Lagoon...Through the Years

As we were headed to Lagoon for Utility's Lagoon Day, we were reminiscing about all our past Lagoon Days.  We've gone every year (except 2018...we were in DC) since 2009.  Alfredo was saying how fun it would be to post some of the photos side by side.  So here we go.

2010 (we didn't bring Gabby.  A friend watched her for us--3 photos):

2011 (two photos):

 2012 (two photos):

2014 (three photos...I love the photo of Gabby giving two thumbs up!):

2016 (one photo):

2017 (two photos):

And this year, we headed to Lagoon again.  They are all just a tad bigger than those first couple of years.  :)   This year, all 3 girls brought friends.  My dear friend Sara was nice enough to let us borrow her 12 passenger van so we didn't have to drive two cars.  I spent the day with Gabby and Alyssa and Alfredo spent the day with the teenagers.

Time in the Temple

One of the best parts of the summer is having more time to visit the temple.  Ella is going almost every Tuesday with Max and Annie.  They go right at the time that Michelle has violin lessons and Gabby is at conditioning so I don't go and neither does Michelle.  But I've been trying to get the girls to the temple most weeks.  And myself as well.  Right after summer started, Sara and I took our kids to the Bountiful Temple.  Sadie, Sara and I did initiatories while Gracie, Austin and Michelle did baptisms.  It was wonderful.  Then we went to get ice cream after wards.

While I think this photo was actually taken several months ago, Annette and I have been going to the temple fairly often together.  She is going two or three times a week in the early morning.  Most Saturdays I go with her if she is in town.  

On May 31, Ella and I went with Annette, Dante and two of Dante's cousins to the Payson Temple.  I love the Payson Temple (and every temple) so much.  The temple is so beautiful and I fell in love with these orange flowers that get lighter near the edge and darker in the center.  I am amazed that our kind, loving Heavenly Father created such beauty and diversity for us to enjoy! 

On June 22, we took Michelle, Ella and Dante to the Jordan River Temple.  We left at 6 AM so the sun was still rising when we arrived.  It was so pretty.  And it was raining just a little bit, so behind the temple there was a light but pretty rainbow. Also,  I saw a teacher I worked with years ago. Those joyful earthly reunions give me a hint of the joy that awaits us when we depart this life.

 That time, the kids ended up having to wait for us for nearly an hour so we took them to breakfast at Einstein's after the temple.

More temple trips are planned throughout the summer, including several with Sara.  I love that the temple has become such a priority for my girls and for me.  It has blessed my life to spend more time in the temple, just as President Nelson promised it would.