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!!!}

Weekends.

We've been busy the last few weekends doing amazing things.

But before I get to that, I forgot to post these pictures a while back. It was on the day the boys went to Patrick's clinic so they could watch the BYU football game. All three of these boys have my whole heart.

Oh, and on the day Maylie had such a high fever, her little "Baby Whisper" laid with her all day. It was very sweet.

This kitten cracks me up every day. He chases Flashlight around the house and she hisses at him and paws at him then takes off running since she's so scared. But it doesn't faze him...he's off again, chasing after her tail the second she starts running. And one day I even found him here:

Easton's been my handsome boy all grown-up lately:

A few Saturdays ago Patrick had an all-day conference to attend, so the littles and I made a list of all the fun things we were going to do. We had a dance party, played outside, played monsters just like Nana and Papa did with them, played a few rounds of Spot It Jr. and Fairy Tales Tell Tales, and finished the evening watching a movie. I absolutely LOVE being a mother. It is the best job in the whole entire universe!!!

Last weekend we made applesauce all by ourselves for the first time ever. We bottled 2 bushels.

The next morning we traveled down to Grandpa and Grandma's house for a little girl's tea party. Grandma put on such a cute little party for the girls. We had lunch with Colbie's tea set and then we made hair bows and ribbons. After the party Mom helped me make stockings--or should I say she practically made them? Sewing is not my favorite thing to do nor is it my forte. But I love how they turned out! I will post pictures when I finish them.

Then yesterday we had a super spectacular family day.

We went out to lunch at Winger's and our waiter was being so sweet to our kids. When we were leaving all the kids said goodbye and Maylie told him she loved him. I think it made his whole day.

After that we went to "Meet the Mormons." I've already been once with the Young Women's so I really wanted to take my family to see it too. Maylie was a little wiggly, but all in all she was very good. During the missionary mom story, I was crying. I looked over at Easton who was sitting beside me and saw little tears in his eyes. I leaned over and whispered in his ear how much I loved him and how much I will miss him someday when he leaves on his mission. He told me he loves me too and gave me such a sincere smile. In my eyes he is the best 7 year old there ever was. I can't really think about what I will do when he leaves on his mission. These years are just so precious....

After the movie we went to a local corn maze and weaved around and around until we finally found our way. We dropped sunflower seeds just like my family did when we were little--so we could leave a trail of where we'd been.

We finished just before dark. It was a fully and satisfyingly wondrous day. 

I can't even express how much I love my family and how much I cherish the memories we make together. Life couldn't be any sweeter...