SLC Masonic Temple

Last month, Jonathan and I were able to take a tour of the Masonic Temple in Salt Lake. Neither one of us have ever been inside of one before, so it was a very interesting experience.

It was a self-guided tour, but there were many Masons throughout the various rooms. They welcomed any and all questions. They also made it very clear that they are not a religion, but do require the members to believe in a higher power whether it is God or not they don't care. Their purpose is to gain knowledge.

While they encouraged people to take pictures, Jonathan and I only took a few. We could tell that they have truth because we could feel the spirit there. We chose to honor that by not taking pictures of everything we saw.

We found this image of the Temple of Solomon in a hallway. It has descriptions various sacred parts of the ancient temple including the instructions for the construction of the temple from the scriptures.

With all of the temples we have visited since moving to Utah, it was nice to see a different organization's temple. There are definitely many similarities between LDS temples and Masonic Temples.

Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, Jonathan and I visited the cemeteries where some of our ancestors are buried. I remembered how whenever we would take flowers to my grandpa's grave, my mom would come prepared to clean off the grave marker and pick any weeds that were growing. I followed her example. I felt a little silly walking through the cemeteries with a roll of paper towels and water to clean with when most everyone else had flowers, but I was glad that I came prepared.

Our first stop was in Bountiful. We saw the markers for, Cyril Call, Anson Call, and Anson Vasco Call.

Not surprising, we ran into some very distant cousins of Jonathan's. She told us the story about how Anson Call met one of his wives. (Yes, he practiced polygamy and followed the correct process for having additional wives.) One of the handcart companies left to cross the plains a little late in the year. They ended up getting stranded in the snow before they got to Utah. Anson was on of the men that was sent to rescue them. Margaretta was so tired that she just wanted to lay down and sleep. He bundled her up and put her the back of his wagon. She was also very hungry because she ended up eating the feed for the animals. Mmm old, slightly rotten potatoes! Anson pulled her back out of the wagon and with the help of one of the other rescuers, they had her walk back and forth between the two of them so she would live.

We were also reminded that Jonathan's great-great-great-great grandpa served in the war of 1812. We will be sure to remember him on Veteran's Day from now on!

At the Salt Lake City Cemetery, we were able to find more of my ancestors. First we stopped off at James Davis' marker since I knew we could find it again. Someone already came by his marker and placed an American flag by his marker.

The next one we searched for was for William and Ellen (or Hellen) Bellamy. Thanks to the map of the cemetery, they were very easy to find! William Bellamy's marker was starting to be covered by grass, so Jonathan grabbed some tools from the car to dig out the roots and dirt.

 As I was researching, I found out that their daughter Sarah Ellen Bellamy married Joseph Machen on the ship as they were emigrating to America from England. I also found out the Ellen's maiden name is Redfern which is my great-grandpa's middle name.

It took a little bit longer, but we were also able to find John and Lurena Nebeker. We could tell that we were in the right area because there were quite a few other Nebekers around them! Now I just get to figure out how we are all related.

We also visited a few other markers before we left.

Hyrum Smith's memorial

President Heber J. Grant

President David O. McKay

President Gordon B. Hinckely

And my dad's favorite, Porter Rockwell!

Then we headed out to Magna to visit where Jonathan's great-grandma and great-aunt are buried. We were not prepared for how dusty this cemetery was, but we still did our best to clean their markers. This visit was much more emotional for Jonathan. He knew both of them and attended their funerals. 

I am so glad that we were able to take the time to visit our ancestors and to remember them.

My Father

My dad loves being a teacher because he can spend most of the summer camping. He's never happier than when his is out in the woods. A scripture that perfectly describes my dad is 1 Nephi 3:15. "And my father dwelt in a tent." 

This is from his third time climbing half-dome.

Thanks to my father, I also love the outdoors. I don't get to camp very often, but I enjoy being in nature whenever I can. I love the memories I have of being at Rucker Lake. We would canoe, hike, fish (unsuccessfully), and shoot guns. Back when we lived in Citrus Heights, I was able to go on a couple of bigger hikes with the Young Women during Girls Camp. Being a leader gave me a new perspective. I understand better why my dad loves sharing the outdoors with anyone and everyone.

