Penny walk

Today Jordan and I

spent some one-on-one time

and went for a penny walk.

Have you ever done that?

We took a penny with us

and flipped it every time we came

to a place where we had a choice

of which way to go.

Heads - right, tails - left.

Simple, but she thought it was great.

We ended up walking and talking

and taking off our flip-flops to

splash in the water along the way.

We had to cheat a little so we could get back home,

but don't tell anyone. :)

Trek

Every time we make our

trip to the temple

in Vernal,

I feel kind of like a pioneer.

Not that I have to give up anything

compared to what they sacrificed.

But it does take an entire day

to go and do some work

at our assigned edifice.

And that small offering

always just adds

to the wonderful spirit

of the day.

Yesterday we took the kids

and met many of our

ward members up there

for a session.

The kids were taken care of

in the chapel next door

so that we could go.

It was well worth the trip.

The city of Vernal

is overflowing with flowers.

They are everywhere,

and they are gorgeous!

I don't know how they do it.

Seriously.

We all met at a park afterward

to share lunch and good times.

And let the kids take

some whacks at a pinata.

They each came away

with their fill of candy,

no disappointment there.

(Except Austin, who didn't get to

take any hits before it broke open,

I made him smile for the picture. :)

We drove home afterward,

filled in more ways than one.

All by herself

Today

for the first time, London

said a prayer without help,

and in her own words. It was

too cute, I had to share it:

"...Thank you for the church,

thank you for the library,

thank you for the store,

(pause)

thank you for the church,

thank you for macaroni and cheese,

thank you for the store,

(pause, looks at me) what?

Oh, thank you for the food..."

That's going to have to go in the baby book, I think.

. . .if I do say so

Made up this recipe today,

I was in the mood for something

almond-flavored.

Give it a try.

Frosted Almond Cookies

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 c. margarine

1/2 c. shortening

3 eggs

1 t. almond extract

3 1/3 c. flour

1 1/2 t. soda

1 (6-serving) pkg. vanilla instant pudding mix

Combine in that order, bake at 375 for 8-9 minutes. Glaze with the following:

1/2 c. margarine and 1/4 c. milk, bring to a boil. Remove from heat.

Add 3 1/2 c. powdered sugar, 1/2 t. almond extract, and 1/2 c. toasted slivered almonds.

Drizzle over cookies while still warm. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Weekend away

Lindsay and Hank

showed us a

great time

this past weekend.

We all went up to

Horsetooth Reservoir

on Saturday for a swim.

Perfect weather.
Sun and sandcastles.

So much fun!

Rocky Mountain National Park

We spent Sunday afternoon

enjoying the outdoors

and the beauties of

nature.

There were 2 of these bucks

off the road, just grazing.

We made the climb

up Trail Ridge Road

and stopped along the way

to look down

and admire the view.

The animals were amazingly friendly.

Here, the birds would land on your hand

if you reached out to them.

This chipmunk was a

friendly little fellow.

We made it to the high point

and on to the Visitor's Center.

Then, looking around,

decided it best to

make our way back down.

Amazing.

Labor day

We spent

most of the day

at Leslie & Bruce's house.

Whether we were

eating, playing table tennis,

relaxing,
playing lawn games,

playing with the parachute

with the kids,

or just enjoying,
it was so much fun

just being together.