Manti Pageant and another Temple trek

I have lived in Utah my entire life, I have always been LDS, and I have NEVER been to the Manti Pageant. We went last weekend and it was so fun! The temple is beautiful, I think it is my favorite. It is so beautiful standing there all alone on the mountainside. Majestic.

We left last Thursday. When we got there we went and put our blankets out and then walked the town. We found the Turkey dinner at the Stake House, and some candy at this cute little candy store on Main.

The pageant started at 9:30. My kids loved it! I thought they would sleep through the whole thing, but they didn't. They LOVED the Lamanite warriors. When the play ended at 11:30 we packed up and headed to our hotel.

The next morning we had a great breakfast and then we headed to the Temple to actually touch the temple. It was gated off the night before because of the pageant.

We are really enjoying this challenge and we are now more than half way through with seeing all of them! What a great focus for our family this year as we prepare for our first baptism...

This is us right when we placed our blankets. The temple is amazing!

Lamanite Warrior (He kind of scared Jack)

Nice looking warriors

Ruth and I waiting for it to begin...

We made a bed for Jack. He was excited about it.

This is the next morning at the entrance of the temple.

Ruth

Hank

Jack

Ruby

Whole Family!

Conversation

Nana: Jack my tummy hurts, I don't feel good.

Jack: Oh

Nana: Will you make me feel better?

Jack is very thoughtful, and he giggles: "I can't, but my mommy's hand will make you better."

Nana said that chills filled her spine. Jack had spoke the truth to her and he fully believed what he was telling her.

What an AMAZING mommy moment.

Thanks for sharing Nana!

Hear me roar!

Summertime and...my kids are eating me out of house and home.

SO

SMITH"S here I come.

My total was $450!!

I payed $270...(I know, it's jaw-dropping)

I LOVE coupons.

I am a Lioness (I love Julie Beck, she totally gets it)

Lost Penny

This time of year always makes me a bit sentimental. (I have to admit that there is A LOT of things that do that to me as I raise my children) It is time for Clytie Adams School of Ballet Recital! I participated in so many of those. As I sat there last night and watched the dancers, I thought about Ruth in the other auditorium watching a magician. The memories flooded my mind. I had a great childhood, one that I often think about. Last night made me miss moving, and performing like that. It really made me miss my ballet friends that I grew up with! Those were priceless days. I hope that Ruth will feel the same as she looks back...We'll see.

Last year there were so many dancers that the show sold out and parents couldn't see their kids dance. So this year there was two performances for each cast. That makes for one busy week. They are required to go to a two dress rehearsals, and then the two performances. I am really happy to announce that we survived a seek of recital and swim lessons. I am looking forward to a popsicle and my front porch:)

This year she was in the dance Lost Penny. I am not sure of the title, but she was darling, and I think she has the knack!

Grandma and Ruth

Nana and Ruth (I also need to note that George and Ash came to the recital! They are good sports and it means a lot to Ruth to have them there! Thanks)

Mom and Ruth

Dad and Hank(Sleeping from all the excitement of a ballet recital!) and Ruth

My Prima Ballerina

Kate and Ruth

Ellie and Ruth

The Boys with Ruth

These are some of the cute girls in Ruth's class.

Top to bottom: Maggie, Sara, Sarah, Ellie, and Ruth.

Temple Trek #4

Love his "natural smile"

We want them to touch each temple.

On this Trek we hit Draper, Oquirrh Mountain, and South Jordan Temples. I only have pictures of our first stop, South Jordan. The rest are on our friends camera. We are loving these trips and the time spent together doing something to uplift our family. I am so happy that my family is eternal! What a blessing to know this is true.

...Manti here we come!

Summer Fun

We are LOVING summer...

Popsicles at Nana's

Wiped out after swimming all day at Grandma's!

Spring Sports

Ruth Played soccer. She is so much fun to watch. She loves it and hustles up and down the field. She had to pay her Grandpa $1 every time she scored a goal. I think she owes him$10. Not a bad season!

You have got to LOVE a baseball uniform! He is soooooo cute.

Hank is really enjoying this long, slow, game. What does that say about him? I don't know...

He also played soccer, and he liked it too. He did great and got Hustler of the year.

Go Red Waves! Coach Wright, along with Coach Martineau had a great season. So fun to watch these little ones chase the ball.

Jack two buddies who played with him.

Colin is so proud of him and his desire to wear his pimped out headbands, just like his Daddy.:)

Preschool Graduation

Hank is officially off to Elementary with Ruth! I can't handle this growing up thing.

He's really looking forward to Kindergarten.

ONE year old...Help!?

We have had a sad thing in our little ward this past week. A little friend of my Ruby's had a terrible accident and was run over by a car. It was three days before his first birthday. He was one day older than Ruby. It has really put some perspective on our little girl. There is a physical reaction in my body when I look at her. I am so crazy about this little one. I often wonder,

"Is it because she could be my last?"

"Is it because I know how quickly they grow?"

"Is is because she is more special than the other's?"

"Am I going to loose her?" (Morbid thought, I know, but after this week...)

BUT

She did it. She turned a year old. We had so much fun with her. The night before her birthday we took her to Toys R Us to get her some gifts. She was so excited about everything.

Friday night we had a my mom and dad, my sister, and Spencer and kids over for cake and ice cream. First birthday's are my favorite.

St. George

We went to St. George over Memorial weekend. It was quick and it was fun. Thanks Luekenga's for all the fun!

First time swimming. She is so cute. I, STILL, want to eat her.

This is really all we did.

Swim

Swim

Swim!