Coming Home

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Coming Home

We had a great time in SLC - especially the first week where we kept a busy schedule with a fun field trip scheduled every day. It is devestating to me that I don't have pictures. We did get my camera to "sort of" work just in time for the trip home, and as I am looking at all the pictures I took in just those two days, I am just dying when I realize how many pictures I don't have from those three weeks. I know that I have sisters and sisters-in-law who took pictures, though, so hopefully some will magically show up in my e-mail...

Anyway, here we are on our trip home.

Andy drove up to SLC and drove home with us. We decided to spend the night in St. George so we could stop by some of the sites that Andy has never been to. We went to the St. George Tabernacle first. Every prophet in the church since Brigham Young has spoken from the pulpit there (although President Monson has not yet spoken there since becoming the prophet). Ammon got to sing into the microphone for us. He sang I Am a Child of God and Called to Serve.

After that, we went to the Brigham Young Winter house. Ammon has been there before, but it was another first for Andy. We enjoyed it, but Peter wanted more freedom than it allowed him.

The boys were happy to get to the condo. We had a blast swimming. Both boys love the water so much!

In the morning, Andy took the boys swimming again. We took our time getting out the door and headed to Vegas. Our first stop was at M&M World. Our directions were confusing, so it took us a few extra minutes to find it, but when we saw it, Ammon was elated! It was a fun way to kill an hour or so.

Our next stop was an amazing aquarium display in the lobby of a hotel. It was just one HUGE tank that was absolutely gorgeous with an array of sea creatures. I was surprised with how breathtaking it was.

Our last stop in Vegas was the M. Ethel Chocolate Factory. It was a self-guided tour with a free chocolate at the end. There was also a botanical garden to walk through. Ammon loved having me read all the signs naming the various plant life. The time in Vegas was a fun way to break up our drive.

We got home around 9:00 last night and the kids went straight to bed. We have never seen so many bugs and bug-GUTS as were on our car when we got home. It was completely gross!

2 comments:

Two Restless RetireesAugust 27, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Wow! Those are great pictures and a great story in spite of the camera trauma suffered earlier. Glad you are all home safe -- and way earlier than I would have expected. Talk with you soon!
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KristaAugust 28, 2008 at 8:55 AM
It was fun to see you guys while you were here! Keep us posted on everything.
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.