Everyone helps out with the construction when you go to Spring Lake. 
Richard had to work on the 4th, so I took the kids to Provo to see the parade and the fair and to visit Spring Lake. Daniel skipped the parade and worked with my dad all day at Spring Lake. In the evening a few cousins joined us for Tank Wars. It was a fun day.
Paige painted this heritage painting showing how our ancestors got here and important monuments of their faith. She painted the Mayflower, the San Juan Bautista Mission in California, the St. George Temple, and a handcart.
There are many interpretations for Malachi’s words about the hearts of the children turning to the fathers. One way to interpret this phrase is to focus on how our hearts feel when we realize what our ancestors have given us. My heart almost feels like it’s shifting or turning inside when I feel the joy of knowing my ancestors.
Last week I found a journal that belonged to my great-grandmother that I had misplaced. It was Cerie’s journal of their trip to Sweden in 1957. She describes the personalities of people I only know by name and a snapshot or two. I wish I had found it in time to include some of her observations in the history I wrote last year. But that’s the nature of family history. You are never done. Our stories go on and on and there many heart-turning moments waiting to be discovered.
A few weeks ago we visited my sister and her kids, one a newborn little sweetie. I just thought I’d share the happy faces today. That is all. Hopefully these faces bring a smile to your face.
Happy Monday!
This weekend Mark was baptized. It was a nice day with beautiful weather, lots of family and friends, talks by Daniel and Timothy, music by Paige and me, and cooking. Baptism days are always busy, but I tried really hard this last time to relax, even if it meant that the tent with bunting never got set up, my hair was not curled, and we didn’t get a proper family picture with all of the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents who gathered. I think I got everyone photographed at dinner but three.
My sweetest memory of the day was when Richard had Mark in the font, ready for the ordinance, and Richard looked up at me. That exchange was simple, but sealed the moment. The work and joys of parenting, gospel preparation, and the new phase we are entering came into focus in a look, but none of those details of parenting were there; it mostly felt like love and joy.
These are some of the kids from our trip to Escalante; they are in the same Sunday school class and they are delightful people.
We found Paige’s dress in Provo and the girl at the shop told us that it was one-of-a-kind. Paige didn’t love the dress at first, but finding a dress her size was a challenge, as was finding a dress with sleeves. She loved it by the end. I think the blue dress looked lovely on her. I had to do some hemming in the front so she could walk. My sister Susan did her hair.
Most of the parents gathered to take these photos. It was nice to send our daughter with kids we knew and to enjoy the photo shoot with our friends, their parents. One of the parents told me that she thought that this low-pressure, friendly date would probably be more memorable than others they will have. Who knows, but I don’t think you can forget how beautiful those girls look in their dresses and how happy everyone looks.
There is no writing going on in a whirlwind. But here are a couple of pictures of things we have been up to. Richard’s mom celebrated a birthday with us and we welcomed Sara home from her mission over the weekend.
We checked on Spring Lake and admired the foundation.
Richard’s parents stayed for a few days and then Russ’s family stayed. There was Indian food, the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, a piano recital, a district math test, baseball games, an overnight retreat in Midway, and a violin-piano duet in a church in Spanish Fork.
We put together an answer to an art-themed prom invitation.
Daniel’s friends spent several days in the basement constructing a physics project… with lots of Lego man spectators.
I’m glad the pace isn’t always this busy, but it was good to see Richard’s family and to be among so many good friends.
Paige and I had an adventure this week across town and noticed that we were close to the Oquirrh Mountain temple. We had never visited this temple so we stopped by and took a picture. On the way home we drove past the Jordan River temple and looked around. The next day we stopped at the Provo temple for tradition’s sake. When I was a little girl I would ask my parents to take me home by way of the Provo temple, which wasn’t in our path home, but I never remember them saying no to my request.
The kids were out of school so we were able to go on an early birthday picnic for my mom. We gave her a tiara. If you see her today, remind her to put it on. She’s a queen and it’s her birthday.
Happy, happy day!
We gathered at Spring Lake for the annual Easter egg hunt, hosted by my parents.
The Round House is gone, and there are only the footings of the new house in place.
The boys and Richard helped my dad haul literally a ton of rocks and remove dead wood. Paige and I helped my mom hide all of the eggs while they were thus distracted.
Timothy and Mark enjoyed working with the saw and pruners.
Mark was especially proud of his bundle of sticks and asked to make one more before we left.
Some cousins arrived and baby Ruth and Sparky hit it off almost immediately.
Sparky noticed that she needed a little face wash and he cleaned her right up.
It was such a pleasant day. We had some lunch and began the Easter egg hunt.
We spectators had a great time watching the kids find the eggs. Richard *might* also be smiling because we bought that truck in the background on Friday. It’s a nice ride.
This is a picture of Richard and me eating chocolates and watching the kids play.
This is the view of the new temple from my parents’ property. Beautiful.
We missed Sarah’s, Matt’s, and Paul’s families who couldn’t make it. We know what it’s like to miss the Annual Easter Egg hunt, but the beauty of family traditions is that there will always be next year.
(Most of these photos were taken by Paige. Thank you!)
We had a few cousins over on Sunday afternoon during General Conference. I took a picture of what they looked like as it began. Five minutes later, the cousins were looking for something to do.
I promise that this wasn’t my idea, but they decided they wanted to sew. They had never sewn anything before (they are in preschool and kindergarten) but they saw that Mark knew how to embroider, so they wanted to do that, too.
They embroidered little sketches I made of swords as we watched Conference.
The older brother was so excited about his sword that I framed that he decided he wanted to do another project: the Easter Bunny. And he wanted it to be pink.
Does anyone believe me that they wanted to do this? These little boys sat for an hour together, then the older brother sat for another hour, completely focused on their work. I sat with them, threading needles and saying good job. It was focused attention and I loved it.
They had a good time here, and that was a relief. I know that I am not the fun aunt or the young aunt. But yesterday, I felt like my version of an aunt was okay. I am the aunt who will untangle knots in your thread, make drawings for you, and feed you carrot sticks and lemon bars.
I’m also the aunt with the fun kids to play with. There was a mighty game of dress up clothes and battles in the basement. It was a good time, and I am glad that my brother could take his older kids to a session of Conference in the Conference Center.