Being Grandma

 

It is good to be loved. 

But there is something incredible about being loved by a little person. 

Andi not only loves me but adores me and every minute that I get to spend with her and Atticus are one of the most favorite things about my story. 

I got to babysit for a little while so their mom could go to the temple and their dad could go to work. 

Time well spent! 

 

Last Day

 

Our last day consisted of the most amazing breakfast at the Bear Paw Cafe in St. George, a drive by the St George temple, visiting an antique shop, hiking around Pioneer park and then driving back to Vegas.

 

It was a really great trip and I am so glad we got to get out for a few minutes!

Nevada Day Three and On to Utah

 

First order of business was going to the Vegas temple.

I hadn't been since I was a teenager, so it was fun to be back.

We had a really cool experience where Kyle recognized a guy that had just gotten married and was taking wedding pictures on grounds.

It was someone he knew from the MTC.

We just had this moment of recognizing God's hand and the cool tender mercies that he pours out on us.

It was a highlight.

Then we decided to head to Utah, but changed plans and explored.

We went to Hoover Dam and then the other direction to Valley of Fire.

We were in the car for a really long time but it was totally worth it!

Then we closed out the day with Cafe Rio and checked in to our cabin in Hurricane, Utah.

I didn't get any pictures of the cabin but it was so cute and we were able to see the stars really well out there.

 

Nevada Day Two

 

Get ready for a picture dump from today.

I fell in LOVE with the red rocks that we hiked through.

My friend told me about Red Rock Canyon and one hike in particular that we just needed to do.

I am so glad she did. 

It was only a 2.2 mile hike but it was AMAZING!

The red rocks and the sun and the perfect weather.

I literally was in heaven.

I feel like I could do that hike every day and never get tired of it. 

We stopped so many times along the way and took it all in, so it took us much longer than it would have normally took.

But I have NO regrets!

 

After that we ate at In and Out and Kyle got one of their paper hats.

Silly Boy!

Then we went and saw O at the Bellagio and then watched the fountains outside.

It was a good day!

Nevada Day One

 

When February hits in Alaska, I have this itch to get out and get some sun.

So we did. 

We took Kenna, Kyle and Corban with us and ventured into unknown territory for us- Las Vegas and Southern Utah.

The weather was SO perfect!

In the 60's and all the sun you could ever ask for.

Right after we got off the plane we headed to the outskirts of town to check out the Seven Magic Mountains.

It was kind of fun to see colored rocks out in the middle of no where.

After that we went and did a little shopping and got our first gelato of the trip.

It was okay.

Then we went to our hotel, The Bellagio and checked in.

I think we were all surprised that smoking was allowed inside.

We joked about how we got lung cancer just trying to get to our rooms. 

But they had this beautiful conservatory that we checked out after a nap and then we all went to bed early. 

 

Sunday

 

My calling in the stake Young Women's presidency has kept me away from my own ward quite a bit lately. 

Today I got to visit two different wards. 

Makenna and Kyle were in the first ward.

I sat by them on the front row, because they are front row people. 

Then the second ward, Sam and the boys walked in. 

They came and sat by me as well.

She is on her way back to the covenant path. 

I am trying not to be overly excited, but secretly inside, I am bursting with joy. 

It is beautiful to see how God is working in her life. 

She wanted a picture together on our bench.

I obliged. 

Of course, I obliged.