The walks around the area seeing signs of spring, the cool buildings, the secret garden on top of the Church of Jesus Christ's Temple Visitor Center where you could just soak in the sun, the quiet, and the beauty of the area...….
Seeing this cool statue of Benjamin Franklin and having it remind me of the Lincoln Memorial and other cool areas where great men in history have been recognized...…
Hanging out with Dale and two of the board members that flew out when we did and Dale getting his picture taken with three women, being a "Mormon" in LOVE Park. No, he isn't a polygamist.
It was a fun trip---we live in a pretty great country. God Bless America!!
Dale and I got home from Philly and left for St. George after getting a full day in before we were heading to St. George. Day 1: We arrived and met up with the Mallory's and the Hassell's for a tasty dinner and Pickleball and fun at the park after. (Yes, I climbed to the top of the pole by myself and got down by myself, thank you 😏)
Day 2: Amie got up early and went with Danica and Jason to take pictures of them among the red rocks.
Then we all got dressed in our Sunday clothes and went to see Danica and Jason be sealed together for time and all eternity in the St. George Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Danica and Jason were so cute and the man who preformed the sealing did an awesome job and was so cute. Together forever and couldn't be happier, Congrats guys!
We had a small group there representing the Hansen side, but it was great. Danica's Uncle Doug and Aunt Donna from Overton, NV came too. It was great seeing and visiting with them.
When Danica was eight years old her Primary teacher took her Primary class to the temple grounds to walk around and to get their pictures taken. Then for their Activity Day they made a Temple Can, that was only to be opened when she went to the temple to be sealed to her husband. Danica opened it and was quite touched at what she found in it. A white handkerchief, a pamphlet about the temple, a letter from the Bishop, a letter from us, and a picture of her. Pretty cool to see her dream come true.
We took a few pictures and then the group went to eat at the Pasta Factory after to celebrate and visit. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon with family. Thanks to all that came and supported them.
We went back to the hotel and changed and then headed up to go on a hike on the Red Mountain Trail. What a beautiful area! Luckily it wasn't real hot, and the trail was pretty easy for the little ones and well as the older ones, but it was longer than some of the little ones wanted it to be so we took turns giving them piggy back rides.
Once we got to the end of the trail we were glad we all stuck it out, it was beautiful!! You could see for miles, just breathtaking!
We got back at dusk a little dusty, a little tired, a lot hungry, but we were glad we went.
Thanks Jason and Danica for showing us this hike.
Day 3: We slept in while Dad and Andrew took their mountain bikes out on some of the trails. Dad came home with a scraped up shin, and Andrew's bike got a flat tire and then the spare got a flat tire on the way back, but they made the most of it and had a good time.
We decided to wear dad out a little more and went climbing on the red rock at Pioneer Park. They have areas where people rock climb and you can climb on and among the rocks.
They also have areas that are like slot canyons where it's pretty narrow. We thought we'd give it a try. Some of the areas were pretty tight for dad and I and at the end I almost got stuck in one area because I couldn't get my foot to get leverage to got up on this other rock because of my short legs and it being tight. I felt bad for the group behind us that had to wait, but with Dale behind me to give me his foot to stand on for more height and a little push and Amie above giving me a pull I got out and was SO glad I made it out! Chalk that one up as a lesson learned. Never hike alone, you may need help. I was sure glad I had help!
We went swimming at the pool after to cool off and then went back to the park for a picnic and more Pickleball and fun while the guys went to the Priesthood session of General Conference. Then they joined us. We were all ready for bed after today.
Day 4: We got breakfast, packed up and headed out, listening to General Conference on the way. Stopping in Payson at a park for sandwiches and to stretch our legs. Home felt good, it was a busy week for us, but so awesome!!
I ushered the show Mama Mia, put on by the Cache Theater Company, at the Eccles. What a fun show with great music. I was glad I got to help out and see it as well.
I also served in the Logan Temples Youth Center and watched a beautiful 6 month old be sealed for time and all eternity to her parents. She had older siblings there as well. This family held a wonderful spirit about them. It was a pleasure to serve them.
Dale got a early birthday surprise with a fishing trip with our boys, Andrew and Garrett, and a couple of neighbors, Dave Rayfield and Justin Anderson. They went fishing on some private land that Justin knew about and had the time of their life catching BIG fish!! You only turn 60 once, so we had to do something big for the Patriarch of our home and family.
He also got another early surprise at church on Sunday when his 2nd counselor in the Bishopric with him announced a "Linger-Longer" he didn't know anything about after our church block. The ward threw a surprise Birthday Brunch in his honor. They had the area set up with balloons and even a birthday cake and when he walked in we all sang "Happy Birthday" to him. It was a win, win for all.
We picked up Dale's mom, VerNae Hansen, and celebrated with Dale's niece, Halle Hansen, by going to her mission farewell in Nibley, and then visiting with family after. She'll be an awesome missionary. We wish you the best Halle!
