Sunday Dress and Hair

Okay, so it's really Tuesday, but better late than never, right?

Elle's Easter dress!

(It's crazy, but this is just XS size in the regular ol' women's department!)

The twirl-ability was one of the selling features for Elle :)

I attempted a couple of cool hairstyles for Elle 

And she attempted one on me, but in the end, she went with her hair down.

(Which, as you can tell from above, worked really well for the twirling pictures)

And along the theme of beautiful things. .

We went to the annual tulip festival!

fields and fields of beautiful, giant tulips

This would be a good place to capture a bee should it happen to fly in . . .

(right, Mom?)  ;)

Yes, yes that is Chris at the tulip festival!

enjoying himself in the flower garden across the street

Of course we had to bring some of that beauty home!

 So, to get back to how I convinced Chris to come along this year and drive the hour + with us...

We went to Deception Pass State Park.

This is Deception Pass Bridge.  Last year when Elle and I went with some friends, they told us we needed to think of some good lies as we drove across (deception. . .)

We all did that this time too.

We ate lunch at the beach. . .

climbed on the driftwood

created cairns

Elle found "Love" on the beach ;)

And  made a little fort 

:)

So fun!!

Girl's Trip to Utah!

I had a goal of taking Elle to the Conference Center for the Women's session of General Conference when she turned 12.

So last week she and I flew to Utah (poor Chris stayed home)

And met up with grandmas:

at the amazing Conference Center!

When President Monson walked in, we could all feel the Spirit so strong testifying that he is the true Prophet of God.  It was very humbling.

Before we left for Utah , Elle's friend said, "You're going to be breathing the same air as the Prophet!"

A sweet, innocent beehive said a simple, humble prayer and I had tears in my eyes.  The tears didn't stop for the whole meeting!  We all agreed that we didn't have nearly enough tissues.  I kept marveling how wonderful it was that we were there!

Just when it seemed as if the Spirit couldn't get any stronger, they invited all the 8 year olds to stand and sing "Teach Me to Walk in the Light"

I am so grateful that I was able to attend with the three women I most admire.

(Mom, Mother-in-law, and Elle)

It was spring there!

This is the apricot tree with popcorn popping on it at my parents' house

We usually go in the summer and Elle climbs the big walnut trees.

As in the summer, she climbed without shoes--even though it wasn't summer weather.

We had a fun whirlwind of a dinner Sunday with some of my family.

On Monday we had the opportunity to view the "Sacred Gifts" exhibit at the BYU museum of art:

http://sacredgifts.byu.edu/

Again, it was very humbling to see the original masterpieces of the pictures I've been using my whole life to teach in Primary and family night.

Then went to lunch with Chris's parents and sister at Jo Vera's for banditos and delicious chips.

When we were done we walked to the Provo City Center Temple construction and, guess who we saw!

Moroni!  He didn't go up until 4, so we decided not to stay and watch.

You can see it here:

http://fox13now.com/2014/03/31/angel-moroni-tops-provo-temple/

Grandma and Elle remembered April Fool's day and planned accordingly.

Very silly table setting, rotten strawberries, then blueberry muffins that were actually green or blue or black!

(I guess I didn't take a picture) 

Heres a picture of our delicious strawberry scones for FHE though.

We did a few other things too:

Cabela's for some wildlife fun.

(I love how Elle is so happy in front of the dramatic scene in back of her)

The Peppermint place candy store

She saw a bunch of fluffy bunnies and we pretended they were "Tribbles"

(I used the 1970's filter from Instagram for this pic.  I thought it was fitting)

 Then home again!

Last night while Chris was at the Priesthood session (then at 5 Guys for dinner), Elle and I made crepes for dinner. (Vegetarian then dessert)

Unfortunately, they were so good and so perfect from the very first one that we ate too many!

Then semi-annual conference breakfast today!

I feel so blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!