Utah: Aquarium

Grandma Herbert took us to the new aquarium for our last day in Mapleton.  Although we held a season pass to the old aquarium we hadn't been to the new one before (my mom took the boys a year ago - but the girls and I hadn't been).  It was wonderful.  We stayed for hours and watched several movies.  My kids love aquariums - especially Noah.

The tunnel of sharks is the coolest!

Thanks Grandma Herbert for a WONDERFUL trip in Mapleton!  You always make it so special.

Utah: Bridal Veil Falls

One day during nap time the boys and I hiked up to Bridal Veil Falls.  We have been doing this since they were babies (literally).  It was one of my favorite things about Provo - the PERFECT hike for babies and toddlers.  When we started I assumed we would do what we have always done.  "hike" to the base of the waterfall (probably 1/4 mile or less paved trail through grassy area that is completely flat).  Stay at the base and throw rocks into the river/pond.  Walk around the rocks and get our feet wet and climb up about 10 feet or so.  

This is our usual stopping point.  

But the boys wanted to keep going.  Who know when your kids are big enough to start doing "big kid things?"  I sure don't.  But they seemed able.  So off we went.

We hike straight up the waterfall!  Look how high we were.  I had to suppress every motherly instinct.  I kept thinking one tumble and its over!  But I knew they could do it.  And I have made a goal to not mother out of fear.  So on we climbed.

Despite the picture they were SO EXCITED when we reached the top and so proud (if you know Brock you know this is his excited face).  We stayed up there for a good half hour and enjoyed the beauty, the waterfall and the rainbows.

Lest you think I am an irresponsible mother - we did not hike down the waterfall.  That did seem reasonable dangerous (although lots of people did).  We took the trail back down.

Utah: Payson Temple

After church one Sunday the kids and I decided to go check out the new Payson temple.  We often go to temple grounds on Sunday - so we were shocked to find the gates closed and locked!!  We were so sad.  We walked around the perimeter of the fence - took some pictures and headed back to grandma's.  To ad injury to insult I got in a car accident on the way back!  My fault!  Well - if we are placing blame - I blame it on the three year old who took off her seat belt and refused to put it back on.  I turned around for one second to yell at her (I mean sternly reprimand) when I hit the person in front of me (we were coming to a stop - so no real damage - but enough).  I ended up being angry that we even went to the temple.  

But now that all is said and done - I can't ever regret taking my kids to see the temple, they will always remember this trip - even more so because of the accident.  It teaches that bed things happen even when we are trying to do good things.  And I love the pictures we got.

It is devastating to a child to be locked out of a temple.  I hope its not symbolic :)

The temple is SO BEAUTIFUL.  It might just be my new favorite

Later in the week my sister-in-law and I went to go do a session.  When we got there all the sessions were full until closure.  So we went to do sealings - we were the last people to get in to do sealings because they were full until closure too.  Looks like the temple is already too small.  Not a bad thing!

This temple has the most beautiful Celestial Room!  It is worth the drive - I promise.  Even if you went to the open house.  The spirit there is amazing.

The girls before church.