UEA Weekend FUN!!!

We always look forward to UEA weekend. This is the first long break since school started. I was so ready for the kids to be home for a 4 day weekend along with no homework and no waking up early.

OCT. 15 - MOVIE

We ended up going during the day to see "Aliens in the Attic." The kids really liked it. Bradley was pretty good to let me see most of it. I thought it was pretty cheesy, but there were no complaints from the kids at all.

CAMPFIRE

That evening we headed up into American Fork Canyon to enjoy dinner around a campfire. We got there around 6 p.m. just as the sun was starting to set. The cold set in and it felt awesome to be sitting around the fire together. We enjoyed roasting hot dogs, marshmallows and just spending time together. We had received quite a bit of rain the previous day, so most of the small sticks and twigs were pretty wet. It took us a while to finally get the fire started. All of the kids loved going around to gather sticks and helped in every way possible. We had luckily brought in our own logs which saved us. Tanner, Parker & Carter enjoying the river - the fall colors were just beautiful. Bradley roasting his hot dog - he didn't want help with most anything. His hot dog did get a little burned, but he didn't seem to care at all. Camille enjoying her dinner. The kids eating. Byron & the kids roasting marshmallows. After eating we had fun singing songs around the campfire. Luckily nobody was around us so the kids could sing to their heart's content. Above the children are singing "Tooty Ta."

Oct. 16 - TEMPLE SQUARE

Friday morning we headed up to Temple Square to enjoy the morning and also to see Melissa around lunchtime. We started out going to the Museum of Church History and Art. We stayed in there about one hour and didn't get to see everything. The first area we went to was where the death masks of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith were. What an awesome experience to see what they looked like! The kids all had so many questions to ask.

Next we headed over to a replica of a boat the early converts would have come across the ocean in. They have bunks that were the same size as the actual beds these families lived in. One family was assigned one bed - 5 of my children enjoyed laying down sideways in one of them and said that they would be able to sleep that way - pretty tight and luckily there feet are hanging out.

Next we headed to the children's exhibit called "I am a Child of God." The kids enjoyed playing with beanbags, dressing up, and coloring. Bradley didn't want to leave - he loved having free reign of the entire area and not having to be in his stroller. The kids minus Bradley in front of the Salt Lake Temple. I love this picture. We were waiting by the reflection pool for Melissa when the boys sat down together. (Parker, Bradley & Carter) Once we met up with Melissa, we went up to her office so she could get some guest passes for us to eat lunch in the cafeteria. While in there we were surprised and lucky enough to see Sister Beck - the General Relief Society President. She usually doesn't come into work on Fridays, but decided to this particular day. Sister Beck is such an amazing woman! I felt honored and so fortunate to meet her in person. She took the time to talk with each of the children asking them what their name was and how old they were. Parker was so cute talking to her - he told her that him and Carter are identical. Sister Beck said, "What if I can tell you apart?" She remembered each child's name a few minutes later. She also asked if they had ever seen the candy closet? She took them into another room and let them each pick 2 pieces of top of the line chocolate. They all were loving this! Sister Beck made me laugh as she took two pieces and put them into her shirt pockets saying, "I am saving these for the way home." I couldn't let this moment pass without asking to take a picture with her. She graciously obliged and asked if we could take it in front of the Joseph Smith picture. What an amazing experience I will always remember. She had this glow about her that radiated with goodness. How lucky Melissa is to work with such an elect lady!

Upon heading over to the cafeteria, we had two other people stop us to ask Melissa who we were. I'm not sure I would ever get anything accomplished if I worked in this kind of environment. Everybody was so friendly and wanted to know everything about each child.

The cafeteria experience was fun - there were different areas for all of the different types of food. Luckily most of the kids got the same type - hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled cheese. Camille chose a soup and roll. Their salad was delicious. The boys weren't cooperating with taking a picture, so this is what we get instead - silly kids!

Poor Melissa had Bradley looking at her salad more than his own food - she was so nice to share her peas with him.

We had such a great time visiting with Melissa - so fun for the kids to see their Aunt! Bradley can't get enough of her and was sad when we finally had to leave.

A kind lady took our picture together in front of the temple - the colors and flowers were so pretty!

Camille & I

The weather was in the 70's while there - so gorgeous and nice to be outside. We loved every minute among such a beautiful backdrop of the Temple!

Thanks Melissa for letting us come and visit you.

FISHING
After returning home, we quickly packed up and headed to Silver Lake with Byron. We took the truck so we could go up the 2 mile dirt road. The kids at first loved being able to all pile in the back, but soon found themselves not liking the closeness so much. They were all great sports, though. (above Carter, Parker, Johnathan & Tanner)

We invited Jeff, Emily & Family to join us. Jeff came with all of the kids - unfortunately Emily wasn't feeling well. After we finally got to the lake, the kids all loved being together and taking their turns fishing.
This huge rock was next to the restrooms - of course the kids couldn't keep off of it.

Parker & Carter

Johnathan & Cameron

Johnathan

Bradley

Cadan & Bradley enjoyed exploring. They found this cool red bug that they loved watching.

Byron with Carter & Camille

Tanner & Cooper fishing

Parker & Ashlyn

Cooper

Camille helping Alyssa fish

Camille caught the only fish - it was a good size trout. We ended up putting it back in the water before leaving.

We enjoyed having a picnic while up there. Once the sun went down, it started getting cold quickly. We had a great time, but decided to head out after being there about 1 1/2 hours since we didn't want to head down the dirt road in the dark. We will have to go again when we have more light hours to fish.

The rest of the UEA weekend was spent relaxing, watching the BYU football game, watching movies, family walks and enjoying the abnormally hot temperatures. I didn't want the weekend to end, but unfortunately had to send the kids back to school on Monday. Now if we can last until Thanksgiving Break :).