It's about time...

Once again, it's been over a month since my last post.  Things are so busy, and since I write in my journal every night, I just don't get to doing this blog. But I figured it was time for another post, and had a few minutes today, so I'm going to update--but since so much has been happening, I only have time to update the last few days (and then maybe you'll see why I never get blogging done--I'm too busy having fun with my family!)

Last Tuesday Karla and the kids (and Karla's twin sisters) came up to Salt Lake for lunch and to visit.  Thankfully, since it was really close to the July break (when things get really slow in our office), I was able to take some extra time to visit with them. We had such a nice time!  Karla brought a picnic and we ate at the picnic tables by the Joseph Smith building.  I was too busy eating to take pictures, and then only got a few pictures afterward because we decided to go see the Joseph Smith movie.  Here are a few pictures of us before we went to the movie:

Here is a picture Karla took of us while waiting for the movie to start:

I've seen the Joseph Smith movie a few times, but it's been two years since I've seen it, and I've never seen it sitting between two darling boys (Ethan and Logan).  They were so sweet--talking and asking questions during most of the movie (especially Logan).  I wish I'd had my pen with me to take notes about what they said.  I tried to write some of it down afterwards, so here is some of what I remember: 

• Logan was so cute about the operation Joseph had when he was seven years old, asking all kinds of questions about it.  Then after the operation when it shows Joseph's older brother helping him walk, Logan said, "He and his brothers were good friends," and later, when people were teasing Joseph about the First Vision, and his brother Alvin stood up for him, Logan talked about how good it was that his brother helped him.  
• During the First Vision part where it shows Satan trying to stop Joseph from praying, Ethan said something about how if we pray, Satan will always go away, and that God is always more powerful.
• A preacher was telling Joseph that he shoudln't believe in revelation, and Logan said, "Yes he should!"  
• When they showed the Kirtland temple, Ethan said, "I know which temple that is!  It's the Kirtland temple!" 
• At the part where Alexander Doniphan told the general that if he shot Joseph Smith he would hold him accountable before an earthly tribunal "so help me God..."  Logan said, "Oh no!  He just said, "God."  I told Logan that the way he said it was more like a prayer.  Later Logan said something about how God was helping Joseph and Hyrum, and said, "It's okay for me to say 'God' because I'm talking about the movie, right?" 
• My favorite part was during Liberty Jail, where people were taunting them and saying that God had forgotten them.  Both Ethan and Logan burst out, "He hasn't forgotten him!  It's just not time yet!"  I thought that was so profound.  

It was just such a unique experience to watch such a special movie with some of my sweet nephews, and I'm so glad I got the chance to go with them (even if I did take a three hour lunch that day!  Thank goodness it slows down at my job occasionally!)

Next are some pictures I took on the bus on the way to work.  I love summertime--with green leaves on the trees, and the sun shining first thing in the morning.  The first picture is on 400 S, the second picture is as we are turning onto State Street--with the City and County Building showing.  I always think of my Grandpa Spendlove when we drive past that building, becuase he worked there for a long time.  The third picutre is as I was walking onto the Church Plaza, and the sun was so beautiful shining on the trees.  I love working at Temple Square!

I decided to take Friday off work, since July is my time to use my vacation hours.  One of my favorite things to do when I wasn't working a few years ago was to go on playgroups with my sisters and sisters-in-law, so I was glad I could go this time.  It turned out they were planning to go to Temple Square, so even though I was technically going up to where I work on my day off, I was so glad to go twice in one week with nieces and nephews.  This time I went with Emilee and Melissa (and met some of Melissa's neighbors for a short time).  We first went up to the temple so the kids could touch the temple, but got a picture on the stairs first.  I just couldn't decide beween these two picutures, so I put them both in.  Aren't they darling!

