Utah/Idaho Trip - Part 5 (this was a LONG trip)

Our trip was quickly coming to an end. We headed back to Utah to try to slip in a few more fun things.

 We had plans to meet with some of my VA cousins in Provo Friday night, so that morning we squeezed in Temple Square. It simply was not enough time to see everything there. We walked around the grounds just for a few minutes and then saw the Joseph Smith video. Then we were out of time... so sad we didn't make it over to the Tabernacle or the Conference Center.

I waited ever so impatiently for all the brides to get off the pedestal so we could have a nice family picture, but they didn't seem to even notice us waiting there. I was pretty frustrated that we didn't get a decent picture, or that my kids would even pose half decently. When will they realize that the quicker they are to pose correctly and smile while looking at camera, the less pictures I'll snap each time and the less yelling I will do?!?!

  

Temple Touching: I loved the story of the grandfather who took his small granddaughter on a special trip to the temple for her birthday. As the young girl placed her hand on the door of the temple, the grandfather told her to, “Remember that this day you touched the temple. One day you will go inside.” President Monson spoke of the appreciation the little girl gained of the temple that day, how, “…she had touched the temple, and the temple had touched her.”As we touch the temple and love the temple, our lives will reflect our faith. As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation. The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” -President Thomas S. Monson

So we had each of the kids touch the temple. I couldn't remember the exact story in the moment, but I've included it here so we can recall it later.

We took a quick walk through the new City Creek shopping mall. It was beautiful!

And then finally met up with my VA cousins; Shaila and her husband Adam, Rachel and Bethany (who's not in the picture).  We met at the BYU Creamery. No trip to Provo is complete without a trip here. And it was the perfect way to end our marathon trip!

 We fly out the next morning to get ready to start school!  No rest for the weary. Luckily, everyone was so exhausted that we ALL slept the whole time on both flights home.