Joy in the Journey

Family is About Time

I was out for the night and the girls were with Gma and Bahnka D. so Jared took Robby and Hyrum to Applebees.

Again I was somewhere (I promise I am home alot) and Daddy made this slip-n-slide for the kids.

The whole time we lived in Germany I missed going to the library. I remember my mom taking us and we would pick piles of books to take home. The library is one of my favorite places to spend my time. I have been so excited to do the same things with my kids. My library card was one of the first things I got when we moved here. Now we try to go to story time once a week. I wasn't sure if they liked it, but we didn't make it this week and they were asking about it.

We decided to go Antelope Island, since we live so close.

We decided to try the buffalo burger. This is us waiting for it. They were good.

Hyrum wasn't too excited when we waded in the lake. I think the salt was bothering him. We all got wet, but Katie and Hyrum were soaked.

This buffalo was standing right next to the road, taking care of an itch.

We Are Park People

We spent an FHE the other day at a local park. I used to play there when I was young. It has changed, but the kids loved it.

After we let the kids play for a bit we had a picnic. Then Gma and I took the kids on a little walk. Sadly, Katie wasn't being obedient so she had to wait on the bench with Daddy.

A Little Bit Here...A Little Bit There

This little beauty was our handsoap in Germany. My girls love Hello Kitty...I had nothing to do with that!!! Anyway, Alicia couldn't sing the ABCs to wash her hand long enough, so I told her to sing the Happy Birthday Song. So she would sing Happy Birthday to Hello Kitty.

Someone really didn't pay attention to how they cut the letters on it.

Our moving container finally arrived a couple days ago. Before it came, Jared was building a shed in our backyard. He got attacked by a 2X4. He almost needed stiches. The good guy just kept going and helped unload the container.

On Sunday we couldn't find Katie. Guess where we found her, in our closet with the lotion...everywhere!!!

I guess my family has a park" named" after them here. Who knew they were so popular.

Temple Square FHE

Since we decided to move back to the US I have been so excited to take my kids to Temple Square, one of my favorite places in the world. So we did it for FHE a couple weeks ago. Gma and Bahnka Jensen came with us. We love being so close to do these things with them.

Hyrum and is namsake.

Naturally, the fountains were a big hit.

No visit is complete without seeing the Christus.

At the Christus Jared told the girls about when I surpised while we were engage, by showing up right there, while he was in Utah on a business trip.

Then we showed them where he proposed to me just minutes after I surprised him. Luckily, Ray was prepared and slipped him the ring, he had snuck with him.

Hyrum freaked out each time he saw water. He kept saying "lulul", he was just so excited.

We wrapped up the evening by eating at the new City Creek Shopping Center. Can't wait to explore it more another time.

Showers

Since being here I have gone to 2 showers with family. It is so nice to be involved in all these things again. I still have a hard time believing it.

The first was a baby shower for Jared's sister, Rike. We are hoping to get a call anytime to hear the baby has arrived.

Janet, our friend who hosted the shower, had it all set up so beautifully.

My mom and I bought them a swing for the baby. Jacob, and Katie, helped set it up. Thanks!!

The second shower was a bridal shower for my cousin Cam.

Again time with the ladies of the family.

I loved seeing people after so many years. It is amazing how much we change, yet stay the same.

All the presents made me want to get married again, especially since we are starting over again and need to so many things. Maybe we should have a housewarming party.

The one in yellow is the bride.

With the Family

Jared and I decided one day to travel up north to see where Ray and Beate are living now. We don't get to see them nearly as much anymore. They took us up the canyon for a brief picnic.

We saw their home and then went to the park. The men enjoyed throwing the football, and the ladies like talking while the kids played on the playground.

We spent Memorial Day again with Jared's family. We went to the cemetery to visit the family graves. I had never seen them. We would do this in Germany and it is great to do it here.

At Great-Grandpa Dautel's grave.

Brandon and Becca (who came with us) were so sweet and cleaned all the dead leaves and flowers off the grave stones.

I had to take 3 kids to the bathroom and saw this in the morg while I was waiting. Pretty Cool!!

I also loved this at the cemetary.

The next day Brandon decided it was going to be an early father's day and birthday celebration for his dad, since he was going to be gone for both events. So my mom made this cake it. Yummy!!!