A Trip to the Temple and the Priesthood Session

At the end of our Spring Break, I took the kids to the temple to do baptisms for the dead.  Jacob has been wanting to go again for awhile, so we planned to do it at this time.  We didn't know how busy it would be, but we were in luck.  It wasn't busy at all and each of my boys got to do about 20 baptisms and confirmations.  There was a lady there who had just brought in 60 family names and my kids were lucky enough to do them.  It was so awesome!  And a really cool experience for each of them.

Of course the kids didn't want me to take any pictures of them, but I forced them to take some anyway. :)  That's what Moms do after all, right?  I couldn't get a decent one for several shots!

I guess we will blame these on the sun...

Well, mostly...

Just one more!

And I finally got one!  Yeah!

It was a great day and I'm glad we took the opportunity to go together.  We stopped at Costco on the way home and got pizza for lunch!  Perfect ending to the perfect activity! :)

These next few pictures were taken during General Conference.  

Dallin got a little creative during one of the sessions....Funny kid!

I have no idea what he was trying to make here...those are tent stakes and plastic frogs!  HA!

Todd got tickets to the Priesthood Session for all the boys.  They weren't too excited to drive clear downtown, but I think they all really enjoyed it once they got there.

Here's what each of the kids were doing while they were waiting for Grandpa Jones and Eric to come...

Kyle 

(Was there any doubt?) :) 

I love this picture of Todd!  What a hottie! :) 

I couldn't get Dallin to look at me at first...

And then he did, but he still wouldn't smile. (Welcome to my world!)

But I can always count on Jacob!

I told Todd I wanted a picture of all of them together, and he said it better be quick.  

So this is how it happened...

Getting ready...

Almost there...

I took the shot...

And it was perfect!

I love all these men in my life!  I truly am one lucky girl! :) 

Spring Break to Wendy and Anthony's!

Me and Jacob and Grandma all went to Wendy's over Spring Break!  Jacob was so excited to fly, because even though he HAS flown on a plane before, he doesn't remember it.  I think we were both a little nervous about it.  (But too late, here we go!)

The Three Musketeers!

Jacob got the window seat.  And he loved that there was a little "table" he could pull down. 

 Small pleasures! So cute, huh? (I actually thought it was pretty cool too!) :) 

Of course we went to a movie, and I'm pretty sure every movie theater in Las Vegas is inside a casino   And here I am just minding my own business! :) 

I only gambled a little! HA! 

(Okay, I didn't really gamble.  These pictures were staged by my brother-in-law Anthony.  My family doesn't really believe me, but trust me when I say that things are not always the way they appear. Pictures can be deceiving.)  And that's all I'm going to say about it... :)

We roasted marshmallows and made s'mores one evening.  It was sooo fun! 

 (And what's the point of the "mustaches" these days anyways?)

Me and Wendy (and the two culprits in the back are Jacob and AJ)  HA! :)  

We had a great time on our vacation.  Wendy and Anthony are the best hosts!  We relaxed and had an awesome break from the monotonous activities of our everyday lives.  

And all too soon it was over and we were back on the plane headed for home...

I'm not sure why Jacob and I look so exhausted in this picture!  We really did have a relaxing time.

On the flight home, since it was during the day and we could see out the window, Jacob took lots of pictures of the sky and the clouds.  He did a great job.  These were just taken on my phone.

 (Why can't I ever get some good pics on my phone?)

Funny story:  When we were waiting for the plane to take off, Jacob looked outside and saw the  "little plane" next to us.  He thought that was pretty amazing that it was so close.  It wasn't until we were in the air that I saw what he was talking about.  It was one of the engines and when I told him that "little plane" was part of our BIG plane, he was shocked.  It was so cute!

We had a wonderful time! 

 Thanks to Wendy and Anthony for always welcoming us into their home!  

You guys rock!

Date Night and Crazy Hair!

Back in February, Todd and I had the opportunity to attend a Leadership Conference for stake presidents and their wives.  It took place in the Conference Center downtown and was part of the celebration of  RootsTech.  There was food, a "fireside," and a concert by the Tabernacle Choir.  

It was so amazing!

The first hour of the evening was a buffet-style open house.  There were other stake presidents throughout the valley, many area 70's, and even a couple of The Quorum of the Twelve apostles (and their wives).  We saw Elder Oaks and his wife walking around and mingling with others.  We tried to position ourselves so we would be right in his "path," but every time we moved, it backfired on us, and Elder Oaks ended up going a different way.  Bummer!

Right before the "fireside" part of the evening, I stopped in at the ladies room and I ran into Elder Oaks' wife as I was coming out of the stall!  I wasn't sure what to say, or if I should say anything at all, but I decided to go up to her and tell her how pretty I thought she was. (And it's true...she's beautiful!)  She was very gracious and complimented me on my shirt! (Sweet!)  When I came out of the bathroom, I practically ran into Elder Oaks standing there with Todd.  He reached out and shook my hand!  A few seconds later he said, "I hope my wife hurries...I've got to be on the stand in a few minutes."  I blurted out, "She's almost done." (What was I saying?  She's almost done going to the bathroom?  Poor Todd!  He turned a pasty white. HA!)  

Anyway, it didn't seem to bother Elder Oaks, but Todd and I definitely got a HUGE laugh out of it on the way home.  You never know what is going to come out of my mouth! But it made me think about how husbands are always waiting for their wives, no matter who you are...Such a true statement and fact! :)  And hilarious! 

Here is a picture of us before the Tabernacle Choir concert started.  We were on the 7th row from the very front...in the middle section! (What?)  

I don't know why my head looks so "freakishly" big! HA!

We even got to sit in "Reserved" seating!  Crazy, huh?

The fireside was amazing.  Several General Authorities spoke...Elder Cook, Elder Ballard, Elder Renlund, and Elder Foster (a member of the Seventy). And Elder Oaks presided.

After the "fireside" we all moved into the Conference Center auditorium to see a concert by the Tabernacle Concert and a descendant of Rogers and Hammerstein, Oscar "Andy" Hammerstein 111.
Both he and the choir were amazing!

And one more picture...(Can you say "big head?")

It was a really great evening and we had such a wonderful time together.  It was a privilege to be able to be in the company of so many of the church leaders.  They are amazing people and the spirit was strong as we listened to their messages.  It was definitely an evening of great memories.  I'm so grateful that we were able to attend.  

FUN DATE NIGHT! 

Moving on, these next couple of pictures are of Jacob after he woke up one day.  His hair was so messed up!  It totally made me laugh...I had to take a picture.

This is what I call "Extreme Bedhead."

    

Seriously!  Those pictures were not staged!  Hilarious, right? :)
I love my boys!