Last weekend we attended the open house of the new Ocquirrh Mountain Temple with my parents and "uncle" David. It was a beautiful day and a neat experience to be there together as a family. The temple was just beautiful...we are so blessed to have a temple so close. (I was too worried about the kids behaving that we weren't able to get any pictures of our family. But, at least James got one of the temple.)

We did get some pictures of the girls later in the backyard with our gorgeous roses. (It is exciting to actually find something that thrives in our yard!)

Abby, stopping to smell the roses.

Ivy, stopping to touch the roses.

Brynn, stopping to destroy the roses. =)

And, last but not least, my handsome husband. Am I lucky or what?!

Since hearing about the passing of Truman Madsen this week, I have been thinking a lot about his impact on my own life. We have always loved his books and talks, particularly on Joseph Smith and other prophets. He gave a spectacular talk about the temple with his wife at a BYU Women's Conference when I was on my mission. My mom mailed me a recording in France, and I felt such a spirit when I listened to it. (I still remember passing it around to other sisters in the mission...we all reaped the benefits of my thoughtful mom!)

When I was 21 at BYU and decided to serve a mission, Brother Madsen was my stake president (with Wendy Watson, now Nelson, as our stake relief society president...talk about spoiled!). He gave me my first temple recommend interview, and it was such a humbling, enlightening, incredible interview. I have felt a special love for him ever since. What a great man and servant of the Lord.

We can't believe how fast the time has gone...On the 18th, Ivy will already be 5 months old! I remember when Abby was born and I couldn't wait for each new milestone to arrive. Now, I just want time to freeze and my baby to stay a baby! But, she is such a doll and we are having so much fun with this age.

Ivy now rolls from her stomach to her back and is so excited about it! She also officially cut her first tooth last week and started rice cereal. Lots of fun...

(If you look really close, I promise that there is a tooth on the bottom. This was the best open-mouthed picture she would let me take!)

What a giant baby! Her smile and laugh are infectious.


Our cute girl with the "straight" hair look. (I still can't believe that a 4 month old can actually have different hair styles...This child was definitely blessed with her daddy's hair.)

I get really tired of clutter. So, while my children are sleeping, I find myself throwing away things like: happy meal toys, stray crayons (even if they are in good shape, I'd rather throw them away than hunt down the crayon box), candy (not the kinds that I like, of course!), half colored pictures, etc. My poor, ignorant children! The good thing is, they never know the difference. Unless, of course, I stupidly throw these things away in an indoor garbage can and the girls happen to see their "treasures" there. (This has happened before, and it puts me in a very awkward position!)

Ahhh, the sound of silence. Isn't it wonderful when all of the kids are napping at the same time?! I have worked for this for months! (Well, Abby doesn't usually nap anymore, but she is so good to have "quiet time" in my room with the door closed, so it is just as good as a nap in my mind.) There are so many things that I could do...but, I think I'll just sit on the couch, read a good book, and enjoy. After all, it's almost Mother's Day!