Vacation to Utah

Just before school starts again, we went on one last awesome trip.  The big reason for our trip was Benjamin's baptism, but then we stayed for another week thereafter.  Benjamin was baptized at Martin's Cove in Wyoming.  Martin's Cove is a Mormon historical site - the site where the handcart pioneers, led by Edward Martin, were rescued from starvation and exposure on their trip west to Utah.  There's a river there called the Sweet Water River and stories abound regarding the pioneers crossing this river in November on their trek West.  It has become a popular baptism site and we thought it would be a wonderful family experience and wonderful memory for Benjamin and his two cousins, who also turned 8 this Summer, to get baptized in the river together.  We drove the 21 hours straight to get there, then met everyone at the site and spent the morning pulling handcarts the five miles from the river up to the cove and back.  I never want to pull a handcart again.  It seemed like no big deal to me at first. I'm strong and athletic.  What's the big deal?  But after that hike, I had real admiration for those pioneers!  I had a marked trail, good shoes, and warm weather and I was ready to leave that darn contraption in the grass and head back before I was half done.  Those things are heavy!  And then you add all the stuff into it! Then you try to pull it with a husband who's a foot taller than you and so you can never agree at what level the thing should be tipped - your level is too low for him and his is too high for you so it's impossible to really pull together.  It's a mess! And I didn't have to deal with snow or hills or mud.  Bless those saints that made that journey.

After the hike we gathered at the river's edge and Benjamin, Katelyn, and Spencer were baptized and confirmed by their fathers.  It was wonderful.  It is such a wonderful thing to witness Benjamin decide to follow Christ in this way.  I know his testimony is still just growing and he has many more decisions ahead of him in life, but he's on the right path and he told me that he "didn't notice if the water was cold because the Spirit made me feel warm."  I remember getting out of the water at my baptism and saying, "This is the happiest day of my life!"  How wonderful that we got to share that with so many of our family.

Before the big moment:

In the river.  Benjamin was the first to be baptized.:

Big hug from dad afterwards:

All the family after everyone's baptisms.

Our attempt at a family photo.  Benjamin had accidentally bonked Bella in the face right before and so Bella was in no mood for pictures.

After the big event, we spent the next week hiking, boating, motorcycling, hanging out in the mountains in Kelly's sister's cabin, and getting together with friends.  It was a wonderful vacation.

My kids are total motorcycle fanatics.  They all have no fear and will go as fast as the bike will take them.  Benjamin was off riding on is own immediately and Bella learned to ride alone before the week was over.  I have to admit, it is a lot of fun, but there's still a healthy dose of caution in my blood.

Speaking of no fear, you can take Benjamin tubing as fast as you want and he'll just keep hanging on.  He's amazing.  Bella and Kate preferred things a bit calmer.

There are wonderful trails up in the mountains near the cabin we stayed in.  One led to a swing up on the mountain top!  So much fun to swing and look over the valley.

Cousin selfies.  Such cute boys.

Playing with the cousins is really my kids' favorite reason for going to Utah.

Not to mention staying up late every night and watching movies....

 ...and piling crazy amounts of kids in small spaces up narrow winding mountain trails. :)

We also went to the Ogden Temple open house.  What a gorgeous building and what a special experience to be able to take Benjamin through the temple after his baptism. My only regret was that it didn't last longer.  I would have loved to stay longer in every room talking about it and feeling the spirit together.  Not every day you get to do that with your son.  Can't wait until he's 12 and old enough to really go in one with me.

Had to go get ice cream after the open house. Such a hot day!

They had a cute little blue screen photo op there.  I think it's the only good family photo we got all trip.

And I almost forgot to mention that we celebrated Christian's 4th birthday up at the cabin!!!  My little boy is four!!  I think the chocolate cupcakes were his favorite part. :)

 

Or maybe it was the presents. :)

Sweet Christian is such a joy.  He's our most optimistic, resilient, loving child and we treasure him.

It was hard to go home again and I don't mean the 26 hour drive.  I really hate leaving everyone.  We always have such fun together.  Maybe it's the not being together all the time that makes our time so special, though.  So grateful everyone could get together and make the whole thing so wonderful.