Ogden Temple Open House Excursion!

What a memorable weekend, and an outcome I had not anticipated!

A couple of weeks before Dallin returned from his mission, Brandon got 20 tickets for the Ogden Temple Open House and all of the family, except the Texas clan, made plans to get together the weekend of September 6th.

We had so many fun family gatherings (some even with the Texas clan here!!) from the time Dallin got home.  It was hard to say good-bye to everyone, but there was still more "excitement" to come with the Kirchhausen clan's Lake Powell "shipwrecked" experience and blessings of protection, then Cayman's baby blessing the following weekend and most of the family coming back down for that.  And then the following week was to be the Ogden Temple trip.

Rod and I were doing good to keep everything straight and be where we were supposed to be when we were supposed to be there!!  I was supposed to pick up Rod at school RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL WAS OUT, to avoid the onslaught of students leaving the parking lot.  The only problem was that I had spent too much time in town running errands, and I only had about an hour to get myself packed, a lunch/dinner packed for our drive and to be down at the school on time.

As I was packing my make-up I had a strong impression come to me:  "Text Anna and invite her and Bridger to come to the Ogden Temple Open House."  My first reaction was, "Uhhh, I don't THINK so...she would never want to come with us..."  But the impression came again, a bit stronger.  So, inwardly I said, "Fine!  I will."  But I got carried away in my rush of packing and I totally forgot about the impression.

With about 10 minutes left, I was quickly throwing some peanut butter sandwiches together.  I only had the peanut butter on when I got another impression:  "TEXT ANNA, NOW!"  I sort of threw my hands in the air and said, "Fine!!"  And I texted Anna, not sure at all that it would be received well.  But at least I "listened..."  I was very surprised to receive a quick text back from Anna saying she would check with Bridger when she got home from school and would let me know.  And "thanks for thinking of us."  I was amazed!!

Long story short, Anna and Bridger went with our mostly-whole family to the Open House and had a wonderful experience there.  Afterwards, we went back to Brandon's and Tannya's for sandwiches, then we all went to Hogel Zoo in Salt Lake City.  I got to drive with Anna and Bridger and Kristy, which gave Anna and I a good chance to talk.  I think it was very therapeutic for both of us.  And we all really enjoyed the zoo together, too!!

I am SO grateful that I was "brave enough" to listen to the promptings I received even though I was ready to discount them!  And I am VERY glad to have had this special weekend with Anna and Bridger and the rest of our family!!

There was lots of COUSIN time and mostly good sharing!!  Bath time and grandpa and grandma time are always sweet perks!!

    

  

Going to Nikki's soccer game was a definite highlight on Saturday morning!!  How can something SO cute be so determined?!?!  *_*
      
 

       

   

Rushed home to change, and then it was off to the Ogden Temple Open House

 

 

 

After lunch, we headed to the ZOO!!!   I wonder why I enjoy the Zoo SO much more now as a grandma than I ever did as a mom!?!?!

Grandma got in BIG trouble from Dezmond when I quckly put him on the lion after our Merry-Go-Round ride for a picture...he did NOT like it at all and was SOOOO mad at his grandma!!  But then his daddy rescued him and all was well!  Whew!!  *_*  (Poor lion!)

It's a good thing kisses fix all kinds of problems. . .

On Sunday we went to visit my mom and dad in Clinton.  Had a nice time getting my mom cleaned up with a hair and makeup job.  Made an audio recording at the same time of some of the stuff my mom and I were able to talk about.  She did some singing, too!!

Then we headed to Primary Children's Hospital to visit Danielle Whittaker, her mom (Julie Williams), Seth, Lindsey, and 2-month-old baby Reed who was hospitalized for a cancerous growth and would be undergoing surgery (which went extremely well on the following Tuesday!)

Lindsey and Set enjoyed the Halloween socks they got after the Sacrament Meeting held at the hospital.  Rod and I were so impressed at everything provided for those needing/wanting to attend their meetings but were rather tied to the hospital.

After the hospital, we headed over to Anna's in Riverton for another visit.  Then we headed down to Provo, saw Dallin and Erika for a minute, then we were off on the last leg of our journey.  Loved the cloudy skies, beautiful sunset, and each other's company!!  A great weekend!!

 

Which Languages Are YOU Learning?

Hi Kids,
What a fun-filled, emotional, and memorable couple of weeks we've had since Dallin came home on Brandon's 30th birthday (August 15th)!!  If I wait for things to calm down before I start writing on the family blog again, I might not ever write!  And I really wanted to share this with each of you, so here goes...

When Dad and I went with Elder Hunt to the Stake Center to be released as a full-time missionary, I was anxious to hear him tell President Harris of some of his experiences.  Dad and I weren't disappointed.  Then, President Harris started to talk to Dallin about the languages he learned on his mission.  Since President Harris is Canadian, he brought up the "Newfie" language.  And then he asked about the 2nd language Dallin learned.  In my mind I was thinking, "No, he didn't have to learn French, even though it's a bi-lingual mission..." but Elder Hunt knew exactly what President Harris was referring to.  He said, "Yes, I learned the language of the Spirit...how to recognize it...to understand it...to heed it..."  And that really had an impact on my heart.

