A Trunk Or Treat in Princeton.

This years trunk or treat in our new area, and church was a huge success! I couldn't believe how many kids, and people attended! Almost every car, and van was decorated, and it made me so happy, and grateful to be in a place where there were so many people, especially the youth having a ton of fun, laughing and having a grand time! It goes to show that we are never too old to dress up as there were a lot of older youth, and adults all decked out in elaborate costumes!

Bike Riding in Autumn.

Autumn feels like the perfect time to learn how to ride a bike without breaking into a massive sweat and so yesterday we took advantage of the autumn weather, and decided to go to the park to take Noah on a test drive in riding his bike.

Temple Day With Some of My Favorite People!

Several missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gathered today at the Philadelphia temple to bid farewell to a few missionaries who are departing home. I met up with one of my many dear friends from my old ward to attend the temple together along with other sister missionaries including Sister Jensen who will be going home next week! 

Leaf Peeping in the Catskill Mountains.

There is nothing more beautiful in the fall than going for a drive down the Hudson Valley with our family. The two and half hour drive to the Catskill mountains to take a train ride put a smile on our little boy's face. He was sick for almost four days, and the look on his face when he saw a red train was priceless. He had no idea what were going to do. All he knew was that we were all going to go for a drive to go leaf peeping by car, not by train. 

A Reflection Of Heaven.

Throughout my years of being a member of the LDS church, and turning over a new leaf in learning about Christ's life, and growing spiritually is that I think we often err when we plead to the Lord to take any kind of temptation, and trial away from us. But one thing I've seriously learned about living this life is that there must be opposition in all things.

Throwback of Sierra Playing Piano From Christmas '15.

When I'm feeling down, or can't sleep I tend to listen to good music. I'm so glad that I have kids who are talented not only with playing the piano, and various instruments, but to make music as well. My oldest daughter Sierra and her girlfriend created their own rendition of Capitol Cities "Safe and Sound" (which you can listen to on Soundcloud.com), and I can't even begin to tell you how that song was created at the time when I needed some solace.

Love My Team of Readers!

One of our favorite things to do when we move to a new area, and to relieve us from any type of boredom which seems to be rare these days because of school being in session along with piano lessons, and other extracurricular activities is going on the prowl to hunt for bookstores. This is one thing that we all absolutely love to do!

Witches Night Out at Gardner Village - Circa, 2005

Even though I've scrap booked my kids lives in their memory books since the day they were born there was no depiction or stories written behind the photos. And since I enjoy writing I've decided to do a few throwback posts on some of my fondest memories before we moved to Jersey, and before we became a family of six. They won't be in order, but i hope that you won't get bored with my short stories or snippets of my family behind these posts. This is being written for my posterity, and will be printed and added on to the tangible photos in their scrapbooks. I also hope that at the same time it'll make you smile, and have you leaving saying, "no wonder", "so that's what happened to her",  "cute kids", and "so glad she was safe all these years!" So enjoy! Note that all photos in this post were taken by wonderful husband with a Nikon N4004 back when people used to develop film in a dark room, and way before smartphones! 
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There are days when I miss Halloweens in Utah. Back when the girls were little we always dressed up as witches to attend an event called witches night out at Gardner Village. I blame my mother-in-law for getting me hooked on this tradition, and every time I see my friends with their daughters going to this fun event via social media, I have to admit I get a tad bit jealous!

Pumpkin Picking At Castle Hill Farm.

It's funny how seasons can really change someones mood, and turn you into whole different person. When summer ended I was a little sad, but at the same time was looking forward to fall only because this past summer was scorching hot. I have to say that fall is definitely my favorite season, and only wish that it could last longer than the other seasons.

Noah-isms. End Of Summer Edition.

I meant to post this a couple of weeks ago way before fall began, but time slipped away from my little fingers. Now that we are two weeks into autumn I figured I'd post this anyway.

Hartford Connecticut Temple Open House.

How incredibly blessed we are to have more temples in the east coast. It's not Utah, but having six temples in a proximity where you can drive anywhere form one, two, three, or even six hours to attend one is good enough for me! It most definitely has been a miraculous year of temple building here in the east as well as the west coast, and to have attended two open houses is indeed a miracle not only for me, but for my children as well.

This past weekend we attended the open house in Hartford, Connecticut and oh my goodness this temple is absolutely exquisite! It is beautiful, and totally reflects the New England culture. It is quaint, and old fashioned, and I love the lampposts that stand outside the temple as well as the one hanging in front as you enter in. Again, we are not allowed to take pictures inside, but being the avid art lover that I am observed every single painting that was hanging on the walls, and noticed that there were two that were duplicates as the ones being hung in the Philadelphia temple. Not sure which one has the original, but it was pretty neat to see similar pictures of Christ, and to have had a deja vu moment. 

I captured a few moments outside the temple of my sweet family, and only wish Sierra could have joined in on this moment. I'm grateful that she has had opportunities to attend a few open houses in Utah such as the Payson, and City Center. 

I love the mums that are planted outside the temple. My favorite plant and so New England! 

Jon's twin. I swear she's looking more, and more like him each day. She'll definitely be tall like him too!  

I'm so grateful to have made the time to come out and experience yet another temple open house. This is so important to me, and taking the kids for them to see how special temples are is important to us. I want them to know that this a special place where they can come to feel peace, and perform ordinances for their ancestors. To know that doing their work is the utmost important thing they can do for our loved ones who have passed on. To know that when they are old enough to go through that this is a place where they can escape from the world, reflect on the Lord's blessings, be strengthened, feel peace, and become hopeful again. 

Counting my blessings to know that this guy is mine for all eternity. We love the temple, and appreicate it. The temple truly is a reflection of heaven, and a place to go where I will always, always find peace. 

I love my family, and shutter to think of how life would be without them for eternity. Like Elder Holland said, "I don't know how to speak about heaven in the traditional, lovely, paradisiacal beauty that we speak of heaven. I wouldn't know how to speak of heaven without my wife, or children. That would not be heaven for me." 

And just like Elder Holland I cannot imagine heaven without Jon, or our children. No matter how much we may disagree, yell, and have spats I love my family, and cannot imagine eternity without them! 

**The open house is until October 22 so if you live in the east, or are planning a 'New England fall trip' please come. It is free, and such a beautiful place to be! You can reserve tickets here if interested!