Two Temples in One Day

Today we had the opportunity to take our kids to the Brigham City Temple Open House.  I was reminded of how blessed we are not only to have temples here on earth, but to have so many near us. Just in our traveling today, we passed by and/or saw 8 temples! (Logan, Brigham City, Ogden, Bountiful, Salt Lake, Oquirrh Mountain, Jordan River and Draper.)  How incredible is that!

The Brigham City temple is beautiful (of course)!  On the outside, the windows remind me of the Salt Lake temple, so I was a little surprised to see how small it is.  If you ask the kids what they liked best about the temple they will most likely say the bus ride (taking us from parking to the temple) and the cookies at the end.  In fact, tonight as we were putting the kids to bed we were singing "I Love to See the Temple" and Ian started saying, "Cookie!  Cookie!  Cookie!"  So glad the refreshments made such an impression on him!  The thing he didn't like was the little white booties you put over your shoes.  He was totally freaking about them being on..  Yet, he wanted to walk. Luckily, once we actually got inside the temple, the calmed down considerably.    I give all the credit for this to the special spirit in the temple. 

Kirstie has always LOVED the temple.  She is always asking us to drive by the temple.  But as I was showing pictures of the temple to her a few days earlier, she decided she does NOT want to get married there-- or do baptisms there.  It's just too scary.  During the tour, she made certain that we didn't forget this.  While walking up a flight of stairs in the temple Kirstie asked me, "Are we going to see Jesus here?"  I thought that was so sweet.  She understands that the temple is Jesus's and Heavenly Father's house, so it makes sense that she would expect to see them there.

("Playing" in water fountains- a favorite for them both.)

There is an old train depot/museum near the temple.  Ian is in love with trains lately so we decided to stop so they could climb on it.

Afterwards we headed to Logan.  I went to school at Utah State and hold a special place for Logan in my heart.  I just couldn't be this close to Logan without making a stop there. 

We took the kids to the Logan temple and walked around the grounds there.  We saw a couple taking their wedding pictures there.  I showed Kirstie how beautiful and happy she was, seeing if she would change her mind about wanting to get married in the temple-- no luck.  Still too scary.

Ian wanted his picture taken everywhere!

I have pictures of me in front of the Logan temple back in 1999.  I love that 13 years later I have pictures there with my husband and kids!

Once again, the kids found a water fountain at the temple.

I made Brent stop at USU's campus and walk around with me.  It's been 10 years since I've been in college, but walking around brought back so many memories!  I have lots of memories with so many different friends up there-- memories that have become especially more precious with the passing of my friend and roommate Jen a few years ago.  Being up there reminds me of how much I miss her.

I could've walked around campus all day, but we had tired kids and Brent just wasn't into it as much as me, of course.  Maybe I'll have to go back up someday with my friends Kim and Wendy to get a slice of  carmel nut bread at the Hub, just like the old days. :)  

We couldn't leave campus without stopping at the A.  I'm trying to teach my kids at a young age to cheer for Utah State!  Forget BYU.  Forget U of U.  Let's go Aggies!!

Kirstie is our little photographer- she loves to take pictures!  Here's one she took of Ian, Brent and I at the A.

It was a great day today-- very busy, but great.  The only thing that could have made it better would've been Aggie ice cream.  I was SO disappointed to see the huge crowd there.  The line was out the door (and beyond) with freshman finishing their orientation.  Oh well.  I guess that means I just have an excuse to go back up some day!