A Sunday Afternoon Trip to the Temple

Some Sundays when we aren't visiting family for dinner, we go for a drive to one of the many temples that are in the valley. This particular Sunday we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. It's a long but easy drive and you can get out and walk around.

I also wanted to take some pictures since it had been a while since I've attempted anything remotely artistic.


Not all of them are fancy, of course. This is just cute.


So is this one.


One photography element I have seen a lot lately is angled shots. I think this one works, but I'm not sure about my other attempts.


Another attempt at an angled shot. I can't decide if I like it or not. What do you think? Overall, I don't think I like them and probably won't be doing them in the future. Not that I think they can't be done right, but because I don't think I can do them right.


One photography tip I learned that was immensely useful was to stand farther away and zoom in. I really like the way it brings out the subject.


The walk itself was fun, and the boys had fun with the crusty old snow.




A couple of fun pictures:


I saw this jet in the sky and immediately tried to take a picture of it. I would never have found it in the camera's view screen if it hadn't been flying behind that tree. Plus, the tree makes the shot much more interesting.


I love taking pictures of the moon and this might just be my favorite one yet.

Most of all I love taking short little relaxing trips with my family. That was the best part.

Valentine's Day Cookies

My boys are starting to get into my new forced family tradition of decorating cookies.



They don't mind the eating part, but sometimes they aren't as patient for the decorating part.


Nathaniel has been enjoying our new tradition. He likes to create different designs.


Jaaromy's been getting into it more too. See how happy he looks!


This was one of my cookies. Sorry about the blob that is supposed to be an "I", the little frosting tubes pool up when they haven't been used in a while. I probably should have tested it out on a napkin.


In the end we had some fabulous looking, and fabulous tasting, Valentine cookies.

On Valentine's Day I decided I needed a picture of myself and Jaaromy together since...well, since it was Valentine's Day. We had a few good ones.





Yep, that's why I married him and I stand by my decision.

Jonathan's Baptism

Jonathan was baptized on February 4th. We decided to wait a month since December was so busy and we wanted to make sure we had enough time to prepare him. I found a great book about Baptism from Deseretbook.com that really simplified the promises he was about to make. I also had the bishop give us a copy of the questions he would be asking in his interview. I'm so glad we were able to prepare him for it.


The baptism itself went well. Along with the spiritual preparation, we also prepared physically by going to the pool and practicing going under the water. Jonathan did okay and was ready to go under. I heard later that the water was really cold. On top of that, the first time Jaaromy put him under his foot came out of the water. Jaaromy told him that he would have to go under again and Jonathan said "No thanks, I think that's enough." It made everyone laugh, but he was a trooper and did it again, this time Jaaromy stood on his toes so his feet wouldn't come up again. The second time was a success.

After the baptism and confirmation Grandma Hand gave Jonathan his very own set of scriptures with his name on them any everything.

Pretty sweet. Add that to the new scripture case he got from Grandma Patti and Jonathan is looking pretty righteous!

We all got together in the gym afterwards for a delicious lunch. I'm so glad we were able to get the gym because there are so many of us, and I'm so thankful that everyone was able to come. Plus, the food was super tasty!

I'm so proud of Jonathan for making the decision to be baptized. He's been looking forward to it for a long time.

An Exciting New Treat

My sister-in-law posted on her blog a while back about making mini S'mores with her kids using Teddy Grahams, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows. She posted about them, like, forever ago and I finally got around to trying it out. It's perfect for our family since it is highly unlikely that we will go camping to make the regular kind.


The kids loved it!


It's entertaining in itself too. If you hold the marshmallow in the same place for too long it catches fire. So we'd hear a lot of silence followed by an "OH!" and then blowing. Jonathan thought it was particularly entertaining.


I think this picture is a perfect illustration of the activity's volatility.


I don't know if I would quite trust Brigham with an open flame but it was a moot point since he doesn't like marshmallows. He was plenty happy with the Teddy Grahams and chocolate chips though.

It was so fun that we've done it a few more times since then. Thanks, Sara!