We had a wonderful Sabbath day in Salt Lake. We started out with breakfast again at the hotel which went about as well as it did yesterday. There were a goodly number of dogs to say hello to in the hallways of the hotel - I was just glad Jack didn't kneel down and let every one of them lick his face. Andy did meet a Jack-Russel Terrier named... wait for it... Jack. He now wants a Jack-Russel Terrier. Those are fun little dogs though and could make the short list if I ever get crazy enough to own another dog.
Anyhow, we went out to church with Laura, Nigel and the kids. It was a good meeting. We didn't stay for the entire block and went over to Temple Square instead. We went through the visitors centers and we walked the grounds. Got a couple pics of the kids with the Temple in the back ground. This one turned out.
The kids enjoyed our visit to see the Christus. Jack took off before I could get him in a pic. I had better luck with Natty and Andy. We had a good visit as we sat together in this room. I talked to each of the kids individually and shared with them my love for them and also the love of the Savior for them. We talked a little bit about the Savior and the things that he did for us. There were a lot of people in the room coming and going but the spirit was strong and I think, I hope each of the kids felt the Spirit as I did. It was a good experience there.
After visiting Temple Square we had to take a ride on the train. It was a must and it was the motivator while visiting the Temple. The were really excited to get on the train and ride around the city a bit. Here is a pic of them waiting for the train to arrive at the station.
Here are a few pics of us riding the trains. Each picture has us sitting in a different configuration. Every time we stopped at a station the kids had to sit somewhere else, somewhere new.
The kids had a great time on the train and they enjoyed our visit to Temple Square. I also took the opportunity to drive them up to the State Capitol building. They hadn't seen it before and I figured they might as well get a look at it while we were in the neighborhood. I don't have a picture of that.
We got together at Laura and Nigel's for lunch/dinner and enjoyed a few hours with them. The kids had a good time playing with their cousins Shey and Donny. It was good to hang out. Laura let me relax as I am on vacation and I appreciated that so much. I did manage to sneak in a little dish washing though.
On the way back to the hotel I thought we needed to make a special visit and so we went to the cemetery where Grandpa Al and Grandma Vi are buried. We got out of the car and headed to the area that I knew head stone would be. I managed to walk buy it and Natty found it immediately. We knelt on the ground there and I shared with them some stories about Grandpa and Grandma. It was actually a very special moment in out day. I shared with them the poem It Couldn't Be Done and told them how that has always been my favorite poem since hearing Grandpa Al recite it at Jim's Eagle Court. Anyway I got a little emotional as I talked about and expressed my love for Grandpa and Grandma. The kids were quiet and reverent and Jack got a little emotional also. It was a good moment that I am grateful we had on this visit.
It was a great day in Salt Lake. I almost forgot, I woke up last night with an idea for a game we can play in the car. It is really simple and it is called 5 Nice Things. You take turns highlighting a member of the family and share 5 nice things about that person. I couldn't get Jack to take a turn but he sure enjoyed being highlighted. I watched his smile grow bigger as Natty shared 5 Nice Things about Jack.
Well, the trip has been great so far. That isn't to say it has been easy because it hasn't been that. Life still continues and things have to get done. Anyway, I am grateful that we took this time to visit. I love my children very much and am grateful for the strength they give me.
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