Visiting Kirtland.....and the Church Sites

While we were in Ohio, we had a few extra days after the Bronco game to visit parts of Kirtland and learn more about the beginnings of the church. WE stopped at the Johnson Farm and got a tour of their home and what impact the Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife had on their family. We went into the original town of Kirtland where the first temple was being built, but missed going into it since they close at 4:00 and we were about 15 minutes too late. The Kirtland Temple is owned and operated by the Church of Christ. We also walked into the town of Kirtland where N.K. Whitney had his store and sold many goods to the people and walked into their home that housed the School of the Prophets and was a small place for Emma Smith to call home for about 18 months. What a spiritual experience to be there where the Prophet Joseph Smith stood and received revelation of the Book of Mormon and was able to bring the gospel back on this earth.
While we were there, we were able to look up Justin's great, great grandpa Lorenzo Dow Young, brother to Brigham Young and find that he helped in the construction of the Kirtland Temple. How awesome that we have pioneer heritage in the early days of the church.
The original Johnson Farm where so many historical events happened in bringing forth the gospel and translating the Book of Mormon.

The fireplace that Sister Johnson used which was filled with many children in their home. Their family was quite wealthy back then and they enjoyed the conveniences of having 2 fireplaces in their home with many windows throughout their whole house.

The original store of Newel K. Whitney, which housed the Bishops Store house, the School of the Prophets and was also a home to Emma and Joseph for about 18 months. Justin great, great grandpa purchased goods in this store at one time during the 1830's.

An original piece of furniture that was engraved by N.K.Whitney. He brought the chair from New York and then moved it to Kirtland, Ohio where it still stands.

Denver Broncos vs. Cleveland Browns

Our annual Denver Broncos game was on a Thursday this year, Nov. 6th. This year we had the opportunity to watch a Bronco game in Cleveland, Ohio; which worked out great since my Uncle lives there and we were able to stay in their awesome home for 3 days. Our flight over there was delayed and we didn't get into Akron, Ohio Airport until after midnight and then drove another hour to their home. It was very fun and relaxing to not have to worry about our kids and know that they were having fun at their Grandma and Grandpa Hegsted's house back in Idaho. So, to make this a long story short, Broncos scored first and were on the board, but not for long and it wasn't until the 4th qtr. that they came back to win it 27-24. Yahoo!!!! We were jumping for joy and very excited that we were in a suite to not be around all the other Cleveland Browns fans that just might have beat us up. Thank you for my dad for allowing us to be a part of such a great tradition and we were glad that we were able to make the journey to Ohio to see my Uncle and Aunt and their family, and have a nice mini vacation from our children, whom we missed a ton in just 3 days.

All the guys hanging out in the suite watching the game from the goal line!! What a view!.

Justin standing in the lower bowl of the Cleveland Browns stadium.

Justin and I before the game at my aunt & uncle's house. GO BRONCOS!!!

Super Heroes to the Rescue!

For Halloween this year, the theme was super heroes. Brayden was Batman, Dylan was Superman, and Jaci was Wumba Woman. It was so much fun to get their costumes. As many of you know, I go and get professional pics done every year with my kids. Here are some of them.......

Brayden, the "Black Knight" Batman was ready to face all the villains in Gotham and were going to destroy them all.

Dylan, "Superman" is stronger, faster and braver than any other super heroes and were flying all over the world ridding the world of all the bad guys and monsters.

Jaci, "Miss Wumba Women" is stronger than any batman, and superman and an fight all the bad guys no matter who they are and what special powers they might possess.

All 3 Super Heroes put together and you got a big bunch of super-fanatic heroes that are always willing to save their mom and dad from all the "bad guys" in the whole wide world!
Halloween was tons of fun this year with Jaci Lyn running around from house to house following her brothers to get as much candy as she could. The weather was awesome and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect night-weather wise that is.
We had pizza and salad with homemade glazed doughnuts from Mckenzie. After about an hour or so of trick-or-treating, we went out to Rigby to get treats from Grate Grandma Shirley. It was fun to have the kids pass out candy and indulge on Grandma Greats chocolate sheet cake.
The kids ended up with a ton of candy and Dylan over indulged just a little too much!!(he woke up that night with a tummy ache and ended up with throwing-up everything. I think he learned his lesson on eating too much candy.)

My Golden Birthday!!! Turning 27 on the 27th of October

On the 27th of October, I turned 27!!! Man, I feel old, well at least it seems like that on paper, but mentally, I still feel like I am 22, weird, huh? My kids all sang happy birthday to me and my parents and in-laws gave me money for my birthday which was for a worthy cause to help organize my scrapbook stuff. My sisters were awesome and gave me some great presents as well. Justin took me out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse and we pigged out; we couldn't even eat the free dessert! Then we went to Kohl's where i got some new jeans and a shirt. It was so much to go shopping without kids and not worry about them opening up the door of the dressing room. Then, Justin told me that I had an appointment at 8:00, and we were to be a few minutes ahead. So, after kohl's, we drove across the parking lot and stopped in front of "Massage Envy." I had an 8:00 appt. to get a full body massage. It was awesome!!! Justin went back home and helped put the kids in the bed and picked me up after I was all done. It was an awesome day and truly a great golden birthday.

Lawson Cabin

A few weeks ago, we headed down to Utah to be a part of a special day for my sister, Renee and her husband Adam, as well as for my other sister, Christina (tino). WE were able to go through the temple with them so they could take out their endowments and for Renee and Adam to be sealed in the Jordan River Temple. It was an awesome time to be there and be a part of it. Thursday night, we all meet at Madeline's Restaurant and had a big family dinner with all of the Lawson clan and a few of Adam family. To our surprise, we were greeted at the door by my sister, Tracey, who has been living in china since January. It was awesome to see and have here be a part of this great day with my family. I know my parents are quite proud of all 7 of their children that they are now worthy to enter the temple and partake of the covenants that we made in the temple.
After the temple, we all headed back to change our clothes and drive up to the new "Lawson Cabin" in Kemerrer, Wyoming. It was awesome!!!! The view is incredible and there is nothing but beauty all around you. We all stayed Friday night and had a mini family home evening, a baby shower for Leash, a girls game night, and hanging out with the guys "all the brother-in-laws" were all just hanging out while all the sisters and mom chanted and laughed our guts out about anything and everything. The kids roamed the property as much as they could, while the men rode all over on the 4-wheelers. The weather was awesome and we couldn't have been more excited about a place that I know my parents and my brother were so inspired to get and make a part of our family with many more memories to come and last in our hearts forever



This is the main cabin that sleeps about 15, with the smaller cabin that sleeps about 8-10.