This is from Girls Camp in 2011.

I gave my dad a small painting for Father's Day. One of my favorite memories of camping was going down to the lake to lay down on the dock and look at all of the stars.

I am so grateful that my dad shared his love of the outdoors with me and gave me so many wonderful memories.

Play Ball!

We went to a UVU baseball game on a perfect April evening. What made it even better was that they were playing against New Mexico State, one of the schools Jonathan applied and was accepted to. One of these days we'll get there! Any way, we were both really impressed with how well UVU's defense was.

New Mexico tried to rally, but UVU was able to get the win.

I am so glad that we actually went to a game this year!

The Summer Freeze

It happened. It's my least favorite time of year... 

Our apartment complex turned on our swamp cooler. It will be on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and way too many weeks until they turn it off again. The swamp cooler is for our apartment along with the two that are below us, so we are not allowed to turn it off. EVER! Last year, we got a passive aggressive note from one of the apartments below us reminding us that we are not allowed to turn it off and if we do we will be fined. Really the swamp cooler wasn't working and was just blowing warm air. Jonathan made a note in reply that they needed to complain to the office to get the swamp cooler fixed.

Back to Idaho

I'm still not sure how March and April past without a trip to Idaho, but it did. This trip was long overdue! The kids were extra crazy because it had been so long.

Seth and Clara thought it was so sneaky for them to hide behind the couch.

Clara's sagging because her pants are too big, but they are purple
and that's all that she cares about! Annie is resolved that she
needs to hide them until Clara grows into them.

Ruby has changed so much since February! She is getting so mobile and can go from laying down to sitting like it's no big deal.

Ruby was all over the place! She crawled up next to me and was super smilely. The next thing I know, she snuggled up next my leg snoozing away. It's exhausting being the baby.

 Before dinner, Jonathan and I took the big kids to the Army Surplus Store. I'm not sure who liked it the most, but we were really lucky that Seth and Clara are such good kids. They found all sorts of little things and I was ready for them to ask us if they could have it, but they never did. They would look at whatever it was and then put it away and move on to the next thing that caught their attention.

They went crazy over anything that was gold colored.

I love this picture even though it's blurry.

I'm sure if my dad had been with us, he would have bought these hats for them.

We ended up taking enough time that Chris and Annie were able to have a quiet beginning to their dinner.

Sunday morning Clara was looking at the pictures in the front of her scriptures. She recognized the picture of Jesus, but not the others. Jonathan and I told her about the other pictures and then we read some scriptures. Don't worry Dad, the first one I had her read (repeat) was 1 Nephi 2:15.

Sunday morning scripture study.

The kids are really patient with us in the mornings. We sleep in the bedroom in the basement and the kids are kept upstairs until we are awake and we don't wake up as early as they do! After we finally did make our way upstairs Seth immediately went downstairs. Since I forgot my earplugs, Jonathan slept on an air mattress in the playroom. For the kids, it clearly was a toy to be played on. I laid down and at least for 30 minutes the kids were laying down with me.

Seth's pretending to be asleep.

 Ruby thinks she is ready to be a big kid and eat real food. She devoured the roll that Chris gave her for lunch. During Sacrament meeting at church, Ruby was offended that Jonathan and I didn't give her any of the bread and started to whine at us. 

The best trips to Idaho include a visit to the farm. We had dinner with Annie's wonderful parents. As with all of our trips, it ended far too soon.

I am resolved to visit sooner than not so the kids won't be so crazy!

Tulip Festival

For my birthday present, my mom gave me the wonderful experience of going to the Tulip Festival with Jonathan. The spring storms had taken their toll on some of the tulips, but thankfully not all of them!

It took us awhile to figure it out, but these tulips reminded us of missile popsicles.

Jonathan loves this picture because I'm wandering in the background.

These tulips reminded me of peonies because of the layers and layers of petals.

The paper lanterns made this area feel magical!

I've already convinced my mom that she needs to come out for the Tulip Festival next year!