Temple Trips

In Utah we were literally surrounded by temples. It was wonderful to have so many temples to close to us and we made an effort to attend the temple at least once a month. Looking back, with the amazingly close proximity of so many temple we really didn't take enough advantage of them! Where we live in Iowa, we are also "surrounded" by 4 different temples. The Winter Quarters Nebraska temple is the closest at 2 1/2 hours away. There is also St. Paul Minnesota (about 3 1/2 hours), Kansas City (about 3 1/2 hours), and Nauvoo (about 4 hours). While the temple is far away, we've felt it is still very important to attend regularly. We realized a monthly trip was probably unrealistic, but we have done our best to attend as often as possible and have made it about every other month.

For some temple trips, we have made them family affairs. We pack up the car with snacks, toys, and movies then head off early in the morning. One of us will do a session while the other is with the girls then we swap. We want the girls to learn the temple is important and so far they have grown to LOVE temple trip days. The Winter Quarters temple has an incredible visitor's center across the street. There are exhibits about the Pinoeers, dress ups, movies, and other hands on things. Usually they spend one of our sessions there then after we swap we take them to the mall to play or out to lunch. Here are a few pictures from our trip yesterday!

Other times we have traded babysitting with another family in the ward. We watch their 4 kids for the day while they attend the temple then a week or two later we swap. 

Our best temple trip was last month to Minneapolis. My aunt Judy and uncle Steve, cousin Sandy and her family live about an hour and a half from the temple in St. Paul. They were sweet enough to drive up and meet us for the day! It was wonderful to see them! I hadn't ever even met Sandy's husband Adam or their sweet daughter Emma. Judy and Steve were kind enough to watch all of our girls and Emma while we attended a session. Afterwards we had a wonderful lunch and visit. It was an incredibly wonderful day. We have the best family and will certainly be making another trip up there soon!

St. Paul temple

Hazel, Emma, Sandy and Eliza

Judy with our girls

We haven't made it to Nauvoo or Kansas City yet, but we look forward to when we can go. There are no greater blessings than those of family and the temple!