Um, a little help, please?

I finally get to use my booby-prize from the Price is Right.

But I cannot decide which one to get a canvas print of.

HELP ME!

You can click on the picture for a bigger version.

Really. I need help.

Church History Tour

Once in a lifetime trip for our family. So grateful to be able to go!

I posted some different pics on facebook.

We went at the right time! Just after the pageants, we had most of the sites all to ourselves! It was so nice to be able to take our time and soak it all in without crowds.

Checking out the Smith family farm house near Palmyra, NY.

Grandin Building where they printed the first Book of Mormon.

 Cumorah. Beautiful!

 At Niagara Falls with my sweetie.

Whitmer Farm where the church was organized. 

Such a special spirit there.

A. sad about the tiny air / light window at Liberty Jail.

 L. enjoying the shade at Adam-Ondi-Ahman.

 This sunset greeted us just as we drove into Nauvoo. 

We felt so welcome!

 Sacred space.

 Awwww

 At the end of the Trail of Tears in Nauvoo by the 

Mississippi River.

 I call this "face to face." Just love it. 

Love how history becomes real.

A. and I reenacting the classic statue. Pretty close, eh?

 The kids loved the horses! 

We got pulled around Nauvoo three different times. 

 Peek-a-boo in Joseph's Red Brick Store.

 So, Grandpa Parley P. Pratt and Grandpa Erastus F. Snow

were partners in a store in Nauvoo. Huh. Whoduthunkit.

This building, which is just North of the temple, is now a

Catholic Rectory. 

 Loved all the senior missionaries everywhere. I can totally 

see my folks and Spence's folks doing a mission like this

and hamming it up at plays each night. So cute!

 They loved it!!

 Pioneer games. A. loved this one so much he bought one and brought it home.

 Embroidery map of England :)

 LOTS of great demos. 

 Such an amazing experience. So, so grateful we could do this. 

The years of planning and saving and hoping all paid off. 

I am so grateful.

On the temple lot in Independence, MO. Sacred space! 

Again and again at the different sites we went to we knew we were on sacred ground. 

It's hard to NOT feel the Spirit in these places.

As soon as the kids are all in school next week I will be 

compiling a picture book about the whole experience. 

Speaking of school, this is a banner year for us. 

One in Kindergarten, one in elementary school, 

one in middle school, one in high school and one in college.

And life goes on!

and then some

Had a little FHE lesson on faith and taking on

the whole armor of God. The rest of the family threw wadded up 

paper with temptations written on them at him. He stayed safe!

Our version of the family stickers on cars

Hike to Ensign Peak

Playing at the Capitol

At the Church History Museum:

A and L taking a rest

Laman and Lemuel tying up Nephi

And...A and L have been wanting to raise money to spend on 

our upcoming church history trip. They have both been creating 

artwork and mazes to sell. Prices range from $1 to $3 

if you are interested. Smart kids. Like we would tell them no. 

Way to swindle the old folks out of some cash!

a chuckle and a sigh

Found this hanging over N.'s bed.

A little insight into our family life for your Monday morning viewing pleasure.

desgobols

Kinda hard to see, so I will translate. Ahem.

"I wud luv vary vary vary vary vary vary vary much ol the desgobols in the word. I wud like them mor then eneething. I wotid them for a log time."

Love that kid.

After I posted the above, I got an immediate email from my mom in London. The back and forth goes as follows:

Mom: "LOL - what is a desgobol?????"
Me: "look at the picture"
Mom: "Both Janet and I DID!"
Me: "Sound it out loud while looking at the picture. You'll get it."
Mom: "We DID!!!!!  We don't speak Ammon :) Janet wants to know if they are desk globes ????"
Me: "Oh, for heaven's sake. Disco balls!"
Then the phone rang and was answered with lots of mutual laughter. The end.

Click on this link for an amazing music video.
Then click on this link for how they did it.
AMAZING
Over the past few months I've become a big fan of this group, Walk Off the Earth (WOTE).
They've got some great originals (like the video above), but they're probably best known for their remakes like this one (original by Gotye) and this one (original by Taylor Swift). They have lots of other fun stuff too. Like this one and for Christmas, this one.
I'm sure they have their troubles, but thumbs up for talent and creativity!
Let me know what you think!
(PS anyone want to team up with me to make a fun vid? This gets my juices flowing!)
OK, one more here (original the Beetles). Love the bearded guy!

Strategy

Right after Christmas we started having a little trouble in our Senior Primary with tech gadgets getting played with when they shouldn't be. Over and over kids were being asked to put the games away both in classrooms and in the Primary Room. Ugh! So, putting Spence's brilliant idea to good use, I played this gem of a video during Senior Primary announcements.

Didn't have any more problems today. Hope it lasts. I may bring my blender for a reminder in the future if necessary. Maybe with a sign on it that reads, "gadget holder." 

Christmas magic

Found this in A.'s backpack this morning. Translation: Hocus Pocus, Christmas come right now. 

LOVE

Say WHAT?!

Jacob got a job! Jacob got a JOB! JACOB GOT A JOB!!

My son.

Working for Office Max.

So proud.

Sniff.

November 12th

MY BABY IS 5!!!!

Too bad she is sick today. 

Had a nice relaxing soak in the tub with some friends.

I especially enjoy Ammon defending the boat from the menacing Fisher creatures of Price land.

And for your viewing pleasure...the latest Walmart toy to 

hit the shelves.

I introduce: Dr. Dreadful Alien Autopsy Set

Just so you don't miss anything, I'll type out the details.

"Create delicious alien eyeballs and lung bugs. Bubbling alien guts move on motorized alien stomach. 

Looks gross, tastes great!"

Yours for only $24.99

(Refill Pack $6.97)