I love to see the Temple!

Our Family had the opportunity to spend Valentine's night at the Draper Temple open house. We've had the opportunity to watch the temple as it was under construction, and it is very exciting to see it completed.
Brynn really enjoyed looking through all the rooms, and finding them on our "map" that was given to us as the open house guide (really a pamphlet about several of the rooms). Brooke did well, all things considered, although I'm sure she didn't realize exactly the significance of what was going on.
The temple is of course beautiful. There is definitely a very serene and comforting spirit in the temple.
Brynn's favorite rooms were the Ordinance Rooms, which have beautiful murals painted on the walls of Mountain scenes and animals. She also liked the Celestial room, because "it had a really cool light!" Brooke also liked the animals in the Ordinance Rooms, and the mirrors in the Sealing Room.
Brynn was also fascinated by the stained glass windows, which she could see from outside the of the Temple as well.
My favorite part was spending time with my family, in a place that binds families for eternity.

Happy Birthday Brynn!!

I can't believe how fast time flies!!! It seems like we just brought Brynn home from the hospital in an icy Wyoming snow storm. I can hardly believe that she is already 5! She has brought so much laughter, and so many blessings into our home. I can't imagine life without her.
She is my creative child, who is always looking for imaginary things to do. Making huts to play in, and creating works of art. I'm still convinced that one day she will be a writer. She is so descriptive in her conversations. I hope I can foster the creativity to help her capture any dream she has.

We had a Bindi the Jungle Girl birthday party this year. Sans hanging vines, and ropes which were requested to have a "real Bindi hut". Even without the vines we seemed to have a great party. The Crocodile cake was an adventure for me (and a last minute choice by Brynn). All in all, I don't think it turned out too bad. I'm definately NOT as good as Auntie Laurie is at making cakes. (One of the many things I miss about her!!) At least the cake tasted good!

We played a few animal games with the cousins that were fun to watch. Animal freeze dancing (when the music stops, and animal was called out, and all kids had to act like the animal), was fun to watch. For some reason, the animals all seemed very similar. We also had several rounds of Kangaroo racing (hopping across the room with a pair of socks between the knees), which was a great hit. Finally we played musical chairs, with Donovan's creative animal artwork as the "chair".

Brynn's favorite part of her birthday was sharing it with her cousins. I am very grateful that we now live close enough to share birthday's and holidays with our family in Utah, but I still miss our "family" in Wyoming. I guess no one gets to have their cake and eat it too.

I know am so blessed to have such a beautiful ray of sunshine in my life!