Are you scared of Heights?

We went to Las Vegas over the weekend and made a quick trip to see the Hoover Dam.
I was nervous about my kids being there....it's a really long way down and I'm scared of heights.  After laying down the law about how to act and what NOT to do while we were there we set out across the dam.  Pretty soon into our walk my older boys were saying that they were kinda nervous too.  I was thankful that they were nervous I knew that they would stay away from the edge. 
We were all in AWE of the new bridge they built to by pass the dam.  How was it even possible to build such a structure?  If you are in the area I would suggest going to see it.  The history behind the Hoover Dam itself is fascinating.

Watch my family on 20/20 TONIGHT!

Somehow the post I did yesterday about tonight's episode of 20/20 on ABC has disappeared.

WEIRD.  And BUG.

How does a post just disappear?  I even had a couple of comments.

Anyway....remember to watch 20/20 tonight on ABC. 

Watch my family on 20/20 this Friday

Remember when THIS happened at my parents house in August 2008?  



Watch 20/20 on ABC this Friday night, the 13th to see where they are now and to also see my very own, very camera shy parents!  To see some clips go HERE and click on the one that says something about "the witnesses to the crash".  

Don't forget to watch then come back here to my blog and let me know what you think. 

Searching in Manti

Manti Temple

A couple of weeks ago during Spring Break we took a 2 hour drive down to Manti.  We hadn't been there in about 12 years since Mark went to school at Snow College.  I also had been reading and studying some family history and had a few things I wanted to find in Manti.  My 3rd great grandmother on my mom's side is said to be buried in the cemetery in the picture but we could not find her anywhere.  After getting back home and doing a little more research I read that she is buried there but there is no head stone or marker.  I was pretty disappointed and kind of sad that there is nothing to mark her grave.  It's really sad actually, she emigrated from Sweden, and was a pioneer who crossed the plains from Nauvoo.  She helped settle Midway, where we live now, and then was called to settle Arizona.  After being in Arizona a few years she and her husband came back to Utah.  I don't really know much more about her but I wish I did.  And it's a travesty not to have a marker for her grave.  

We hiked up the hill on the back side of the temple to where these stairs are.  The kids had a lot of fun and I am still in awe of the massive size and beauty of this temple that was built in 1888.

Another thing I wanted to see in Manti was this dug-out house.  I have read in my family history and Mark's about our ancestors living in these dug-outs during their first winter in Manti.  They sit just at the base of the hill of the temple.  The stories are heart wrenching and faith promoting and I'm so glad that they have preserved this dug-out.  It was a good lesson for my kids.

If you have never been to Manti I highly recommend it.  Especially if you live with in a couple hours drive from it.  The drive is easy and the country is so pretty.  I had forgotten how pretty it is down there and just how awe inspiring the temple is.  I don't think I will be waiting another 12 years to go back!

15 Months

Can anyone tell me what Temple this is?? 

Since I'm a BIG girl now, I'm gonna start down here at the bottom
and climb my way up to the very top!

I Made It!
Now LET ME IN!

This baby sister is 15 months old today!  Where has the time gone?
Yesterday was a semi-nice day here in our part of Utah and we were outside enjoying the sunshine when one of my biggest fears came true. 
Clara was stung by a wasp!

We were just minding our own business watching the chickens peck the ground & each other and all of a sudden Clara just started screaming.  I looked down and there was a BIG HUGE wasp on her wrist.  It started swelling right away and I was worried that she might be allergic.  I got her inside and put some ice and clay on her wrist and hoped she didn't have a big reaction. 
Thankfully there was no allergic reaction. 
Poor baby cried for a while though and was pretty fussy the rest of the day.  My hatred of wasps and every other stinging insect/arachnid borders on obsessive.  If I could kill them all I would, I don't give a darn about how they help the earth. I HATE THEM!    Her brothers were so sweet and geared up for war against every wasp in the neighborhood!

This girl hasn't decided to walk yet ! AHHH...  hopefully soon, it's driving me crazy!

She is talking more everyday and knows quite a few animal sounds.  Chickens are her favorite, probably cause she can see ours out the window.  She says "Bop bop" all day and we love it. 
She loves to get into everything she shouldn't and can be quite sneaky about it.  Especially when she is in her brothers room destroying their latest Lego creation!  

This girl is the light of all of our lives and we love watching her grow.