Temple Goal for August

On Sunday, August 23rd, we got to attend the Oquirrh Mountain dedication. Its been awhile since I have been to one and it was a great experience. Nice, quiet and peaceful. And then to add to my temple goal for the year I got to attend a session on Saturday. We didn't need to make an appointment to attend a session but we walked in and had to receive a tag for the time we wanted to go to. So we found out that it was the Spanish session, which made things really interesting. The ONE session that we attend is the ONLY spanish speaking session all day. Oh Boy!! I think there were only about 10 people out of the 35 that actually knew Spanish. It was my first time having to use headphones to listen in English. Needless to say it was an adventure. Afterwards we went outside to get pictures and the view from atop the hill that the temple sits on is amazing. You can see the whole entire Salt Lake Valley...starting from the point of the mountain all the way to SLC. It was an interesting day yet good day!! Only 2 more temples to go and my goal will be complete!!

Flashback Friday

I came across this picture of my mom riding some mode of scooter-esque transportation. I automatically start laughing because it looks like a moped. And whenever she sees someone riding one of those scooters she starts singing the music associated with the wicked witch riding her bike on the Wizard of Oz. Not sure of the year or how old she is in the picture but it looks like she is in her late teens early 20's. So then I come across a picture of my sister and me riding a 4 wheeler, not quite a scooter but I just couldn't resist posting it. We are around the same age as my mom in our picture. Once again, Kristy's face is priceless....love the tongue action going on!!

This was a picture of us at an old friends house when we went to Michigan back in 1997. Kristy or I said we wanted to ride the 4-wheeler but not by ourselves. So, first off, what was I thinking letting her drive? Second, I have some really short shorts on. And third, Nice Helmets! This pictures just makes me chuckle. It was an adventure to say the least. We did stall the thing way out in a field and couldn't start is back up. So we had to walk a ways until someone came looking for us and then finally started it for us and we came back. Ahhh, good times!!

Temple Goal for July

My sister and I were able to attend one more Utah temple last month. I just got the pictures from her so that's why its late in getting posted. We got up really early one Monday morning and took a 3 hour ride over to Vernal. The temple was open on Mondays, we both had the day off so we got grandma to babysit, and off we went. It use to be an old tabernacle that they turned into the Temple. Its unique because you wouldn't think it was a temple just looking at the building except for the angel Moroni on top. Its all brick and really seems no bigger than a Stake Center. It had a really beautiful stained glass picture of Jesus depicted as "The Shepherd" and sun was hitting it just right the day we went.

We only have 3 more temples to go to before our goal is complete. We have a trip planned for Monticello in September and then need to get to Oquirrh Mountain when it opens and just up to Logan sometime as well!

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Julia's Birthday

We had a great day today with Julia. She woke up and ran down the hall to see her balloons and decorations. Balloons are a new favorite thing for her so she wasn't about to do anything else but play with the balloons...no breakfast, no getting dressed, not even Curious George could tear her away from her new toy? Go figure!? Well, we finally did get ready for the day to head out to see the animals. We went to the pond to feed the ducks and then down to the petting zoo to ride the ponies and see the farm animals.....she rode the ponies 4 times. After a busy morning and tired out from being in the sun we headed home for what I thought we would be a welcomed nap?! She was almost asleep in the car but got home and saw the balloons and she didn't fall sleep for an hour and a half......I thought for sure I wasn't going to get my daily break...but eventually she drifted off, probably dreaming of balloons.
The party started when Daddy got home and we had pizza. We sang both birthday songs, the Mott version and the Cromwell version. Blew out the candle and then literally tore into the bags of gifts....paper was flying everywhere. I don't think she even saw what was in the bags she opened. But then she sat in Daddy's lap to have help opening a few. She will be busy with her new toys for awhile...I hope anyway. Layne said it will probably only last for 48 hours and then she will be bored again...but we'll see......she has lots to keep her busy...I hope anyway (fingers crossed!)
After gifts and playing the Elephant game we had some "Monkey" cake...Julia was all about the frosting. Took a bath, put on some new pjs and said our goodbyes to our guests. She is out playing with her new toys as I sit here and type. What a wonderful day!! Thanks for all the birthday wishes new and far. We appreciate all of you for making Julia's day so great!! HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY JULIA!!!

