ask if we can go there; especially on our way home from Grandpa and Grandma's house where they always see it sitting so beautifully on the mountain.

As I think of taking my children to the temple, I can't help but think of these words given in a talk by President Thomas S. Monson

During one year, the Primary organization conducted an effort to have the children become better acquaited with the holy temples of God. As a loving teacher guided a boy or girl to the large door of the Salt Lake Temple and the little one reached out and up to touch the temple, I could almost see the Master welcoming the little children His side and could almost hear His comforting words: "suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid then not; for of such is the kingdom of God."

(picture taken by Shan'l Parish. To see more beautiful pictures of the Oquirrh Temple, click here)

"As we love the temple, touch the temple, and attend the temple, our lives will reflect our faith." Thomas S. Monson

I love to see the excitement my children have for the temple just in visiting its ground and in aspiring to go there some day. Although much of the open house was beyond their understanding, they did feel of the Spirit of the holy house in which we were in. And for Sophie I think it brought back some memories of the special day when we visited the temple to be sealed together as a family for all time and eternity.

Bountiful Temple, October 2006

"As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us." Thomas S. Monson