Come to Zion, Come to Zion

**Warning:  This blog is nothing if not completely chronologically incorrect.  I figure if I'm recording things at all though, it's better than nothing, right?  This trip actually took place back in October.  Sigh.  Is it already December tomorrow?

What used to be called the deer hunt (at least in my house growing up), then was called UEA, is now called Fall Break.  Whatever you call it, it gives the kids two days off of school.  Wahoo! We decided to take a break from fall, and go to Southern Utah for more summer-like weather.  A very good choice, indeed.  We met up with Darin's mom and dad for a grand day at Zion National Park.  What a stunningly beautiful place. 

The happy hikers.



Weeping Rock



Ahh!  Refreshing!



Yikes!  We definitely held onto the boys' hands.  A lot.

Handsome Matthew



There's my man . . . and his momma.  :)



The desert becomes her.



Sunshine, nature, family.  Yep, I'm happy!



Cooling off after our hike with a little ice cream

I don't know what this face is, but it makes me laugh every time I see this picture.

Lovely ladies.

Just chillin' after a busy day. 

 We loved spending time with Michael and Jan and their kids.  We enjoyed good food, conversation, lots of playing, and chickens!  Thanks for hosting us!  We wish we could have stayed longer.  We love you!

Thanksgiving Dinner . . . A Little Early

Darin's mom and dad are going to be enjoying their official Thanksgiving feast in Massachusetts this year, so we decided those of us in Utah should get together and eat good food together a little early.  We had a great time with them, Mike and Jill, and all the kids.  And I won't complain about eating Thanksgiving dinner twice, either! 

"Acorns" that Matthew, Jacob and I made.  They were a hit.

The kid table.  In the sunroom. With the door locked.  Ahh, peace.

Jacob helped me make these cute napkin rings for the kids.  They made great finger puppets later, too.

Yum, yum!  Glad Jill brought delish Lion House Rolls.  I think the boys ate nothing but rolls and acorns.

The adult table.  Inside. Where it's quiet.

As Darin put it, "The maiden voyage on our wedding china."  After 16 years of marriage, I think it was about time we brought it out, don't you?

Hot tub party - Darin throws a ball, some kids jump for it, others get drenched, all have fun.

Dancing off that turkey and stuffing playing Just Dance on the Wii

Work it, girls!  Even Grandma Lynette got in on the action!

And the boys joined in, too.  I must say they were very entertaining dancers!

While the kids and ladies were dancing their hearts out, the men went to the store to look at electronics.  So they had a good time, too.  After we had sufficiently digested dinner, we broke out Lynette's awesome pies.  Sooo good!  Thanks Mike and Jill and Dave and Lynette for all the delicious food and fun company!  Living close to family isn't bad.  Not bad at all! 

Doh!

 Do you know what that is?  That unassuming piece of paper in Sarah's hand?  It is a driver's permit!!!  I can't believe we are at this stage already, but the calendar doesn't lie, and after some, ahem, prodding and pleading, Darin took Sarah to the DMV to take her test.  She passed.   And now that piece of paper says she can drive.  With a parent.  And which parent would that be?  (Well, legally, either one, but . . .)  I have been the happy driving companion with Sarah.  No, really.  It has been fun.  We have had several scenic drives in our church parking lot and have even ventured onto some quiet residential streets.  She has been very cautious, and is improving.  I'm proud of her for wanting to learn how to drive.  Yes, I actually said that.  There seems to be some odd trend among teens right now.  That is, the don't want to get their driver's licenses.  What?  I know, I'm confused, too, but thankfully, Sarah is not following that trend.  I will report on her progress periodically. 

Next up, we need to get the gender on the permit corrected - she was marked as a male and didn't notice it until she was almost home.  You can see she was really happy about that.  Oh, well, she's learning to drive either way! Way to go, Sarah!  Love you!

Matthew's Baptism Day

Matthew turned eight in July, but due to our living in limbo at that time, we decided to wait until we were settled into a home and new ward to have him baptized.  He patiently waited, but was so excited when we finally had a date set for his big day.  October 8, 2011 was a special day for all of us.  We were blessed to have so many family members in attendance for his baptism, confirmation, and a luncheon afterwards.  Matthew is our first child to be baptized with that many family members in attendance.  We truly felt blessed and loved to have so many able to come and share this day with us.

Matthew was proud to have Darin baptize and confirm him.  He also expressed that he is excited to baptize his own son one day.  When I asked him (that night) how he felt about the experience, he said, "I feel so happy.  When dad confirmed me, I felt like I was warmer all over.  Do you think that's the Holy Ghost?"

Yes, Matthew.  That is the Holy Ghost.  I hope you will always pay attention to the way you feel.  The Holy Ghost communicates with us in many different ways, but always, it is connected with feelings. "I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart."  D&C  8:2

Thumbs way up, Matthew!  I love you and am proud of you wanting to make good choices.  You are a good boy and bring much happiness to your family!

Halloween

I must confess that Halloween is not my favorite holiday.  I prefer to celebrate autumn, but I am also not a complete scrooge so I pass out candy, get my kids costumes and all that stuff.  Here is a very brief recap of our day:

Sarah and friends on their way to a Star Wars party - can't you tell from their costumes?

Jack-o-Lanterns courtesy of Matthew (left), and Jacob (right), and mom (who did all the actual carving.)

Megan (fairy), Matthew (GI Joe Ninja), Jacob (Sam Flynn from Tron)



My own "decoration".  Told you I prefer celebrating autumn!

The day was complete with costume parades, class parties, changing minds on costumes - several times, friends, and candy.  Lovely day.