Dale went to a UASBO Conference in Provo for a couple of days. I didn't go with him this time because I had some things to do here, that I didn't feel I could get out of. So I ended up doing some exercising and a temple session with my friend Kathy Fishburn to fill up my evenings while he was gone.
Dale got one more birthday surprise, but this one was on his actual 60th birthday, at work. I had worked with a couple of his co-workers and brought in balloons and decorations, and donuts for him to celebrate his big 6-0 with the office crew. They set it all up so when he got to work it was there. Happy Birthday Dale!! You look young for an old 60 year old!!
We held our annual Hansen Easter Egg Hunt and Lunch here with the kids the Sat. before Easter. The weather turned out to be nice enough that we could do it all outside in the warm sunshine. I put symbols of Easter in with the eggs again this year, but also changed it up a bit and put numbers in the eggs that gave them the opportunity to go to Grandma's store and turn their number in for a prize. This was a fun twist that I think I'll make a tradition. We all had a good time.
I started doing what is now called Acadience (DIBELS) testing for the Cache County School District. We're halfway done!! My how times flies when you're having fun, right?
We also celebrated my birthday, but not in a big way because I'm still younger than Dale. Dale gave me a bouquet of beautiful flowers.
We went to Amie and Matt's for dinner and cake and ice cream to celebrate. Lindsay and the kids and Jason and Danica even showed up. Danica painted up a watercolor picture of some daisies for my birthday and Mother's Day. I'd say she got some talent. It was a great day.
Nate made up a Facebook post that explained what he's been dealing with this past while to tell people that he and Kim are getting a divorce. I know this has been hard of both of them, but they feel it's best for them. I'm sharing his post because I feel he said it so well.....
The mountains have always been my happy place, the place that inspires and grounds me. The place I escape to when life's challenges need to be placed on hold. They help me gain perspective, reestablish priorities, reevaluate and recommit to goals. This picture is of me solo ice climbing the Great White Icicle up Little Cottonwood Canyon earlier this year. Not an overly challenging climb but one that required complete focus. I was at the peak of working my way though a divorce and desperately needed an escape from the constant mental strain that had been weighing down on me for the past few months. As per the usual, I left that climb feeling enlightened, excited and more focused on what lies ahead
Nate continues to build up his practice at Mill Creek Podiatry and get outside when he can to evaluate what life is throwing at him. He got in some trail running in the Tiger Mountain area in Washington. I admire his will and determination to stay strong and to stay in shape. He has always loved being active and in the outdoors. Washington is such a beautiful state with so much to do. Love you Nate, we hope the best for you.
The Mallory's took advantage of the Spring Break in school and also took advantage of a local skate night at the Eccles ice arena and laced up the skates for some fun on the ice. They also headed to southern Utah for some fun in the sun. They met up with our Brady cousin, Jessie Del Toro and family in Henderson, NV and went to Hoover Dam and then played in St. George with us after Danica and Jason's temple sealing.
The kids sports are winding down and Kennlyn had a terra cotta pot she made out of potter's clay in the schools art show.
Matt had a conference for work in Sun Valley for a couple of days and Amie went with him to give her some time to kick back and enjoy some "me" time. Dale and I slept over one night and helped with the kids, Getting them to school and their games. We took them with us out to Richmond for dinner and to celebrate Arwyn's birthday. Amie and Matt stopped by and they went home with them.
Happy Birthday Arwyn!! What a little cutie you are. We love you!
Andrew hit the slopes and the trails this month by skiing at with Danica, Jason, Zandra, and Garrett and then biking with Dad in St. George.
Lindsay had a bad kidney infection that put her down for a couple of days after Andrew had gone back east for work, so I stopped by after work a couple of days and helped out by helping with homework and bedtime. Zandra also came and helped out because Garrett was gone for a conference a couple of days. Once they figured out what it was and the meds kicked for Lindsay, she was up and going though. I was glad I could have a little grandma time with the kids.
Zandra had her mom, Gloria, with her for a few days and they got to go to live session of General Conference as well. I'm sure Gloria loved having a little grandma time with the kids as well.
Garrett went to Fort Collins, CO and San Antonio, TX for work. He was able to get in some golfing in Fort Collins and see the Alamo and other sights while he was in San Antonio.
Jason and Danica got in a few trips to St. George. One for a get together with friends to get out on that beautiful red rock and in the sunshine, and one to be sealed in the St. George Temple, and spend time with family.
They also got to go to the 1st Jazz Play-off game against the Houston Rockets. The Jazz lost 93-100, but it was a great game. Too bad their season's over, I guess Jason and Danica will have to fill up their evenings in other ways, which I'm sure won't be a problem with them.
The world had a sad day when the news shared that the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris caught fire and had some substantial damage done to it. This building is a piece of history and had wonderful murals in it. It will take a long time to restore it to what if was if that can be done.
I'd say that April definitely had it's adventures to talk about and share.
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