The Grand Canyon

I've never been to the Grand Canyon (at least not since I was a baby). So when Patrick's parents asked us if we wanted to go, we were pretty excited. The drive was long but so peaceful. We stopped at the cutest little cafe called "The Three Bears."

When the scenery started changing into brilliant oranges, I was in awe. I couldn't stop staring at the magnificence that surrounded me on all sides. The scenery was so altogether different than what I am accustomed to...and soooo beautiful.

Looking over into the depths of the Grand Canyon literally took my breath away. I have never seen anything in nature so utterly fascinating.

And hiking it? Now that was an experience. We woke up at 3:30 in the morning, started the hike at 6:30, hiked over 7 miles down the South Kaibab trail, ate lunch (at 9:30) at Phantom Ranch (walked a couple miles down there) and then hiked back up the Bright Angel trail (nearly 10 miles more). Patrick and I completed the hike at 2:30 pm. There were so many lessons I learned. It was simply amazing. I will be finishing up a post for my other blog (writinginthestillness.com) that you can read about the lesson I learned while hiking this trail. It was amazing. And I can't believe I did it.

Also, as a side note, we visited the historic Route 66 twice during the trip to eat at little restaurants. So I guess I can finally say, I got my kicks--on Route 66!!

All in all, it was a trip to remember. I just loved spending time with Patrick. He will forever be my very best friend and I relish any time we get to spend together alone. Thank you Mom and Dad for such an amazing trip!!!

A Winter Vacation.

On Friday we kept the boys home from school so we could travel down to Salt Lake for our winter vacation. We began the afternoon touring one of the most beautiful places in all the world--Temple Square. I feel so blessed to live close enough to this magnificent space set apart from the world in its holiness. I have so very many fond memories of family trips to Temple Square when I was young--not just at Christmastime, but dozens of other times when we would go stay at Little America during my dad's business meetings.

This square represents so much of my childhood and is intricately woven into who I am. Coming back always feels like coming home and I feel so grateful that I get to pass on this wonderful tradition to my own children now.

This night was just the prescription I needed for restoring the Christmas spirit to my heart. Seeing all the millions of lights, hearing the voice of the Savior at the Christus, feeling the wonder of His birth with the new photos displayed, touring the Visitor's Centers. We watched the videos and explained the displays and quotes to our children. Easton watched just about every Homefront available, and we sat together on the bench in front of the Humanitarian display and watched Easton's favorite "corn movie" from when he was little. We laughed as we reminisced. And when we sat in the little dark theater all alone with just our family and watched the #sharethegift movie, my heart nearly burst with love. I whispered the words and phrases to Tate and choked up with emotion. For me, those few sacred moments in that little theater was the highlight of my entire Christmas season. It was just exactly what I needed.


After our Temple Square excursion we settled in to our beds at the Plaza on Temple Square. I also used to stay here as a child and it brought back fond memories as well. We watched a Christmas movie, shared a gigantic over-sized apple and then went to sleep.

 The next morning the littles watched all of the Disney Channel special Christmas editions while we got ready to leave. We ate breakfast at JB's (we also ate dinner there the night before).

{Silly faces}

Then we drove down to Provo to do a little Christmas shopping at the amazing Blickenstaff's, and drive by the two temples in Provo. It was raining so we didn't get out of the car, but it's been so special to visit each of these temples.

After our stop in Provo we drove to Riverton and happened upon Santa and Mrs. Claus while in the grocery store. Maylie told Santa she wanted "skates for everybody" for Christmas, Tate said he wanted a candy cane, and Easton--legos.

This year at the Johnson Family Christmas party, Patrick and I had the privilege of hiding the stockings--which I've been dying to do for 8 years.

When the grandkids opened their stockings they found hand-crocheted monster slippers...certainly the hit of the evening!! {Thank you Grandma for this special gift!!!}

Lagoon!

We met at Natalie and Jon's in the morning to eat lunch and have a family home evening lesson. Papa taught us about spiritual gifts and encouraged us to help our children know what spiritual gifts they have as well as nudge them gently in the direction of the spiritual gifts we perceive they could develop. It was a simple but profound lesson and it's been on my mind ever since. I felt very inspired during his lesson, that this is one of the primary objectives of a mother's nurturing. And I felt called to pursue this mission actively while my children are little and all throughout their growing up years. I have far to go as I begin this process, but the journey excites me. It's always been my deepest, most poignant desire to help my children discover who they are, love who they are and those around them, grow their talents and gifts, point them to the temple, and return home to Heavenly Father. And this charge to recognize and encourage the development of spiritual gifts fits right in with what I feel my motherhood purpose is. Thank you Dad.

*****

Easton and Natalie and Nana rode most of the rides together--Easton's favorite was the Tidal Wave, the Swings,  and Bombora. (I think they went on the Swings 5 or 6 times in a row). Tate joined me and Patrick for most of the day--riding all the new rides he's grown into now that he's barely 46". He loved the Wild Mouse, the Turn of the Century, and most of all the Bumper Cars and Wicked. When we watched his face during Wicked the first time, both Patrick and I were scared. He looked like he was going to be sick or pass out. But as soon as the ride stopped, he got the biggest grin on his face and said, "Let's do it again!!!" And we did--4 more times that day. Easton decided very diplomatically that he didn't want to do Wicked this year (even though he'd been talking about how it was his favorite ride all year.) But that's okay. Maybe next year all 4 of us can go on it together. Maylie loved the Bumper Cars too and the Merry-go-Round and the boats. She didn't love the LadyBug Drop--she was so scared. So we didn't go on that one again. It was so much fun to go on rides with my children. It always is. I don't know why, but it always strikes a sense of wonder in me to see the childlike wonder of my children. They are mesmerized by everything and their enthusiasm bubbles over into my heart as well. It's so fun to take them on all the rides I loved growing up. It's always so magical.

As it turned out, rain was forecasted for our Lagoon trip too this year. But our sweet boys prayed in faith again and fully knew the Lord would bless the skies. And he did. Again. The weather was perfect for almost the entire day. And then around 8:00 pm the downpour began. We were drenched and huddling under shelter while Easton ran around with Jason (who had a jacket) and went on as many rides as he could. Easton wanted to stay and ride more until Lagoon closed, but the rest of us decided it was a good time to end our evening and barely made it to the car in-between downpours.

What a special day we had! I only wish that it wouldn't have been raining there at the end so we could have bought bounce back passes! Maybe next year.... :)

Leaving the Ranch. {Day 5}

I woke up extra special early on our last morning...I wanted 2 hours to myself before everyone woke up. I went to desk by the window and wrote some in my journal.

 Then I bundled up in a blanket and greeted the glorious fresh air.

It was so serene and still and tranquil as I sat in wonderment. This beautiful haven of peace belonged to us for 5 short days. And how would I ever bring these experiences back to our real lives? How could I ever convey what I had felt in my journal, or blog, or to anyone who asked? My heart is always so full of so many things that I could never put into words. I cannot write the smallest part of which I feel. (This is from my beloved hero Ammon.) I said goodbye to my beautiful Island Ranch Retreat and we all vowed to come back again next year. A tradition has been born!

On the way home, we pulled off the side of the road and threw our last messages in a bottle into the Payette River. They were letters of joy and encouragement to whoever finds them. My sweeties wrote the letters all by themselves.

Sadly, The End.

Until next year....