Idaho Falls LDS Temple Open House

 

Levi (25), Nathan (11), Hyrum (9)

Levi got off work early in Idaho Falls and met us at the bus location for a ride over to the temple. It was almost like a trip back in time to walk through the temple. Nearly everything was the same as it was in the 1990's when LeRoy and I would attend that temple because the Rexburg Temple had not yet been built.

I almost felt like I was in my parent's temple. It wasn't until the tour that I realized I had always felt that way about the Idaho Falls Temple. The paintings, color scheme, layout, and the fact that it was the temple where my Dad received his endowments, all made it feel like it was from a generation ago whereas the Rexburg Temple feels like mine. I've vacuumed the baptistry, dusted the entry, cleaned out the lockers and attended there more times than I can count. Still, it was great to walk through the Idaho Falls Temple to let the boys have whatever experience would be specific to them.

The boys loved and admired the murals in each room but seemed a bit frustrated that it was a silent tour and that they were shushed a couple of times. They wanted to ask questions and Levi wanted to share memories. When we walked into the baptistry Levi started to tell the boys that he had done baptisms there, one of which was for Great Grandpa Levi Edwards that he is named after. A worker tried to shush them but I signaled a plea to her to let them talk. This was a brother moment and I didn't want Levi's memory and sharing of it interrupted. When it became an actual realization to Nathan that he would get to do baptisms at the temple in just one year he became very excited and I'm grateful to Levi for sparking that excitement in him.

Our bus ride preceding the tour and our drive to dinner after the tour were anything but reverent. Our favorite photo from the bus is the selfie of Levi and Nathan with the guy behind them photo bombing. 

Nathan and Hyrum wanted to ride in Levi's car to Chuck-A-Rama (or Upchuck-A-Rama as I call it) and due to his fancy car and speedy skills they got there before we did. They sent us a couple of Snaps questioning our whereabouts to which we Snapped back at the closest stoplight. They were particularly fond of the Devil/Angel photo of LeRoy and I, finding it quite appropriate to our personalities.

d'Evegnee Sleepover

While the older two thirds of the d'Evegnee family went to France for the LDS Temple open house, the younger third spent a week's worth of nights with us.

Though our days were mostly filled with school, homework, and trips back and forth into town, our evenings were full of laughter. For FHE we pulled out the photo booth props and took pictures to put on cards that we wrote to family members. Charlie was such a good trooper to smile and participate after he spent the day coughing and throwing up with a slight fever. His smile gives nothing away.

When the cards were all finished we roasted s'mores for treats. It was wonderful to have our table surrounded with kind words, silliness and sweets. The kids all got along so very well.

Charlie and I spent our mornings with Charlie Dog; reading and relaxing. Charlie chatter on the drive to Kindergarten was entertaining and educational. I kind of wanted to keep him forever. 

They initially acted as if I was dishing out cruel and unusual punishment when I would interrupt their playtime with dinner,  but they would get right back to their games and imagination afterward. Nearly every meal conversation was full of jokes and puns.

Marie spent her birthday with us so we did our best to ward of the homesickness with a happy cake and making banana splits since every one of Marie's conversations somehow led to bananas.  We then went to the Lego Batman Movie where we filled an entire row with popcorn and laughter.

Peter, Marie and Charlie were so patient and a great addition to our family but after almost 2 weeks of being without their family, they were so ready for home. After spending an extra night with us due to flight delays, they woke early on Saturday, packed their own stuff and waited and waited near the front door. When I told Marie that their mom was on her way over I got this candid reaction.

The Paris France LDS Temple

Bruce & Marie Hafen (Sarah's parents), Peter, Eric, Holden, Ethan, Eve, Sarah
This trip was a dream come true for Eric and Sarah who each served their missions in France.

Spring

2008 ~ 2017

All growed up and looking sharp!

After spending a couple of months working from home (and more specifically, a desk in a closet in his basement bedroom at Erika's house), Derek started work at Marketstar/AdRoll in Ogden. He continued living with Bret and Erika for the first month while he did his training and looked for an apartment.

I was so impressed with his enthusiasm for the job, especially considering how nervous he was to start it. It's a big job! He found several bargains on really nice clothes and set his new standards his first day of work in his fancy blazer and a killer watch to boost his confidence a bit. He has kept his own personal dress code since. I am so very proud of him! Six months later the job still scares him and occasionally he has thoughts of finding other work but he moves through the fear and is conquering.

Daymia and Levi provided their 3rd annual Easter Egg Hunt. I didn't realize it was a tradition until just now but for the last 3 years they have made Easter fun for the boys. They are so great to fill plastic eggs, hide them around the yard and then cheer the boys on as they frantically search the yard for sweet treasures. Brock helped in the hunting, Levi helped in the counting, and everyone joined in the eating.

Miss Kailee Jo somehow manages to keep getting cuter! She climbs in and on everything and pals around with her Daddy in the garage or at the skate park. She suddenly looked so much older when her teeth popped through. Her smile brightens the day!

Vivien and Gabor are forever busy with school. They keep us updated through spying pictures that they take of each other and we love it! If I could have a magical wish, it would be to spend a week with these two.

Nathan went back in time and became Theodore Roosevelt for a day. His best friend was Elvis. Fifth grade history came to life as each student reported on their researched person and presented their poster of information. Nathan, Hyrum and I all learned as we worked on the poster together and we now have a desire to go see Mount Rushmore since Theodore Roosevelt is one of the presidents carved into the mountain there. Our favorite fact was that our snuggly "Teddy Bears" are called teddy bears because of Theodore Roosevelt. Nathan was also impressed that a Navy Aircraft has been named after him.

LeRoy's grocery shopping abilities require a stroll down only one isle . . . carbohydrate.

If given the choice of shopping with only one parent, the boys would choose Dad every time!

Nathan's 11th Birthday

Nathan's birthday dinner included his favorite foods: "white noodles", peas, ham and cheese roll-ups, deviled eggs, and to fit in basketball theme we also had Gatorade and Turnovers.

He easily handled the candle lighting and carefully considered his birthday wish. As he blew out the candles he was thrilled to see that they would relight since they were sparklers and had a big cheesy grin on his face when teased that each burning candle represented a girlfriend.

Again, LeRoy was overjoyed to have his youngest sons interested in sports and after Nathan received a football and basketball as gifts, they promptly went outside to use them. Occasionally, Nathan was distracted by the thundering Thor hammer that he also received.