Isn't that what we ALL are supposed to be learning here on Earth?  How to recognize the Spirit?  How to listen closely for the promptings of the Holy Ghost?  How to understand the Still Small Voice that can guide our lives if we will listen?  What language are YOU working on learning?

As I watch you kids teach your young children how to enunciate their words as they start learning to talk, I wonder if we are as mindful to teach the "language of the spirit" through our words and our actions.   It was a great reminder to me to always be fluent in the language of the Spirit!!

Love,
Mom

MOM'S and the FBI!!

A couple of weeks ago I put something on the window that said:

MOM'S DO BETTER RESEARCH THAN THE FBI

Well, shortly after that I got an email from Elder Hunt saying that he got "locked out" of his Facebook account because he tried to log-in (with his mission president's permission!) from out of the country.  I guess FB wanted to make sure the account wasn't being hijacked, so they required him to enter the verification code they sent to his cell phone.  Only problem was he hasn't had that cell phone number for the past two years!!  Sooooo, he asked me to see what I could do...

I called the old cell number...no answer.
I texted the old cell number...no answer.
I called again, and texted again...same response...nothing.

I knew Elder Hunt needed access for his missionary work and that time was of the essence, so I went online and did a reverse number search.  It showed the number was located in St. George, but I'd have to PAY to get the information.  Big decision.  It cost me ninety-five CENTS!!  Best almost-dollar I've ever spent.

It was registered to a Hispanic man...and I got his address.  I called Jacqui, and asked for her assistance.  She called the number and left a message in Spanish, and also texted in Spanish...no answer!  So, we drove over to the address.  Sure enough, the man who answered the door spoke very little English, so Jacqui talked and talked, explaining the situation.  The man checked his phone and there was a verification code on it from back in APRIL...after several minutes he realized that his phone number wasn't the one we were trying to track down.  He talked with his wife, and then he remembered an old cell phone...that his nephew was using.  He called his nephew and VOILE!!!  He had the received the verification code.  The man wrote it down for me, I sent it via email to Elder Hunt, and after just a few short minutes, I received an email back saying, "I'm in!!"

Jacqui and I laughed as we got in the car to drive home, so happy with our sleuthing skills.  Jacqui said, "The FBI should hire us!!  We would look really good in black trench coats!!"  Not sure I really want that job, but I was so happy that we could get things straightened out for Elder Hunt!!  HOORAY!!

FAMILY VACATION - Palisade Lake 2014

Family vacations are one of the most important "traditions" our family has had over the past 35 years.  Rod took Denzel camping for Father's and Son's outing when he was 1.5 years old...then we took Denzel and Jaimi camping at Zion National Park when Denz was 2 and Jaimi was a baby.  We've been doing camping trips and other things for family vacation ever since.  And oh, the memories we have!!!

Here are some of the most recent from our 2014 Palisade Lake Camping trip:
(There were 350 GOOD pictures from this trip....so I cut down by using collages...)

Just getting unloaded...and having a snack with Dezmond...

Perfect weather, great lake, and wonderful company!

Grass camping...the only way to go!!

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Amelia doesn't look due in 4 weeks!!!  And that Dezmond boy has learned to say "Cheese!"

Smashed tailbone (Mom's) doesn't make for fun jumping shots. . . 

...so Mom became the photographer!!!   (And WHAT is Amelia doing...oh yeah, a handstand when she's 8 months pg!)

Oakley loved all the snacks she got (stole) from the kids!!

Our traditional "girls' walk around the lake" resulted in a few photo shoots!

Yes, we even went golfing to humor Hans...but he was the one laughing hardest at our great inabilities!!!

Popping fires burn holes into clothes, but presents are sure fun to open!!

Dezmond is the "pancake King",  and he LOVED being Grandma's helper!!!

TWO SIDES TO EVERY FAMILY???  At least two sides!!  *_*

One day was spent at Seven Peaks in Provo. . . 

LOTS of fun there!!

But it was nice to go back to our quiet camping sites!

Canoeing in the late afternoon/evening was incredibly relaxing and beautiful!!

These girls ALL loved camping and playing together...Brandon enjoyed the food...and playing!!

Many of the kids had to pack up and leave early in the morning...but Nat, Rj, Dad and I stayed, swam in the lake, and enjoyed the beauty just a bit longer!!

Before we headed back to Santa Clara, Rod and I went on a geocache hunt...which led us to one above the Manti Temple.  It was a great little hike up a dirt road, and I was able to leave the travel bug that had been placed in the Denzel Hunt geocache in Snow Canyon State Park!  We had a 3 hour drive home, and Jaida was SOOOO happy to see us!!

Thanks for the incredible memories, meals, and many other things!!!
Don't forget to put this on your calendar for next year!!  we love you all!!!

Dad and Mom

Valentines Day 2014

Maybe someday I'll have time to write about our wonderful traditional Hunt Family Valentine's Dinner...

and Valentine's Day and the fun time and memories...but until then...pictures will have to do!