Family Pictures - July 2012

We had some family photos done recently by one of our super talented Pioneer trek daughters, Emma.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Straw Wrapper Origami

When we were at Burger King last Saturday, AJ make a boat out of a straw wrapper.  Pretty clever, huh?

Krispy Kreme 75th Anniversary

Boy, we picked a good day to go out.  After Travel Town and the Zoo (no pics as my camera died), we stopped by Krispy Kreme in Burbank to get the kids free donuts.  Much to our surprise and delight, Krispy Kreme was celebrating their 75th anniversary.  For each dozen donuts purchased at regular price, we could purchase one dozen original glazed donuts for 75 cents.  My friend and I purchased 2 boxes of donuts and split the cost.  It was a great deal!

But the line was long...

Travel Town

After we visited Chick-Fil-A on Cow Appreciation Day, we went to Travel Town.  It is a fun little (free) area within Griffith Park with lots of trains.

Cow Appreciation Day!

This year, we participated in the "Cow Appreciation Day" celebration at Chick-Fil-A by dressing up as cows.  Why?  Because each of us got a free meal.  Yes, we looked a little silly, but it was so much fun!

AJ and I went with friends this year, but AJ did not want his picture taken, so he took the picture.  Thanks, AJ!

Fireworks!

For the past few years, we've viewed our local fireworks from the top level of the mall parking structure.  Last year, we invited friends.  It was so much more fun with them that we invited them again this year.

Jousting! Or Is It the Olympics?

My boys are very creative. 

They can take a mundane task, such as setting up a tent, and create a fun game out of it, let's say Jousting (with the tent poles)...

Or Javelin Throw...

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

We had the privilege to go to the Dodgers' game on Mormon Night.  It was my first live, professional baseball game.  While the Dodgers' lost (badly), we had tons of fun, because we were surrounded by our friends!  Thanks Mint Canyon Ward!

He's a Reader!

Michael loves to read!

June Pack Meeting

AJ's cub scout pack had their monthly pack meeting outdoors last month.  I wasn't ready with the camera when they passed out awards, so I only got a couple of pics.

Swimming Lessons

I signed AJ up for semi-private swimming lessons through the city.  He was an okay swimmer, but I wanted him to learn to propel himself better through the water.  He liked it so much, I signed him up for a second session.  (Each session is one week long.)

Here are some pictures from his first day of lessons.  I'll try to remember to bring my camera and take pictures of him on his last day of lessons.

I Love Signs

I don't know if you know this about me, but I love interesting signs.  While in MD, I saw this sign in the local McDonalds.  I guess they have had problems with people loitering.

Dave & Busters

What is a family vacation without video games?  After visiting the Washington DC Temple grounds and Visitor Center, we stopped off at Dave & Buster's at White Flint.  We had so much fun!  The boys especially loved the 4-way air hockey table!

LDS Washington DC Temple Visitor Center, Part 2

Here's the text of a story about the exhibit at the Washington DC Temple Visitor Center (and the link http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-beliefs-explained-at-washington--dc-temple-visitors-center-exhibit).

News Story —  25 May 2012

Mormon Beliefs Explained at Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center Exhibit

Salt Lake City — 

What do Mormons believe? Are they Christian? How do they worship? Those are a sampling of questions answered by a new exhibit in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ (Mormons) visitors’ center in Washington, D.C. The visitors’ center, which draws thousands of people each year, is adjacent to the Washington D.C. Temple.

“If people are going to ask questions, we need to do everything we can to give them the answers,” said Elder Don Olsen, visitors’ center director. “The Church has many resources to provide people with answers to their questions. We have a beautiful exhibit space and decided we should use it to help in that effort.”

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The exhibit, entitled “We Follow Jesus Christ,” will be on display at the visitors’ center through the end of August. It provides answers to 24 questions about the Church that seem to have captured most people’s interest.

Among the answers are explanations of Latter-day Saints’ belief in God, the role of men and women in the Church, if Mormons are Christian, political neutrality, religious freedom and the importance of marriage.
Volunteers are assigned to visitors’ centers to help people gain a basic understanding of the Church. The display helps visitors get answers to specific questions on various topics related to the Church. (See the link We Follow Jesus Christ, in the Additional Resources section at the right.) Much of the material is taken from the Church’s MormonNewsroom.org website, which is a resource for frequently asked questions and official news and statements of the Church.

“Our missionaries love it,” exclaimed Elder Olsen. “They are using it to supplement the wonderful resources and interactive displays already available in the Visitors’ Center.”

The display has been very popular with visitors in the few days since its opening. Elder Olsen said a woman who had questions about the Church came into the visitors’ center just after the exhibit opened. “Our missionaries escorted her to the display. She was impressed with the Church’s openness in dealing with the issues and as a result of her experience she asked for more information about the Church.”

The Washington D.C. Temple is located just off the Capital Beltway in Kensington, Maryland. At night the temple, which has become an important landmark, is well lit and easy to spot. It was dedicated in 1974.
The Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center has produced a video of their exhibit which can be seen on its Facebook page.

Washington DC Temple Grounds and Visitor Center

While in Maryland, we visited the Washington DC Temple Visitor Center and walked the Temple grounds.  It is so beautiful!  Here are a few pictures.

These signs are from an exhibit at the Visitor Center titled "We Follow Jesus Christ."  In this simple exhibit, about 20 questions are answered about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I took a picture of these questions, because a friend of mine had asked me these same questions.  I thought the answers were worth sharing.

Hanging Out With John's Family

Although our trip was very short, our families were great about making time to see us.  Here are a couple of photos from dinner at John's parents' home. 

Sunday at Granny's

My mom started this neat thing a couple of years ago called "Sunday at Granny's."  It's a time when all the grandkids (and their parents) get together at her house, play a little game, and have a treat.  We were grateful to have the opportunity to participate while we were in Maryland.