Christmas 2014

We had a nice Christmas this year. The DeLeeuw's decided a few days before Christmas to come to Utah. It was a joy to have them with us. Christmas is more enjoyable when there are little ones. It is fun to watch their excitement on Christmas morning. 

 Checking out Alex's new stuffed animal while we waited for everyone to get up. The boys were quite excited. I heard them going up and down the stairs several times before it was time to get up.

 Audrey and Mollie were old enough to enjoy opening their presents this year.

Opening the presents. 

 Tyler and Bill cooking our Christmas breakfast. We made gingerbread pancakes, with eggs and sausage and bacon.

 Jessica and Eric both were sick on Christmas, which was no fun for them. We all took our turns getting sick over the holidays, except Joseph who seems to have a strong immune system.

The Lego master's hard at work on their new creations.

 Audrey trying out her new bike. A little big for her but she'll grow into it soon.

Our ornament exchange this year. It is fun to see the girl's creativity each year and fun to add new ornaments to our collection. The felt bird was made by Ashley. Jessica made the tree. The sticks came from her trees, so it is unique to Missouri. Angela made the acorn ornament, using the tops from her own oak tree in Texas. For my stained glass ornament I made the Chickadee. It was a tough ornament to make, but I think it turned out nice.

Tyler's graduation

In December Tyler graduated from Weber State University.

 Joseph and Audrey waiting for the graduation to start.

 The graduates coming in.

 There's Tyler.

Congratulations!



Pineview reservior

When the DeLeeuw's were here last summer we went up to Pineview reservoir and spent and afternoon playing in the water.

 Joseph and the boys eating their sandwiches.

Little Mollie

 Tyler and the grandkids playing in the sand.

 More fun in the water.

 

It was a fun day, even though the water was a little cold.



Family time and the Ogden Temple Open House

While the DeLeeuw's were visiting Joseph set up this big slip and slide in the front yard for them. We even had neighbors kids come and join the fun.

Great fun on a hot day.

We were able to go to the open house of the Ogden temple while they were here which was really nice. We are looking forward to having our temple open again. We certainly have missed it. The Bountiful temple was always packed no matter what time of day you went.

Here are the grandsons patiently waiting for the rest of the family to get there.

Joseph with Eric and Keith

The DeLeeuw family.

Alex doesn't like to cooperate for pictures and always looks the other way. Here is his point of view.

After the tour they had a visitors center that we could go through.

 

Afterwards we went to Farr's Ice cream shoppe. They did really well during the open house and I'm sure they are looking forward to the temple being open as many groups have the tradition of stopping by and getting their great ice cream after going to the temple.

They had this tent set up outside which was really nice for everyone.

Tyler and I had the opportunity to be volunteers for the open house and it truly was a wonderful experience. Tyler was a translator and I had the opportunity to help in the handi-cap parking lot and then on another day I was a volunteer in the baptistery area, It was wonderful to see the thousands of people who came  to tour the temple. Hopefully they felt the great spirit that was present. A few weeks later we were able to participate in the dedication of the temple which truly was a special opportunity.

Family Reunion 2014

The family reunion was held at grandma's house. Saturday was spent on Cedar mountain going to various sights.  The first one being Cedar Breaks.

 Grand kids and Great-grand kids.

 The Keyes family

 Bill and Alex

 Jessica with Brian and Trevor

 Zachary and Brian at Mammoth caves

 that evening we had dinner in Grandma's backyard.

The grand kids just hanging out and visiting.

On the way home: Martin's Cove

Coming back to Utah we stopped at Martins Cove for the grandsons. I slept in the car while everyone else went to the visitors center,as I was going to be driving the last half of the trip.

They had a youth group getting ready to leave on a trek and the missionaries were busy so the kids mostly wandered around. It is not as laid back as it was when we were there before. They want you to do a guided tour rather than wandering at your own pace. We didn't have a lot of time to wait for the next tour as we still had a long drive ahead of us. All in all our trip to South Dakota was really enjoyable and was fun to spend some of it with the grandkids.  

The Black Hills of Dakota Pt. 4

The DeLeeuws joined up with us for the rest of the trip.  

 What is camping without smores?

 ....and hot chocolate for breakfast.

Joesph cooking pancakes and sausage.

 We actually went to Mt. Rushmore 3 times while we were there but I thought I'd put these pictures all together. This is entryway to the monument. There were so many people that I felt like I was at the entrance to Disneyland.

 They have the flags from all the states in this walkway. Joseph is standing under the Utah State flag.

 Mt. Rushmore itself.

 looking back at the visitor center and amphitheater from the trail.

They have a trail that goes in front of the base of Mt. Rushmore and gives you different views of the monument. This walkway is in Nat'l treasure 2.

 When you leave the park heading west you come around a bend and get this profile of George Washington.

 We went back for the evening program.  There was a beautiful sunset while we were waiting for it to get dark. The program is a patriotic program which was nice to see that there is some patriotism in our country still. They emphasize the values and liberties that each of the presidents represented. 

At the end of the program the monument is lit up. Quite an impressive sight.

 All current and past military personal are invited to come down to the stage where they have some of them help lower the flag and then they give each one the opportunity to introduce themselves and tell what branch of the military they are a part of. There was quite a reverent feeling among the audience as they honored those who have and currently serve our country.

This was such a beautiful sight as we walked back to the parking garage.  The picture just doesn't do justice.  I talked with a scout troop that was there from Iowa as we walked out. I thought what a great opportunity for these young men to be here.