conference weekend

 We have loved every stage of our kids lives but as they get older and older we have this feeling of urgency to make lasting memories and take advantage of teaching moments with them.   We have been toying around with different activities to do with them on conference weekend for some time now.   We wanted to plan a few days that they would (hopefully) always remember.  In no way am I posting this to say "look at our family!"  I am posting this to add to our own remember when moments.  We started out our day by sleeping in (well some of us- Brady and Jim woke up at dawn to get a round of golf in!).  After a healthy breakfast of freshly cut Utah peaches and...doughnuts, we enjoyed the first session of general conference.  We listened to the last half hour on the radio as we drove to Provo.

 For about 2 weeks we told the kids we were going to have a surprise family weekend.  They had no idea what we had planned.  We took advantage of the beautiful weather and hiked to the Y.  Jim and I remember hiking the Y in college (my dad came up from Florida and buried a 'treasure box' filled with all kinds of stuff-$75 worth of quarters being a favorite. Quarters=clean laundry in college!)  Jim, being the good 'big brother' that he was at the time, helped Tami and I figure out the treasure map and haul the lute down the mountain. 

 Back to conference weekend...So we made it up the mountain with the kids.  The hike was a little tough for the girls on the way up so we took it slow.  What a beautiful view.  It was great to sit on the cool white rocks and just relax and talk.  I had previously come up with a bunch of 'why' ('Y') questions that we took turns answering. The questions were geared toward the importance of the gospel and why it is important to choose the right.  The kids' attitudes were great and we had nice conversations about life and its purpose.

 After exploring a little bit we headed down the mountain.  Brady and Cam actually had a hard time going down because the muscles in their thighs were hurting.  Instead of complaining about it, they got a little silly going down.  Cam's legs actually went into spasms when we sat to rest.  Brady still does not understand why people like to hike.  I should have brought a wedge and a golf ball so he could hit the ball to each switch back.

 After hiking, we jumped in the truck and picked up a KFC lunch feast.  We drove to Vivian park up Provo Canyon as we listened to session 2.  We planned to listen to the rest of conf. on a little radio but had reception problems.  (We will have to catch that in the Ensign)  Not sure why Katie has such a look of shock here.  I think Jim had just told the kids that after they ate lunch that they needed to close their eyes because we had another surprise.

 We picked Vivian park on purpose because on a similar Saturday 18 years (almost to the day) Jim proposed to me with a ring in hand on that same hill top.  These next pictures are of the kids getting their own special CTR rings.

 We had another family discussion on choosing the right. (an emphasis on choosing the right spouse.)

 The girls were thrilled with a real ring that would not turn your finger green!

 The boys asked us how we knew that they would like that particular ring.  Little did they know that about a week earlier I had asked our good friend Amber to come over and come up with a story to find out which ring they would pick.  She played the part perfect as she came over one day when just the boys were home and asked their opinion about a ring she was getting for her nephew.  Brady even asked her what kind of stuff he liked.  She responded with an "Oh.. he likes golf and basketball"  They each pointed to a ring they would have liked in the Brochure.  When we told them on the hill what Amber had done they both were amazed at how obvious it was and that they did not put it together.  Got to love having sneaky neighbors!

                                       A family planning on choosing the right!

 Here we are, a couple that did not know how it could be possible to love each other more 18 years ago,  to now knowing that it only gets better and better!

 After our picnic we unloaded the bikes from the truck and headed down the bike trail. (Jim drove the truck down and his bike back up to Bridal veil falls.)  Can I just say that it was perfect bike riding conditions.  How can you beat a warm, down hill bike ride, along a river, with fall leaves in the trees of the mountains all around you. 

 We stopped at the falls and met Jim where we took shoes off and waded through the water.  Well, four people did that.  I did briefly put my feet in but quickly took them out.  The water was so cold it made my feet hurt.  Brady and I opted to take our picture from sitting on the boardwalk.

After the bike ride we loaded up and drove home just in time for Jim and the boys to make it to the Priesthood session.  The girls and I had ice cream and painted toe nails.

Sunday brought a huge breakfast provided by our traditional Sunday morning breakfast KING.  (aka-Jim)  We watched conference at home and then we were able to get tickets and a parking pass to the afternoon session from our stake presidency.  It was mine and the girls first time watching it in the new center.  Our seats were pretty close and to sum it up...It was wonderful!  The spirit was strong. There is no way to put into words how it feels in the conference center when the prophet walks in and as a hush falls over the crowd, or seeing your little girls stand tall and sing 'I am a child of God' with about 21,000 other saints.

Our last and final surprise was really for Megan as we were able to go to Grandma and Grandpa Guertler's house for a surprise dinner and chocolate cake for Megan's Birthday.   It was a great way to top off our family weekend.