Gilbert Temple Groundbreaking

What an amazing incredible day! Today Elder Costa of the Seventy broke ground here in our very own Gilbert for a TEMPLE! We are so thrilled. We were able to get seats pretty close to the ceremony (6th row!). The girls had already hit the stake preparedness fair and breakfast and Gilbert Days Parade, so they were worn out! Grandma Terri came and sat with us too. It was an amazing day filled with the spirit! We are so blessed to have this opportunity in our own town. I pray my girls will always feel that this temple is their very own! At the end, the girls got to hold one of the "golden shovels" used in the ceremony. I took pictures (amidst the mob of patient parents waiting for their child's turn). After were were out of the craziness and walking to the car, Kate very sadly exclaimed that she only had time for the picture and didn't even get a chance to dig! I told her not to worry, that I'm sure some dirt got moved around when she picked up the shovel. What a great experience for these little girls. I loved it!

Here is our family at the temple site.



These are all the current stake president's in Gilbert turning the dirt.



Here is Beth doing her turn.



And Sophia...



And Kate!

Gilbert Days

My sweet husband loves to bring the girls to Gilbert Days Parade. This year it was on the same day as the Gilbert Temple Groundbreaking. Dave still managed to squeeze it in! Grandpa Mat is always the horse coordinator for the parade. Check out these pictures and see if you can tell who is having more fun - the girls, or grandpa!

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Vet's Day! Grandpa Mat came over early and invited our girls to ride in the "Veteran's Day Parade". Hopping excitedly onto the trailer, the girls soon discovered that the parade was around the neighborhood! Yelling "Happy Veteran's Day" and parade waving was fun anyway. The flag in the front yard was a great addition to the lawnmower....

After the parade we hit the trail hiking Phoenix's South Mountain "Mormon Loop" trail. We got clear to "Fat Man's Pass". The girls loved, then hated, then loved it. It was probably one of the more difficult hikes we have done with them! At the end, Sophia told Dave, "Dad, please let's not camp ever again!" She's a cutie.

We are so grateful for all the veterans who have served for us - and those still serving!