Box City

We just got back from Box City. It was so cute and if the dang Rexburg wind hadn't been blowing, it would have been perfect. 

My sister-in-laws neighborhood put it on. All the kids came up with a service (face painting, nail polish, etc.), or something to sell (popcorn, popsicles, etc.) and decorated a huge box. My nephew, Ozzy, did an art museum and hung up all his drawings. For one ticket, you got to see his drawings and get one free art lesson. My other nephew, Paul, sold popcorn.  There were cupcakes, pet rocks, photo booth, a history museum, bike wash and bowling. My girls got little tattoos and their face painted. They loved the duct tape bows that you can see in the pictures. 

It was so cute. The dang wind picked up and started to blow the city over. But despite that, kids got creative and held down the boxes with rocks or just set up camp on the sidewalk. Hopefully, they'll do it again and we can join! 

Sent from my Galaxy S®III

Date night.

First off, I did not take this picture, but I think it is gorgeous. And last night walking out of the temple as the sun was setting made me wish I had my camera. 

We have been needing to go to the temple for a while, and also, Mike and I needed a date night. So, we headed to the temple to do some sealings. 

Last week was a week I don't ever want to repeat. In short, it was long and hard. Here's how my yesterday went: Addie woke me up after I had only been sleeping for 4 hours (I stayed up to watch TV and Mike and I actually got to talk!). When I picked her up from school, she had a complete meltdown because she didn't have her gloves on. She cried the whole way home and continued to melt until noon, when Leah melted, too. So we turned on the TV and watched Handy Manny for 5 hours. I tried to get the girls to go outside, but we didn't have the right swimsuits, and the wrong popsicles and the wrong shoes. After 10 minutes I quite. We came in and turned on another movie. I gave my girls popcorn and strawberries for dinner. We may or  not have had ice cream first. You know those days where you just throw your hands up and call it quits? I wasn't mad at the girls and they weren't being naughty, they were just melting down constantly.  I've leaned this week that sometimes it is perfectly acceptable to let your kids watch to much TV and eat crap because there won't be a fight or any whining. 

Last night, I needed the quiet peace that is found in the temple. And I found it. I can feel it today. 

I am grateful for the gentle reminders there that families can be together forever and that trials can be overcome, no matter how big or small. My husband told me that on his mission, that the most important thing he learned was to keep an eternal perspective. That this life may be hard, but we can get through any trial through the Atonement.  I know those things, but I needed to hear them all again last night. 

Today will be better. We will keep trying, and hopefully with less TV this time :) 

Sent from my Galaxy S®III

Utah Weekend

We headed to Utah last weekend to get out of Rexburg. When I told Addie we were going to Utah, she said, "No, its Me-tah." 

We headed down Friday night. Saturday we went to Temple Square. It is one of my new favorite places. Everything is free, which is in my price range. The museum was so fun and my girls loved dressing up and learning some Mexican dances. As we walked around the temple, we saw a bride and her groom just coming out. Addie was loving the princess and had to go talk to her. They were surrounded by family and doing pictures, so I didn't let Addie say hi. I kind of regret that. She was so excited. But, next time, I'll let her go say hello and call a bride a princess. 

We went to the new City Creek Mall and met up with some of our close friends from Seattle. They brought presents for the girls and bought us lunch at Kneaders, which was so good. We headed down to my uncle's house in Sandy to stay there for a couple nights. My uncle is one of my dad's brothers. They are the same person, basically. Addie loved hanging out with "grandpa's friend" and helping him with yard work. He has a gully in his back yard with  trail going down and lots of places for a kid to play. He also had a tire swing and Addie and Leah loved it. 

We met up with Mike's friend, Tim, for dinner. After we ate, we headed to a park that had a splash pad. Luckily, I had packed swimsuits. My girls loved it. They also loved playing and climbing on all the toys. Addie loves Tim and he was so sweet to play with her on the toys. 

Sunday we went to my uncle's ward, and then went  my cousin's house for a barbeque. She has a daughter the same age as Addie, and they played and talked the whole time. We also met up with our good friends Scott and Janessa in Orem that night. They had a baby girl  few months ago and we wanted to love on her. Addie and surprisingly Leah loved her. Leah wanted to help the baby when she dropped her pacifier. 

Monday, Mike headed out on  bike ride with Tim. Before we left my uncle's, he hooked us up with a bunch of bubbles. He is a toy salesmen ( best uncle ever!) and ket the girls pick out some bubbles. We drove up to Park City and enjoyed the mountains and just walked around and shopped a bit (thanks for my new bag, Mike!). 

It was  great trip. I'm really looking forward to going down more since we live 3 hours from Salt Lake. I loved being with my family this weekend. Mike works so hard and often long hours and Saturdays, and I feel like family time is just so precious now. Hopefully it won't be to long before we get another trip  together! 

Sent from my Galaxy S®III