The Temple

Yesterday, November 13th 2012 Benjamin received his own Endowment

in preparation for serving a full time mission

for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

He chose the Oquirrh Mountain Temple

because of it's resemblance to the London Temple.

We attended the 8:00 pm. session 

which is the last session held.

It was very small.

Mostly just our family and about 5 others.

It was a wonderful night.

I can't believe I am attending the Temple with one of my own children.

It is a wonderful experience,

One I will cherish forever.

The proud parents and their boy

 Ben and Kenny, who is like an uncle to him.

My parents, my brother Marty and his wife Kisty, my Sister Melanie and Kenny were all there.

But due to the lateness of the session, and Benjamin wanting to take his time

 they left before we were able to get pictures.

We are so grateful to family and the support they showed Ben.

Family is what its all about.

Congratulations Benjamin!!

Today Benjamin also had his missionary portrait taken
by Amy Bennion Photography.
They turned out amazing!
She fit us in on short notice and did a great job.
Thanks Amy!!

Doesn't he look handsome...
Of course I am not biased in any way.

Sunday we finally get a new Stake President

so the hope is that his call will be submitted before Thanksgiving.

P.S. I have been playing catch-up, so if your interested in our past few months you'll have to scroll through about 10 posts.  But I'm current now and the hope is to stay current...;)

Inspirations

Brooklyn entered our School's Inspirations program.

This is the Charter School version of Reflections.

The theme:  Beautiful is...

She entered in two types.

Photography:  This can be any picture taken that is not digitally enhanced in any way.

Digital Art:  Photography that is changed in some way digitally.

She received an Award of Excellence for grade level 6-8.

This will make her entry move on to Region Competition.

She was so happy.

Her entry was taken on our Conference Weekend walk through the mountains.

She took it and enhanced it.

Her title...

Beautiful is the path that lights the way.

She was so excited.

Good Job Brooklyn!!

Love you.

Boo from Brooklyn to You

As usual Brooklyn started looking at ideas for a Halloween costume about two months before Halloween.  And as usual, I told her I would have no discussion about Halloween until a few weeks before, being the Hater that I am.  But, being in Middle School now and wanting a minimalist type costume Brooklyn started scouring Pinterest and found this face painting.  I was worried about her being able to do it herself.  I couldn't help because I can't do fine stuff like that with my shaking.

But...Here she is and it looks great.

My favorite kind of costume.  Low maintenance.

A little face make-up, an old T-shirt of Ben's cut up.

This is what you get...

She was happy with the way it turned out.

Then when it came to carving pumpkins, she wanted to avoid the original Jack O Lantern, so back to Pinterest she went.  And found a way to do something else.  You just take cookie cutters and pound them into the pumpkin in whatever design you want.  Hers was a design of stars.  Really cute idea and really easy.

She spent the night at home handing out Halloween candy to the trick or treaters.

It was a fun night.

The Big Announcement and Fall Leaves

Conference Weekend brought a big announcement from the Church.

The age for young men to be eligible to serve full time missions

was reduced from 19 to 18.

For sisters from 21 to 19.

WOW!!!

For Benjamin this didn't change his plans.

You can turn your papers in 120 days before your birthday.

Benjamin was already at this mark for his 19th birthday.

But for Bailee...

The options were endless.

She has been contemplating serving a mission for about 6 months now.

She has also been considering auditioning to serve a performance mission in 

Navoo.

Another choice open to her is to audition to return to the Playmill 

in Montana and participate in their 50th anniversary.

So many many choices.

We have told her we will financially and emotionally support her in whichever decision she makes.

I know she will let the spirit guide her.

She already has. But that's not my story to tell.

Conference Weekend also brought a drive to the mountains to see the fall leaves.

What a fun time with the family.

I find myself really cherishing all the small family moments even more

knowing that soon, for a time we will be separated.

Here are a few pictures to capture the afternoon.

My joy, my kids

 A gentlemen even to his sister...

 "Daddy...stop teasing me"