2 years already

Man, how times really files. It really does feel like just yesterday we were getting Julia all dressed up in her 'game-day' outfit to bring her home. Now she is 2!!! She is growing up so fast. As much as I can't stand the 'terrible two's' I wish I could just freeze time and keep her this age. Its so fun to see her learning and growing constantly. Everyday is a new adventure for her. New words, new ideas....the learning never stops! One thing is for certain.....I can't keep up with her, she is so active and was from the very start. She was always kicking her feet and hasn't been still since (unless she is strapped in her car seat or asleep.) Julia keeps me on my toes to say the very least. She is non-stop the minute she wakes up. I wish I had half of her energy. She is becoming 'miss independent' and wants to try new things all by herself and gets mad if you try and help her. She has a love for animals (that must run in the family). She loves to visit Grandma/Grandpa Mott's to see the dogs, cats, and horse. She has a very sweet heart and is very concerned about others. Whenever mommy or daddy are frustrated or sad she pats our arm or back and says, "Ok, Mommy/Daddy?!" Such a tender heart. We love our little "bugs" and we are so glad she is a part of our family. We couldn't have asked for a better daughter. Happy Birthday Julia!!

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Flashback Friday

Layne and I both share something in common. Our LOVE of sports. I think its more of a passion for Layne but nonetheless we both have to agree that sports takes a front row seat in our relationship. These are pictures of us when we were first married. We took a little trip down to the Legacy Hall in Provo. They have all the memorabilia, facts, trophies, pictures, you name it, from BYU's sports history. It was interesting to see and I highly recommend it, especially if you are a BYU fan!! Over the few years we have been married we have been to numerous games together. BYU football and basketball. Jazz games, Bee's games, and even the NCAA basketball tournament one year. There have been some really great games and even better memories. I'm grateful for Layne's knowledge of sports. Its a little uncanny if you ask me. He can remember stats, players, and scores from years past. He will always ask me...do you remember this game or this certain play? I will say I have no idea and just laugh at his incredible recall. He never ceases to amaze me when it comes to sports. I hope to be able to continue on in our LOVE of sports throughout the coming years.

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Rodeo Weekend

It was our annual trip to Preston, Idaho, to celebrate Rodeo weekend. A time for fresh dipped corn dogs, parades, rodeo and the carnival....oh and don't forget the famous Rodeo Burger. Layne talks about these all year round and all the way up to Preston (its gotta be the secret sauce??) They celebrate Thurday, Friday, and Saturday with the carnival, parade and rodeo each night. Its quite the party!! It was a special trip this year because all of Layne's family was in town. It was great to see everyone and spend time with each other. Well, we hit the parade 2 nights in a row. Now I think the Preston parades throw out more candy than any other parade I've ever seen. The first night it took Julia a little while to get into the flow of things because all the bigger kids grabbed up the candy quickly and Julia was picking up the leftovers. But she still walked away with about a quater of a bag of candy. Saturday night we helped decorate the float for Grandpa Cromwell's 30 years with Eye Care For You!!! All the kids helped and then got to ride on the float to pass out eyeball candy...how appropriate!! So that left Julia and cousin Miles to get all the candy during the parade. I think Miles just saw Julia and thought there is no way I can compete with her....because Julia was on a mission.....Leave No Candy Behind!!! She was picking up her candy and the neighbors candy on both sides of her. I think she only sat down once to grab a drink because she was working sooo hard to get allll the candy. And she is fast too....if you don't have an eye on her your outta luck. She will just all of a sudden just take off and you have to chase her. She was all hot and sweaty afterwords from working so hard. She walked away with 1/2 a bag of candy. It was so heavy she could barely lift it. She certainly wore me out. I worked up a sweat just chasing her and keeping her wrangled into her own area. If I hadn't she would have been all up and down the street. Well, it was a great weekend all around. Good times and good memories. Until next year!!!