Then we went to the North Visitor's Center and watched the new video displays they had down there.  The kids loved them.  Here are some pictures:

We did go see the Christus, and visited the Tabernacle, Assembly Hall, and the South Visitor's Center, but since this post already has so many pictures in it, I thought I'd not put more in.  I'll end with a final picture.  We went to lunch in the Church Office Building cafeteria (and it was weird to be there in my street clothes--but they have such good food at such low prices, and I love having the kiddies there).  Then we went to the 26th floor to look out over the valley, and the kids seemed ot really like it.  It was just a really fun time!

We had a really full day on Saturday the 3rd.  In the morning, my nephew Brendan was baptized.  It was such a special experience.  We will have four baptisms this year, since we had four 2002 babies, and it is just so precious to see them all dressed in white. I'm so proud of Brendan for making the choice to be baptized--and have to admit that I got quite teary eyed during the baptism.  Here is a picture of me and Jan with Brendan, and then Brendan with his parents:

One thing that I wished I could have taken a picture of was Jan and I on a bench in the chapel with half of the little nieces and nephews sitting by us, all in a row.  I love that our little ones like to be with us!  We had a luncheon afterwards at the Church pavilion, but it was so windy that our plates kept flying up and spilling food all over, so I didn't get too many pictures.  Here's one of three of my nieses, and you can see the wind is blowing!  We joked that it sure would be memorable!

Later in the afternoon we went to Dan and Emilee's house.  Mike and Janelle were over there so that Kate could use Dan's skate ramp.  Apparantly Kate's little friend has taught her how to skate, and she is a natural.  We had so much fun watching her.  Here is a picture of her, and then of Dan helping Matthew to skate:

Then Kate stayed out in the yard to help Dan build a trellis for their garden.  Here is one of my favorite pictures, with Jan helping her to drill a hole:

And, speaking of gardens, here is Dan and Emilee's garden.  It looks so great--they have done so much work on it!  There is something so wholesome about a garden...

Finally, on Saturday evening we gathered for our family 4th of July celebration.  The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, especially our tradition (in its 3rd year) of having the Southern Family "Not-so-Special Olympics."  This year we went a litte more low key, since we had so much going on in the morning.  But a new thing this year was that my Dad created a spreadsheet to keep track of the scores, and Steve wanted to broadcast it, so he brought the big TV screen down so everyone could see who was winning: 

 Each family competes as a team.  This year Jan and I were assigned to Emilee and Michelle's families.  Chelle pointed out that they were going to list it as "DaMilles and a single J," but didn't want to point out the fact that we are single (since I'm a little sensitive about that), so they listed it as "DaMilles and one J," and "DaChelles and other J."  I thought that was nice.  So, here are the Olmpics pictures (drumroll....)

Three legged race!

Sack race!

Balloon toss (at which I got completely soaked at a toss from Emma)!

Wheelbarrow race!

And, my favorite, the obstacle course.  Each family had to use all members of their family, and start by going under the rings...

Up the playset and down the slide...

Through the tires and around the swimming pool....

Hit the ball through two croquet hoops, and then run around the poles...

And tag Dad at the end!

We decided to have the pie eating contest at the end this time, so that everyone wouldn't be sick during the obstacle course.  So, here is the pie eating contest!

And, a new tradition this year.  Since we had the TV down on the table, we watched a few Brian Regan skits before we went out front for fireworks.  It was so fun to laugh together!

After a spectacular sunset....

...we all gathered in the front yard for fireworks!  We have done this for at least 20 years in our family, and I love having so many kids to sit with.  They love it (except Jenni, who doesn't like the loud noises--but she stayed out this time!)  Dave and Melissa brought star cookies and glow sticks, the boys handled the lighting of the fireworks, and we all had a great time!

I guess you can see why I don't post very often!  I'm just so grateful to have all of my family around, and to get to spend time with all of them.  And, I'm so grateful for a free country where we can worship and live as we please.  I'm so glad I was able to see all of my family for the holiday!  Happy Independence Day!