Grandpa, this is definitely a post you won't be able to print out for Grandma. Sorry about that.
Mike took the day off of work today and we sure made the most of it. We started out by leaving early this morning to go to the Open House of the Brigham City temple. We have a rule in our house. No one is allowed to wake up before 5. Last night we told the kids they could wake up at 4 so we could get out the door on time. After consulting mapquest, we determined we wouldn't have to leave until 6. The kids were already tucked in bed, but we told them that they didn't need to get up at 4, so please sleep until 5. Oh man! Tears were shed! Boy were they excited to get up at 4!
The drive to Brigham City went smoothly. The kids had all charged their DSs the night before. They played Mario Party the entire way up. They were so cute! Preston was so excited to go to the temple. He has never been in one before. He points them out all the time and has been asking when he could go inside. He was completely adorable the entire time. He was excited about everything. From the bus ride (shuttle), to the temple carpet, to the cookies afterwards. That boy is so happy! And not shy at all!
Jorja & Preston on Preston's FIRST bus ride
Preston kept telling us that the entire ride
When we were in the Celestial Room, Preston laid on the carpet and said how cozy and beautiful it was. Preston and Jorja both got to look in the mirrors in the sealing room, they liked that a lot. I loved being in the temple with my entire little family.
Preston, Maysen, Stockton enjoying the complimentary cookies
Jorja
Preston, Stockton, Jorja, Maysen, Mom
Brigham City Temple
Stephanie, Preston, Stockton, Jorja, Maysen, Mike
Jorja & Preston
Around lunchtime we started for our hike. We wanted to go to the First Waterfall in Bells Canyon. (I always thought it was Bell Canyon until our GPS told me otherwise.) This is one of Mike's favorite places in the world. He spent many days hiking on these trails as he was growing up. Sometimes he would stay overnight with a few friends, sometimes he would go by himself. I can't even imagine. Anyway, we started out by parking in his old driveway and going through his backyard. It took us about 2 1/2 hours to get to the waterfall. The kids did great! Mike was so happy about it. This is not an easy hike, but it was so fun and beautiful.
Stockton
The kids loved sticking their heads in the water. They all loved filling Mike's hat with water and putting it on their head.
Preston, Mike, Maysen
Stockton
Jorja, shortly before she was stung by a bee
Mike
Preston, Maysen
Preston
Preston, Mike
Haha Mike - no wonder my kids are crazy
Stockton - the kids loved drinking out of the camel
Preston, Stockton
Stockton, Maysen, Preston, Jorja, Mike
Preston, Stockton, Jorja, Mike, Maysen
Jorja Porge
We'll try not to hang glide
Preston
Mike & Preston
Mike & Maysen
Preston
Jorja & Stockton
Mike & Preston
Mike, Preston, Stockton, Jorja
Jorja, Preston, Mike, Stockton
Maysen and I had no desire to climb the big rock
Jorja & Preston who just discovered he was bleeding
Preston with Mike who convinced him that
water was just as good as a bandaid
water was just as good as a bandaid
Stockton, Maysen
Stockton
That's my boy!
Preston, Stockton, Maysen
Jorja, Preston, Maysen, Stockton
Preston, Jorja
Jorja, Stockton
Maysen
Preston, Mike
Why did we come so far? Because this waterfall is beautiful! For the record, my iphone takes much better pictures than my little red camera! I only took two with my phone the entire trip. I bet you can tell which ones!
Mike & Jorja, Preston, Maysen, Stockton
Mike & Preston, Jorja, Stockton
Preston, Maysen, Stockton
Stockton looks extremely impressed
Maysen - now there's the enthusiasm we were going for!
Jorja & Mike
Mike & Preston, Jorja, Stockton
Maysen
Stockton & Jorja
Maysen
Preston & Mike
Stockton & Jorja
Stockton, Jorja, Mike
Mike & Preston
Maysen, Preston, Jorja, Mike, Stockton
Preston - he might have a little bit of a dirty face
Jorja & Preston
Preston feel into the freezing water here
Wet Preston
Preston brought Shiver, even though we told him to leave Shiver behind. He claimed he didn't realize he was holding him. Jorja was nice enough to carry Shiver in her backpack. We let Preston take Shiver out for some pictures.
Preston & Shiver....okay, he is adorable
Preston that is. Shiver has been very loved.
Preston is now wearing my shirt. Luckily I had a shade shirt on underneath.
Maysen
Stockton, Maysen, Stephanie & Preston, Jorja
Maysen
Jorja - what a view!
As we started our hike back, Stockton went to climb on some other rocks. They were slippery and he fell. The entire thing was in slow motion, but it scared me to no end! I screamed so loud! Mike yelled, "Don't panic!" I'm thinking, "How can I not panic? My little boy is falling down steep rocks and I can't stop it." Stockton luckily didn't get hurt and claims it was his favorite part of the hike. Not mine. I will be completely fine if I never experience anything like that again.
Stockton and Mike after Stockton's fall
Preston & Maysen
Preston & Stockton - it's getting darker....
Maysen - love that girl!
We're almost down....still the view is incredible.
Maysen, Preston, Mike, Stockton
Mike said when he was little this part was filled with wild flowers
We got home just in time to head to Young Womens. Luckily tonight was a combined activity. A swimming party. The perfect way to rest your feet after a long day hiking.
Maysen
Stockton
When they called everyone to go eat, Maysen and Stockton were only too happy to skip that part of the activity. I think they enjoyed having the pool to themselves.
Well, that is the end of our fun day. Mike and I are going hiking on our anniversary. The hike will be past the first waterfall and about three times as long. We are going to the second reservoir. I have never been there. Mike has always wanted to take me. I hope I can make it!
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