Last Time at the Winter Quarters Temple

Early in June, we had a special family home evening and we went to the temple grounds.  We had done it once before when Dex was JJ's age, but hadn't done it with Jules.  It was also nice to get to spend some time together at the Winter Quarters Temple, Cemetery, and Trail Center one last time as a family.

We stopped at Zip's and got some ice cream and ate it at the picnic tables outside of the trail center.

When our ice cream was gone, we made our way to the temple

That night, I was so grateful for everything we had been blessed with, and had experienced in our four years in Omaha and Council Bluffs.  We learned how to be a family there.  We made great friends, and it was the best ward we have ever been in.

I am so grateful for temples.  I am so grateful that these 2 littles are mine and will be mine in the eternities.  I'm so grateful for Ashton and that we will be together for eternity, too.   

JJ wanted her picture taken with the temple.  So, here is Juliette at the Winter Quarters Temple.

Dex at the Winter Quarters Temple.

They both wanted their picture taken together right next to the temple.

This spot in the cemetery, between the 2 trees, to the right of the grouping of headstones, in the south west corner, is a special place.  It's where I stood 4 years before, and received unquestionable confirmation that we were where we needed to be and that we'd be alright.  I'm so grateful for having had that experience, and I never want to forget this wonderful place.

I remember feeling so grateful for Ashton.  I just loved watching him teach his children about the pioneers and what happened here.

He is a remarkable man.  I adore him.

I love these entrance doors to the temple.  I walked through them many times, with many different acquaintances to clean or do sessions with, and it was wonderful.

And as we left, we snapped a picture of the Trail Center.

It's Turkey Time!

DeeAnn came down for about a week to come play with us.  It was so nice having another adult around and extra hands to help with the kids.  We had fun.  We went and saw the new aquarium at the zoo for the first time and we also took a jaunt to Kansas City to the temple open house there.    I was so excited to take Dexter through the temple.  Every time he plays with his blocks, he builds a temple.  I couldn't wait to show him what the inside looked like.

Well, about 5-10 minutes before we got there, he fell asleep.  It isn't a good idea to wake either of my kids up early from a nap because they are GRUMPY!  He seemed to do alright at first until we were at the entrance of the temple and put the white booties on our shoes to protect the floor inside.  He would not walk in them and threw a fit when we tried to put him down.  He cried so hard that I almost had to take him out.  I finally got him calmed down and we were able to finish the tour.

Inside was gorgeous as always. It had an olive tree theme throughout it.  I love the color of the stone they used on the outside.  It is so pretty.  A sandy off white color.  It was awesome having both of my kids in the celestial room with me.  I only wish Ashton could have come.  It would have been awesome to have all of us there.

After the tour, we enjoyed their snickerdoodles and skittles punch (much to sweet for me).

On our way home, Dexter was talking and said, "It's TURKEY TIME!  Time to go eat turkey at the temple ---with Lainey" (a friend in nursery).  Where that came from, I don't know, but it was hilarious.

*editors note:  I have recently found out that when Dexter says "turkey" and "cookie" they sound exactly the same.  Therefore, I now believe he was saying "It's cookie time".  Maybe we'll just stick with Turkey?

Temple Builder

Dexter loves temples.  He is always asking to go to the temple and he can even name a few from just looking at their picture. St. George (I think that one stuck because of Curious George), Idaho Falls (Grandma/Grandpa Loveless' temple), and Jordan River (Mommy/Daddy's temple).  He loves having his own temple picture in his room, too.

The other day, I went up stairs to check on him and he immediately showed me this;

He exclaimed, "I build a temple!"  

That you did sweet little boy, that you did.

Here is the architect proudly showing his masterpiece.  He told me that the "sun" block was in his words "Angee Mononi".  Such a sweety.

I Love to See the Temple

A few nights ago, Dexter wanted to go to the temple. He kept saying, "Go temple. Shoes on. K." So I looked at Ashton, he finished what he was doing, and off we went to the temple. We stopped at Zesto's and got some ice cream cones, ate them at the park next to the Mormon Trail Center, then walked across the street to the temple. Dexter was pretty cute. He would point up to Angel Moroni, wave, and say, "hi temple! Hi ayngie mononi! Hi!". It was pretty sweet. We let him walk around a little, then we went up to the cemetery behind the temple and he walked around some more, this time gathering sticks. On our way to the car, Dexter was holding my hand and suddenly stopped, turned around, and waved bye-bye to "angie mononi" and blew him a kiss. My heart melted. Thanks little man, for a wonderful family night. We all enjoyed it.

As we drove home, we spotted some deer. Ashton found the country road that they were next to and drove till we found them again. They were so pretty. Small for what you Idahoans know as deer, but large for out here. (They were bigger than a dog, at least). We also saw some wild turkeys and lots of other birds. It was a perfect evening. Just perfect.