We went swimming a couple of times at an indoor pool (it was cold outside and rainy!!). The kids couldn't get enough of the 2-story slide, and Analise could wander out pretty far in the water without it going over her head. Why doesn't KS have anyplace like this indoors? O.K., besides Great Wolf Lodge which costs and arm and a leg to go to and a new place which is a ways away??
It truly is a small world. Steve's brother in law served a mission with someone whose sister went on art history study abroad with me in 1992. Natalie invited her, some of her family, her sister-in law, Laura and family (who were visiting from CA and who I haven't seen for a very long time) over for dinner.It was great to catch up with her after so many years while the kids played in the park!
It truly is a small world. Steve's brother in law served a mission with someone whose sister went on art history study abroad with me in 1992. Natalie invited her, some of her family, her sister-in law, Laura and family (who were visiting from CA and who I haven't seen for a very long time) over for dinner.It was great to catch up with her after so many years while the kids played in the park!
Natalie taught gospel doctrine on Sunday. She did a great job dodging the whole caffeinated drinks issue while talking about the Word of Wisdom. As much as I loved sitting through gospel doctrine and Relief Society I have to say it was hard! I felt like I should be running around doing primary stuff instead of sitting.After church we went to Temple Square. We spent a lot of time in the visitors center looking at the interactive exhibits. Analise liked pressing buttons more than anything else, but the other girls enjoyed the movies.
We stopped in the tabernacle and I couldn't help sharing memories with the girls about how we used to get up really early to stand in line to sit in the tabernacle. We would be packed like sardines sitting on the hard benches around the top of the tabernacle, listening to conference. 
Utah has gotten more rain than usual and because of that my sister's drain overflowed with water and flooded her garage. She had someone come out to help fix it the next week but until then we were on a vigilant rain watch. Here's my sister bailing out her driveway after more rain. 
One morning we attended the Oquirrah Mountain Temple open house. This was a real highlight for me and I think it really made an impact on Kiersten and Abs. The tour was pretty much a self-guided tour with signs in each room and so Natalie and I explained what happened in each room and shared our testimonies of the restored gospel. The girls were amazed at the mirrors in the sealing room. The Spirit was so strong. I couldn't think of anything better than being in the temple with my children. I can't wait until they can realize all of the blessings of the temple!
This trip was an eye-opener for Kiersten as far as the church goes. We could see 2 temples from my sister's deck, and we passed church after church after church. She couldn't believe how many there were in Utah.Zoo Day--kids loved it. It's not a big zoo but the animals are up close and personal. I can't help but compare it to KC. A lot bigger but a whole lot harder to get around.
Of course we had to ride the carousel!
Natalie and Kendon.
One day we drove the 3 hours from SLC to Burley, Idaho to visit my parents' graves. My parents spent most of their married lives in Boise, but when my dad died, we felt like he should be buried in Burley, where he grew up. My parents are in the same cemetary as my grandparents, and a lot of other Nielson relatives (Kiersten remarked at how many Nielsons there were)!
It's been 11 years since my dad died and this July it will be 3 since my mom died. I think that when someone close to you dies the hurt is almost unbearable. Even after you feel like you've grieved, thinking about them is painful. You push the pain away daily, trying to forget how much you miss them, trying not to think about what you wish you could share with them. Although we were crying, Natalie and I were able to share a sweet moment remembering our parents and laying flowers at their resting place.
The girls in front of the falls. Analise wouldn't turn around because she was so taken with all the water.
Natalie and Kendon.
Another day we went to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point--one of our favorite places! Analise got caught up with the dinosaur puzzles. 
A lesson in erosion--or just digging for dinos!
Uncovering bones.
BYU was a trip down memory lane. We had to stop at the BYU Bookstore and take advantage of Steve's discount. While there, we ran into a friend from med school (who lives in CO) and also my niece, Coryn! I thought she had gone home for the summer so it was a real treat to visit with her for a few minutes!
We toured Steve's office in the new humanities building. Beautiful!
Of course we had to ride the carousel!Natalie and Kendon. One day we drove the 3 hours from SLC to Burley, Idaho to visit my parents' graves. My parents spent most of their married lives in Boise, but when my dad died, we felt like he should be buried in Burley, where he grew up. My parents are in the same cemetary as my grandparents, and a lot of other Nielson relatives (Kiersten remarked at how many Nielsons there were)!It's been 11 years since my dad died and this July it will be 3 since my mom died. I think that when someone close to you dies the hurt is almost unbearable. Even after you feel like you've grieved, thinking about them is painful. You push the pain away daily, trying to forget how much you miss them, trying not to think about what you wish you could share with them. Although we were crying, Natalie and I were able to share a sweet moment remembering our parents and laying flowers at their resting place.Afterwards, we laid flowers at other relatives' graves and drove to nearby Oakley. My great great grandparents (the Haights) helped settle Oakley, Idaho at the direction of the prophet. There's a small museum there that has a beautiful picture of their family and we visited their graves as well as my great grandparents'. Some large photos of my great grandparents hang in my house so it brought a little meaning to them as we told family stories to the girls in Oakley.
We took a detour to Shoshone Falls, near Twin Falls. For some reason I have never seen these falls on a map, but if you're from the area, you know they are there. Supposedly they are taller than Niagra but not as wide. Some years I have been there barely a drizzle has fallen from the rock, but this year with all the rain it was spectacular. When I was about Kiersten's age my dad took me to there after he had finished some business in Burley. I always remembered how amazing it was. It definately did not disapppoint us!
The girls in front of the falls. Analise wouldn't turn around because she was so taken with all the water.Natalie and Kendon. Another day we went to the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point--one of our favorite places! Analise got caught up with the dinosaur puzzles. A lesson in erosion--or just digging for dinos!Uncovering bones. BYU was a trip down memory lane. We had to stop at the BYU Bookstore and take advantage of Steve's discount. While there, we ran into a friend from med school (who lives in CO) and also my niece, Coryn! I thought she had gone home for the summer so it was a real treat to visit with her for a few minutes!We toured Steve's office in the new humanities building. Beautiful!
The kids played in the fountain for a few minutes. Analise got a little into it--if you can't tell, she's sopping wet.
BYU Creamery for dinner. Yum!
Everyone looked happier after ice cream arrived.
The day before we drove home my Aunt Ronda and her daughter Jennifer Jo dropped by. I brought back such great memories to see them. Jennifer Jo and I used to hang out when we'd go to Utah and I haven't seen her in a very long time.
We also had a nice dinner with my Uncle Don and his wife Joan, my great-aunt Lucile and her son Norman. The next day we started the long trek back to KS. How did the pioneers ever do it by wagon??We had a great time with Natalie and family! Thanks for all your hospitality! We just wished it hadn't gone by so quickly. The only thing missing was Chris!
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