House of The Lord

We had the chance to attend the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house last Friday.  What a neat experience.  We decided to take both girls and enjoy the experience as a family.  The Spirit was so strong through out the temple.  It's beautiful inside and out.  Olivia LOVED being able to finally go INSIDE a temple.  The lines were long, but worth it.  As an added surprise, when we got done with the tour and went into the refreshment tent, we saw Elder L. Tom Perry there.  We really enjoyed ourselves.

Long lines are hard for little kids.  Good thing they have 

entertainment along the way... rocks and bushes to explore.

This little jewel did fantastic.  

Made it through the WHOLE 2 1/2 hour tour and only cried once.

Of course, that one time would be in the sealing room... the only time I really really

really needed her to be quiet while the couple there was talking to us.

Lamp posts make good entertainers also... 

especially when one can run around them in circles. 

It was nice and cool by the fountains.  

Olivia liked putting her hands in the water.

Aren't they cute?  Olivia is a big daddy's girl!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this baby! and those cheeks...  !!!

Just chilling...

We all had a great experience and I'm sure it's one that won't be forgotten.  It has really made an impact on Olivia.  She's asked me a couple times, "Mom, can we go to Heavenly Father's house again?"  My answer?... "One day you will, Olivia... one day."

Happy Birthday America!!!

Happy 4th of July!  

I love this holiday.  I love celebrating this amazing country that we live in.  I'm grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with the opportunity to live in the United States of America.  May we always remember Him in this country and never lose sight of His hand in our many blessings and freedoms.  I'm grateful to those past and present who have done so much to make sure my freedoms are secure and mine.  May God bless them and their families.

May your day be filled with festivities, food, family, fireworks, fun and freedom!

Douglas Reunion 2009

Last weekend we had the opportunity to go to my family reunion.  We went to my uncle's 

property up in Idaho by Bear Lake and we had a BLAST!  Here's a few pictures of our weekend.

We took a little drive on Saturday morning.  This is how beautiful the country is up there.. 

 I want to go back and build a cabin up this road.  Wouldn't this be an amazing driveway?

Everything is sooo green and wet up there.  

We found this little waterfall on our drive.

On Saturday afternoon, we all headed down to Bear Lake.  

Here' s our little family photo.

My view from the back of the jeep while I was feeding Tagen.  Perfect, isn't it?

Olivia has been asking to go the beach for months.  

She's in heaven playing in the sand and water.

Tagen's first experience with a lake, swimming suit and sand.  

Look at those legs!  So cute and chubby!

Brad keeping Tagen asleep while I made breakfast.  

She did AMAZING while camping.  What a little trooper.

Papa and Olivia coloring together.  

She completely adores him... all the grandkids do.

Olivia enjoying her watermelon.  

I think this is the quintessential picture of summertime fun!

We really enjoyed the weekend and love spending time with family... But, after 3 days of sleeping in a tent, using an outhouse, smelling like a campfire, not having running water, and showering in bug spray, it was REALLY nice to come home and shower.

Life...

I find it interesting to hear my words as a parent repeated in Olivia's play time.  Sometimes it's embarrassing, enlightening and often funny.  As she's playing with her dolls or toys I hear things such as...  "Time to clean up, everyone clean up," or "You need to obey.  Are you obeying?  When we obey, Jesus is happy."  Or, "Big girls go potty on toilet.  Do you need to go potty?"  Another favorite... "Come eat dinner!  It's getting cold."  There is often times I hear her discipline her toys by putting them in time out, or if they've REALLY misbehaved, they get a spank on the behind.  I've heard Olivia kiss all her toys goodbye before she "leaves to go shopping.  Be good! See you later!"  And there is always the question, "How's work Dad?"  She's quick to sooth a crying or fussing Tagen by repeating over and over, "I know Tagen.  It's okay.  I know.  We're almost there."  The same words I have muttered on a drive home when we're almost there and I have a hungry baby.  She's also held many Family Home Evenings with her stuffed animals and dolls.  It's fun to watch her tell stories from the scriptures.  We had another experience recently at a niece's baptism.  All the cousins were invited to the stage to sing, "I Am A Child Of God."  Olivia, being the youngest followed her cousins up and stood right under the microphone.  Honestly, I was a little nervous to see how she'd do.  But, after having that song sung to her for 3 years at bed time and at restless moments, the words have sunk in and she sang along... right into the microphone for ALL the congregation to hear.  It was really cute, and I was so happy to realize she knew ALL the words.  But, the ultimate humbling experience is when I hear Olivia pray.  It really makes you check yourself on your prayers when you hear your child repeat the prayers you say at night as your kneeling by their bedside.  I'm glad she's learning and gaining a testimony... however small or big it is.

Overall, life has been pretty normal around here lately.  Olivia is getting really really good at putting puzzles together.  She did all these puzzles by herself today.  I was surprised... especially when she did the puzzle of the United States all by herself.  Nice work!

Notice her outfit?  She got dressed all by 

herself and was pretty pleased with her attire.

Olivia's proud moment.  I was proud of her also!

Here is a new photo of Tagen.  This baby LOVES to suck on cloth and also on her thumb... She's found a convenient way to do both.  Nice, eh?  She's getting big.  She's sitting up almost on her own, eating and loving rice cereal, rolling over occasionally, and handing out smiles galore!  She's a complete JOY to have in our home.  The spirit she has brought with her is so sweet and content.  It is a blessing to have her and Olivia in our family.

Hogle Zoo

Brad's work summer party was this past Friday.  They held it at Hogle Zoo.  We had a great time, but I think Olivia had an even better time.  She couldn't sit still.  It was here and there, then over to another spot, then back again. They fed us dinner, let us stay after hours, had free rides and free face painting.  Olivia LOVED every minute and cried when it was time to leave. As for Tagen... well, this being her first time to the zoo, I think she was sufficiently satisfied, if not just a smidgen overwhelmed.

Tagen's first train ride.  She looks bored.

Olivia LOVES giraffes.  She wanted one painted on her face.  

Ask, and ye shall receive.

Tagen's general outlook throughout the evening.  I don't think she got the memo that you are supposed to look excited while at the zoo.  

She did however, get the memo you are supposed to be cute and she executed that perfectly.

Olivia went on the carousel twice.  Both times she wanted to 

ride the giraffe.  I told you she loves giraffes.

Us trying to get a picture with Mr. Giraffe.  I think the big guy was jealous

 of Olivia's much cuter giraffe face so he turned his back to us.

"No Olivia, the lion will not eat your head if you get a drink... I PROMISE."

By the end of the night both my girls looked like this...

and in my book, that's a successful night at the zoo!

We really had a great time.  Looks like it might be time to get a family season pass.

Tagen's 4 Month Checkup

We went to Tagen's four month check up yesterday.  She is growing like a weed and doing fantastic.  The doctor gave us the clearance to feed her anything we want... (within reason, which means 'still no peanut butter, Dad.)  Here's her stats...

Weight:  16 lbs 5 oz (95%)  Length:  15 3/4" (95%)  Head Circumference: 16 1/2 "

Yes, I grow big and solid babies.

likeness...

(As requested)

Here's Brad.. Not the best quality picture, but what do 

you expect from such a LONG LONG time ago.  

Me... A REALLY REALLY long time ago...

Do they look like me or Brad?

They each have their own look, but I'm still surprised at how much they look alike...

Olivia

Tagen