Heritage Park

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Heritage Park

As if my weekend hadn't already been great enough with a massage and date night, we spent the following day at Heritage Park as a family (plus two of our favorite neighbor kids). Peter and I had been before, the day we bought our annual pass, but Ammon and Andrew had never been. It was especially fun to have four kids with us. I felt like they fed off of each other in their enthusiasm and it was just so much fun to watch!

We started out with the pony ride. They had three ponies set up so the three older kids rode first. Peter was allowed to go next, but for some reason he refused. He wasn't sad or upset about not riding, but I knew he wasn't scared either because he's done it before and since. I don't know what his hang up about it was. But after the first pony ride they went and played with the goats then rode again. Peter declined the second opportunity as well.

From the animal section, we headed over to the train station. We caught the train and rode it to the boat and gold-digging area. Peter was disappointed that his friend Digger wasn't there. (Digger is the name of the docent who told us about that area last time we were there.) Still, they had lots of fun playing in the water and enjoying the amazing weather. (It seems like we've only been getting good weather a day or two at a time lately, so it was definitely something to bask in.)

We finally tore the kids away from the water and wandered down a path Peter and I hadn't visited before. We saw some old homes and then ran into some handcarts. The kids thought that was pretty fun and Andy helped each of them pull the carts.

We went back for another pony ride after looking at some other things, but the ponies were already put away for the day. Then we stumbled upon a play area with miniature houses and a small wooden train for the kids on. Peter and I hadn't noticed it the first time we were there. The kids played endlessly until Andy and I were too bored and finally drug them away.

Andy suggested that instead of taking our two little friends home, that we go get the rest their family and have dinner in the park. Unfortunately we realized that they had family visiting from out of town and had made dinner plans so it wouldn't work. But we went and got some food and spent the rest of the evening enjoying the beautiful weather eating outdoors and watching the boys play at the playground down the road from us.

I decided that there isn't much better than following a couple date night up with a family date day. Maybe doing it in reverse would work too. Hmm... I might have to give that a try.

No comments:

Post a Comment

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.