A Logan 'n Lava Overnighter

Rob's been working quite a bit of overtime lately, which means I've also been working a lot of overtime lately. We needed to get away for a quick break! So I planned a perfect overnight getaway for our family of five.

We spent our first day and the night in Logan, Utah. We really enjoyed lunch at King Taco. 

Next we visited Willow Park Zoo. It's small but perfect for a buck fidy per person! 

Right next door is a big park and since it was such a beautiful day we spent some time here just hanging out.

Of course we were thirsty after all of that play time so we got drinks at Fizz N Fryz. This place is so fun for the family! Drinks start at, again, a buck fidy. They have all sorts of drinks that can be customized a million different ways. The kids thought this was SO cool.

Next up, The Jump Zone!

We had a few minutes before dinner so we got some ideas for the kids' Christmas lists at The Book Table (and toy store) on Main Street.

Next up, dinner which was delicious as always at Le Nonne! We all ate well. We even got to see a couple of Rob's beautiful cousins who own and run the restaurant. 

After eating, we were off to our lodgings for the night. I found this SWEET cabin to rent right on the edge of Hyrum Lake and it really was perfection. We all loved the two double-sized bunk beds, table, and kitchenette. At $48 a night, it was a complete steal for a perfect little hideaway!

We played family board games and ate snacks before bedtime.

Morning came and the kids couldn't wait to explore the lake in our front yard! We ate cereal and cleaned up and we were off for more exploring!

We planned to visit the Logan Temple but the grounds were closed so we drove on to our next destination: Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. 

We first ate at the The Royal Hotel and Pizzeria before patronizing a couple of rock shops. 

We walked down the Sunken Gardens path before heading in to The Lava Hot Springs Hot Pools. We didn't take our phones in so no pictures but there were 5 hot wading pools varying in temperature of 103 degrees up to 112 degrees. You'd think that the 9 degree difference between the coolest pool and the hottest pool isn't that big of a deal but it sure is. We were all able to play and relax VERY comfortably in the 103-105 degree pool but Rob could barely walk across the 112 degree pool. The whole place was so clean and beautiful and relaxing. We thought it was great!

(Side note: This was Nate's first time in a men's locker room and he thought it was hilarious...lol) 

Afterward, the kids played at the tiny old-fashioned playground across the street for a few minutes before we drove to dinner. The kids had been begging for a long time for us to take them to Texas Roadhouse so that's where we ate. Do you think they were tired at this point?

Then we listened to loud music the rest of the way home. The whole overnighter was so relaxing and family-oriented and JUST what we needed!   

A Goodbye to a Calling

I had been the primary secretary for 2 yrs when our stake was split in January 2013. When the bishop called me in I knew why. He told me that he was about to call another sister to be president but then stopped and realized he needed to call me. I was nervous and wasn't always glad he extended that call. There were many times I was just DONE. But there have also been so many times that I've been so glad he did and I've been truly blessed to be in primary!

At the time I became the primary president it was amongst the chaos of half our of ward leaving and half of a new ward coming in. Adults and kids alike were sad to be leaving friends.

I didn't know many people and we only had a few teachers in place. I browsed facebook a little bit while contemplating whom to call for my counselors and secretary. All I had to go on were names and maybe a profile picture. However, I was still able to get inspiration on the women that would bless our primary and, especially, me! I love them all and everything would have just fallen apart if it weren't for them. I value their strengths, talents, and opinions, especially when they've differed from mine! I trusted and relied on them and they never let me down. I appreciate them more than they know.

During the 2 1/2 years I served I went through 3 second counselors, 3 secretaries,  3 music leaders, 3 pianists, and COUNTLESS teachers and nursery, achievement day, and scout leaders. On average, we had approximately 100 primary children and 25 nursery children. Our bishopric changed 3 times. Our church time and primary schedule changed 4 times. Our church building changed once.

Much of my time as the primary president felt more like I was a human resources manager! I spent so much time figuring out callings, memorizing the huge list of children's names that constantly came in and out of the ward, putting out logistical and emotional fires, and just plain trying to get everything (or ANYTHING) to run smoothly!

Sundays and primary gatherings could be quite chaotic BUT, every once in a while it would just click. Usually they were the times when I or one of my counselors or music leaders shared our testimony to the children and teachers and the room would grow still.

I will miss working with all the men and women I came to know. I am such an introverted person that it usually takes me YEARS to feel comfortable in a ward and to make friends. This calling definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone and I feel more at home in my ward and neighborhood than I ever have anywhere else. I LOVE my people!

And the KIDS. What a blessing they have been to me! I thought it would take me a while to feel comfortable up in front of them all but they made it so easy. I love each of their little and big personalities. I love their smiles. I love their quirks.

A couple of months ago I had to give a talk in sacrament meeting. I told the kids beforehand in sharing time that I was nervous because I was so used to talking to them, rather than their parents. So I asked them to help me feel more comfortable by looking up at me during my talk so I would feel like I was just in primary. And they DID! I saw SO many sweet faces looking up at me, supporting me. I love them for that moment and for many others.

My last Sunday doing sharing time was also special for me. I didn't know it would be my last but it couldn't have gone better. The topic was on sharing the gospel. As I was pondering my lesson, general conference came on and during one of the speakers I felt strongly that I needed to ask my dad to share his conversion story. I only vaguely remembered a portion of it so I didn't know exactly what he was going to say. After I had the primary kids write notes to our new missionary that just left, I showed the video of my dad. It's a good story!




I ended by sharing how grateful I am that someone shared the gospel with my dad because he was baptized. Then he and my mom taught me the gospel and I was baptized. Now my husband and I are teaching my kids and they are or will be baptized. During my dad's and my own testimony, the room was still.

Afterward, our junior primary was invited into Sunday School to sing the closing hymn to the group. I held hands with a couple of the children while we sang I Am a Child of God. Once again, the room was still.

Those still rooms are a manifestation of children of God feeling the Holy Ghost tell them that what they are hearing and feeling is good and important. I didn't accomplish every goal I had for my primary during the time I was serving but I think we, as a presidency, helped the kids know they are a child of God and how good it feels in our hearts when the spirit testifies. We tried to mention it every time we felt it happen so the kids knew that's what they were feeling...the still small voice telling them that they are loved. Those are the moments I will savor forever.

California 2015 - Beach Time

One of the priorities of our trip to California this year was to have some really good beach time and boy did we ever. A huge bonus was a significant storm far out to see pushing monster waves towards California. This produced some of the best waves I’ve ever seen in California (not that I’ve seen all that many but still). Such a blast to play in the sea for hours at a time and hang out with my entire family.

Check out the video to experience all the fun.

We went to Huntington Beach multiple times because it is such a great beach and was so near to where we were staying. The first afternoon/evening we setup shop near the pier. Great spot and the sunset was mind blowing! I included a couple photos from all our visits to Huntington Beach.

The other beach we hit was Little Corona del Mar. This place is literally a treasure. Just take a look. You’ll know what I mean.

A couple of last thoughts about the beach. The ocean is an amazing place; the smells, the sounds, the sand and sun are all so breathtaking. On the flip side the sea is so powerful and that can be a little scary. I (Rob) am not a strong swimmer so getting out just a little too far makes me uneasy.

I loved watching the kids on the beach and playing with them. You can’t pay for that kind of happiness, joy, and fun. It comes from nature. Literally amazing.