Temple Square Trip

This is one of my favorite things about living in Utah! We are so close to Salt Lake and Temple Square. I love that I can take my kids anytime I want! I am so excited to be here at Christmas time that is my favorite time to go and see the lights. I think my girls are going to love it this year. 

This trip was sparked because for family home evening one Monday night we talked about the Pioneers and their journey to Utah. We thought it would be fun to take the girls to Salt Lake so they could see the Temple and some of the other things on Temple Square that was possible because of the Pioneers. 

The girls enjoying the Christus statue

On the benches in the Tabernacle. 

In front of the Pioneer statue. They loved this one because we had been talking about them and about the wagons they pulled.

This of course was their favorite building and who could blame them!

I love that they recognize it and know how special it is. I am grateful I am sealed to them for time and all eternity and I hope one day to see them get married in one of these beautiful buildings!

I love living in Utah!

Swimming and 4th of July

What are two of the best things about summer? If you ask my girls it is swimming and if you ask me it is the 4th of July and going to the West Bountiful parade! I know lame, but I love it and look forward to it every year!

This year the girls spent a lot of time outside swimming in the pool that Grandma bought. It was perfect we could go out and they could swim whenever they wanted and let me tell you they did! There is no better way to spend a summer day!

4th of July was super fun! We started the morning off with breakfast at the church and then headed over for the WB parade!

Getting the bag ready for all the candy that will be thrown! One of my favorite things about this parade!

This year not only did we come away with a ton of candy but we also came away with lots of other things. Just look at the haul they got!

After the parade we headed up to my Aunt's house for swimming fun and a BBQ! sorry no pictures of this as I was swimming and didn't get any!

After swimming and the BBQ we went home to watch some good old fireworks! I love watching the small fireworks you can do at home. It is one of my favorite things to do. 

Here Lucy is getting her chair ready to watch the show!

We also did some sparklers. This was Lucy's first time and she was fearless!

Makayla on the other had was a little more cautious especially after what happened to her a few months ago in Iowa when her hand was burned. After a lot of coaxing we got her to try it and she was happy she did. She had a lot of fun.

I love the 4th of July and all the celebrations that go on! What a great way to celebrate our freedom!

Lorenc Family Reunion

This summer we got a chance to get together with Caleb's family for a reunion in Colorado. We were set to spend 3 days with his dad and one day with his mom. It was a lot of fun. We love seeing all of his siblings especially since they all live so far away. At the reunion for his mom we had a little talent show and Makayla showed off her dance that she had just preformed right before we left Iowa. 

Others also did talents. One of my favorites was Quinn and Jamie's family. The girls did a dance and the boys played some instruments to the music. It was so fun! 

 It was also so fun to get to see the cousins interact. There are so many on this side and they don't get to see each other often. Here Lucy is with the oldest cousin. Can you believe when I married into this family she was just 9 years old!

 This is Lucy with another cousin. This one is just a few months older than she is. So fun to see my kids have cousins to play with!

Group shot with Caleb's Mom

After the reunion with Caleb's mom we had another reunion of sorts this time with Caleb's Dad and Step-Mom. We did lots of fun things around his property and I didn't get pictures of it all! We also had a talent show for his dad and Makayla did her dance again. 

 Here she is sitting with her cousins watching all the talents. Like I said before she was in heaven with all of these cousins!

Two of Tuesdi's girls did a really cool dance. I was very impressed at their talent. 

Shae and Michelle's two girls sang a song and played the guitar. It was awesome. Let me tell you this family is a very musical family. Sometimes I think I am the odd ball out! They all have musical talents. Hopefully my girls will get some musical talents from their dad!

 After each act Lucy would say my turn. She wanted to be the star. We finally let her do a talent and she sang "I am taking home a baby bumble bee". It was so cute, but that wasn't enough for her. She wanted to do another talent and so Rachel took her up and did a little dance with her. It was so fun.

 Group shot with Caleb's Dad and Step-Mom

Family picture of us with Caleb's Dad and Step-Mom. Yes I am huge in this picture. I was 7 months pregnant. 

I know, I know I am a good wife to drive 22 miles across the country to move and then a week later drive 8 hours for the reunion! I must really love my husband! Haha!

Caleb and his siblings 

Again Caleb and his siblings.

It was a lot of fun to see everyone. We did a lot of fun things, had a lot of laughs, oh and passed around a sickness. What family reunion would be complete without some sort of sickness right? Well we had a few come down with the stomach flu and yes it hit our family. My poor husband and little Makayla got it and spent some time out of commission  Thank goodness it was the last day. Even with the sickness we still can't wait for the next one!