Lovely Bridge

Ally's version of London Bridge: 

Lovely Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down.
Lovely Bridge is falling down, my friend Maddie.

Tonight she heard me tell Ernest that I don't care for crackers (he loves Ritz crackers with a bit of cream cheese).  That's what they were all having for a snack.  Ally brought one over to me, "Try it Mama!  It's good!"  I took a little nibble and she said, "See?  Good!" with the cutest little nod.  I could totally see me doing that to her when trying to get her to try something new. 

According to Uncle Rob, she is just like I was when I was that age.  That's a bit scary.  Though I guess she doesn't scream as loud or throw quite as big fits as I used to.  Great. 

Jacob has gotten this thing where he throws a tantrum, stomping his little feet and shaking his head.  Apparently I didn't do that when I was little.  Hmmm...I wonder where he might get that from.  Ernest denies any knowledge of such behavior....  I have my suspicions. 

Flashback Friday

San Diego.  A drive after work one day while at the San Diego office. 

Salt Lake.  Service. 

Denver.  Open House.  Service.  Ernest & My Sealing.

Nauvoo.  Open House.  Service.

Mount Timpanogos.  A Sunday drive.

Jordan River.  Sealed to my parents.

Kansas City.  Open House. 

St Louis.  Open House.  Dedication.  My own endowment.  Lori & Lucas's Sealing.  Service.

St George.  Hannah & Ryan's Wedding.

Temples I have been to but am missing pictures:  Winter Quarters, Manti, Bountiful, Provo, Chicago, and Idaho Falls.  Haven't been inside all of them, but I have visited their grounds. 

Heart Lollipops & Flower Pancakes

Oh, the Mail's a Comin'

Ally got her first bit of mail on Thursday.  How???  At least it is appropriate.  A kid's animal magazine.  She was quite excited.

Kansas City Missouri Temple

Last week Ernest and I got to work as ushers at the Kansas City Temple Open House.  It started out that Ernest was asked to be an Usher and I was to help with Refreshments.  We were both pretty excited about getting to serve.  We got there that night and they were very understaffed, so I volunteered to become an usher too.  I got to stand in the Baptistry of the Temple all evening and point folks in the right direction and help keep them on schedule for the tours.  It was wonderful.  We were really busy, but there were several times when I was completely alone in the baptistry. The spirit that is there is amazing, even though it hasn't been dedicated yet. 

Note for the future:  you are wearing booties over your shoes, so could go for flats instead of (low) heels....standing for 4 hours on marble floor will get you after a while. 

I was coming down with a cold, and apparently it was showing.  Near the end of the night a couple of the ushers near my kept coming over and asking if I was doing ok or if I needed to leave.  I made it through the entire night, though I was pretty wiped out the next day.

Thursday we got to actually go through the Open House.  We had reservations with the kids, Rob & Jane, Lucy, Sophie, Hannah & Ryan, Maddie, and JoAnn & Martha.

It was getting dark out and threatening rain, so we didn't get many pictures.

Yeah, we kind of tried.  No luck.  Next time.
I am so excited to get to have Temple dates with Ernest, and to just go with other family and friends so much more easily.  We are so blessed!