I Love to See the Temple

  Last saturday and sunday Jared and I had the honor of participating the Twin Falls ID temple dedication.  Jared spent about 4 months teaching our young men and young women how to perform in a dance program made for 4,000 youth.  (That's right, I said four thousand!!!)  They've practiced every Wednesday night since May and finally performed with the 13 other stakes. They danced friday night and twice on Saturday and it was fantastic.   

Then on Sunday it was my turn.  They had 4 dedications of the temple and for the last session, I got to sing in the choir.  We've been practicing since May as well.  It seemed a little tedious practicing that far in advance but once we got in the celestial room and were able to be just a few feet from the Prophet, it was all worth it.  What a great experience that we'll both never forget.  Me, because I got a thumbs up from the Prophet and Jared, because I don't think anyone ever forgets when they work with 4000 kids in 95 degree weather.  

My sweet Preston

Preston is my oldest. Things that naturally come along with that: he mimics all my phrases (even the ones I wish he wouldn't), he thinks he is really 8 or maybe 12, he is very proud that he dominates his younger sibling in all areas (except maybe in the screaming department), and he wishes that Noah and him were the same age so they could play better together:) I kind of wish that too.

So when Preston was born, I only noticed his unusually large feet and hands, but about 2 days later I also noticed that his belly button poked out abit, especially when he cried. And then it really started to poke out, enough for Jared to say that we might have to keep a t-shirt on our perfect little child for say..oh the rest of his life. The doctor told us it was just an umbilical hernia and in fact, it was starting to close already. Well, it got smaller and smaller, but then one day it just stopped and he's had this adorable little outie since then. He's actually quite attached to it. But alas, every once in while it would hurt and the doctor said it was time to get it fixed. So yesterday we went in and he had his very first surgery (hopefully his last).

Preston has the best poker face ever, his first rollercoaster ride, his first seadoo ride, boat ride, new people, new situation of any kind and his face doesn't even flinch. Dead pan..is the phrase that comes to mind. And for 2 hours yesterday while they prepped him, that was his face. No one got him to crack a smile, he barely knowledged their existance. I love Preston:)

Anywho, he did great. His was only under for 45 minutes and today he has already started playing. Not like "jumping on Grammy's bed" playing (which I'm sure he never does) but none the less he was still moving around and I'm glad to see him already getting better. We'll see his new belly button tomorrow and he starts kindergarten on Monday. Way to go Preston!!

6 New Posts

Today was the day.  After 2 months of going AWOL, I have returned and be forewarned: there are 6 new posts that I have completed.  This is not for the faint of heart and I won't be offended if you only look at the pictures:)

Triathalon #2

Jared is amazing.  A 1 1/2 weeks ago he did an Olympic triathalon.  That means he swam a mile, biked 24 miles and ran 6.2 miles.  Quite a few too many miles if you ask me.  I am so proud him and am quite certain that if I had been in his shoes I would have drowned in the lake.  

To my discouragement I cannot get this first picture in the right order.  This is not the beginning of the race, or I wouldn't have let him even start (he looks a tad tired).  This is the finish line but the rest are in order:)




Jared has now asked me to call him an Olympian:)  Great job, Jared!  I love you!

I got air

I'm not exceedingly proud of how terrified I look in this picture but it is proof that I got air and I actually landed it and have subsequent others.  Something I haven't done in like 8 years.  Jared on the other hand, only started wakeboarding this summer and he might have just an inch or two on my jump.  maybe

Wold family reunion

The Wold Family Reunion:) WOW...pretty much sums up how that went.  I'll let the pictures describe but we went up American Fork canyon and went four wheeling and dirt biking.  It was a great day and Preston would really like Grammy to buy him a four wheeler for him.  How 'bout it Grammy:)  ??

We also went to 7 Peaks in Provo.  I only wish I'd had my camera out more.  I have never laughed so hard as I did when I convinced my sweet older sister to go down a death drop (and she didn't know, since she's legally blind without her glasses).  I am so mean.  And these are my nephews who are under the impression that they are the coolest people walking the planet.  

So in defense of my two overly confident nephews...I was impressed that they could breathe while going down this slide, let alone be cool for the camera.

Hill Family Reuion

What would a Hill family reunion be without a boat, warm weather, and lots of water toys.  Actually we did do other activities, but the camera only made it to the water events.  We did a humanitarian project, made Harry potter wands that were so real looking- they could have been used in the movie, we played games, went fishing and had way too much food.  It was AWESOME.  Definitely a do-over and over and over...you get the idea, we had a lot of fun:)

I love my son but he's about as photogenic as I am:)  By the way see that belly button.  Well, as of this thursday he will no longer have it.  Preston is getting surgery to remove the umbilical hernia that causes it to bulge out like that.  He's a little nervous but after I promised a day full of XBOX, he said he's be fine getting it done.

Craters of the Moon

So while my family was here...we had every intention of going waterskiing, but then we remembered that to get that boat up here from Boise, we'd have to tow it behind the Passat.  And while I was all for trying, Jared didn't think it was a great idea.  Plan B:  My brother, Eric, said he remembered going to Craters of the Moon when he was 8 and having a blast and its only an hour from us.  He went on and on about how cool it was and how all of us would love it.  But over the next couple of days, logic started setting in.  How cool could walking on a bunch of rocks be..and how cool would they be in 95 degree weather?  But we were determined and so we set out!

This one might need some explaining.  This was the only red colored rock in a 10 mile radius and Boyd saw the inspiration it created immediately.  He's still 12 years old.



So to sum up.  Craters of the Moon is still awesome.  We all had a blast and will definitely be going back.