Visit From Baby Brooklyn!

Who likes going to grandma's house?!
"Me!!!" Says cute little Caleb in his big boy boots!

We especially like going when we can see cousins! Our cute little cousin Brooklyn came to visit us in Utah a couple weeks ago! We were so excited to see her! The kids just couldn't get enough of her! Little Brooky lives in California so we don't get to see her very often! She is 8 months old and every time we see her she has grown even more!

Ty, Mara, & Caleb thought it was so fun to watch her in this standing toy! They helped her find all the toys, lights, & sounds! Then they watched her on the floor do all her tricks! Brooklyn received many hugs, kisses, squeezes, tickles, and loves from her cousins!

Uncle Blake might think he is the favorite uncle--but we all know who Brooky's favorite 'aunt E' is! Here we are reuniting! We became fast friends! She talks up a storm it's fun to hear her babble!

Grandma Mimi was thrilled to have her baby girl visiting!

We had such beautiful weather we took the kiddos to not one but TWO parks to play!

Miss Mara loves going down the firepole!

And here's Caleb practicing balancing with a little help from Aunt Lorisa!

The weather was perfect! It felt like summer was on it's way!

Aren't you suppose to go up the mountain Ty?!

Ok--this picture might not look hilarious, but we were all laughing our heads off as it was being taken! Here Scott is at 25 still needing a push on the swing from his mom!!

I hope Ty never grows too old to play at the park! He's figured out ways to keep playgrounds interesting! Climbing as high as he possibly can!

Have you ever tried taking a picture of 6 different moving objects at one time?! It's not as easy as it looks! It was sure fun to have a swing for almost everyone!

Caleb just couldn't get enough swinging!

Alright, I admit--we were happy to see Brooklyn's parents (Scott & Lorisa) too!

While Scott and Lorisa were at the temple we watched baby Brooklyn and visited the sights on temple square. I couldn't help but feel the Spirit as we walked around the sacred grounds of the temple and visited the North & South visitors centers. It was a great experience for me to teach my children more about the gospel!

I wanted Ty & Mara to be able to touch the temple! I'm excited for the temple to touch their lives some day!

Everyone we walked past assumed Brooklyn was one of mine! I would claim her any day! She looks about the right age to fit into our family! I was very glad to have such good helpers! Four kids is quite a handful!

We loved seeing the beautiful flowers on temple square! Nothing says spring time like the colorful blossoms in the gardens!

Caleb wasn't quite feeling himself today. He wouldn't be sitting in a stroller--he usually is running, climbing, and being very active. But for some reason he was a little under the weather!

Who said anything about making a silly face?! Brook was so easy going! She was thrilled to go for a walk outside and see all the sights and sounds! She even took a little napper on our walk.

These 3 sweet beautiful children are sealed to me and Nate for time and all eternity! Almost 10 years ago Nate and I were in this temple being sealed together! How happy I am to know I have a forever family!

It soon began to sprinkle rain so we were able to go into the temple just to a visitor's area. The kids colored pictures and watched a movie while we waited for Scott & Lorisa. I really do love to see the temple! And I love going inside! It is so peaceful and beautiful.

After we saw all the sights on Temple Square we went across the street to the Church History Museum. I haven't been here for many years so it was fun to go back and visit. Many exhibits had changed since I was there last. The children's exhibit was spectacular. If you need something fun to do with your kids this summer I highly recommend this museum! (And it's free!)

Too cute! Look at those darling faces driving the car! It was sure fun to have a cousin to play with!

Beep! Beep! Here are two little drivers! I know it won't be long before they are actually driving! I'm pretty sure I can wait for that day to come!

The museum had a quilting exhibit. Mara is making a quilt out of magnets. They had patterns to follow or you could make your own.

Mara followed the pattern above to make her square.

Then the kids practiced sewing with a large piece of rope. They learned to weave their string in and out of holes.

They each took turns fishing on Nephi's boat!

Mara played with the wooden dolls. Kind of like paper dolls but much better!

Ty loved building the tower of babel out of life-size blocks! He made a huge tower and then knocked it down!

Even for not feeling great Caleb still had a fun time!

We all ate lunch together at Noodles & Company! Yummy food that's for sure! Ty ate not one but three bowls of spaghetti! I forget sometimes what a big kid and hefty eater he is!

Spaghetti is one of my kids' favorite meals! It looks like we need to have a little lesson on the proper way of eating spaghetti!!