On Friday I took my kids and Bella to the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house. We missed the open house of the Draper temple, and I was disappointed, so I was determined to go this time.
It was much more crowded than I anticipated, since everyone has a specific time for their reservation. We waited in long lines. We were grateful for the tents over the walkways that provided shade from the heat.
Luckily, the girls did a pretty good job of entertaining themselves.
And Max was great to have on hand, as he helped me to keep track of Bella. She enjoyed holding his hand and I definitely enjoyed having another responsible person along. It's hard keeping track of more than one small child in a big crowd!
I took this self-portrait with Lucas so we could compare our hair color. It's pretty rare that Lucas willingly lets someone take a photo!
Eva & Bella were enthralled with the fountain. I love the thought of them having a picture of themselves at the temple when they were this small!
I couldn't help wonder if this temple will have a special place in my children's hearts since they were able to walk through the whole thing.The girls surprised me by being very reverent and attentive the whole time. I also got to point out lots of things and answer questions that Max and Lucas had about the temple. What a great opportunity to be familiar with the temple and to kind of know what to expect before you are old enough to go as a patron!
The hospitality tent. After the walkthrough, guests are directed to this tent for cookies and water bottles. Max said, "I've never seen a chandelier in a tent before!"
As we walked back to our car, we talked about our favorite parts.Max: the cool fabrics everywhere. Everything was stylish and beautiful.
Lucas: all of it!
Eva: the chandeliers.
Bella: where people get married (the sealing rooms). Second favorite: the baptistry.
me: The quiet peace that prevails there.
I am so so glad we took advantage of this opportunity!
15 comments:
I do love your photography Michelle. It's always so interesting and good.
I especially like your short hair in the SPT with you and Lucas. It's darling.
You're right. The peace would be my favorite thing, too...and the water bottle at the end :) (can you tell this is written in the middle of a fast Sunday?)
Kudos to you for making it a point to go and for braving it with all the kids by yourself. Of course, Max isn't really a kid anymore, but you know what I mean.
I was grateful for the shade from the tents as well, it was soooo hot on Friday!
I loved all the chandeliers in the temple; they have such a sparkly, heavenly quality about them.
I'm so glad you got to go!
We missed it- the fabrics were awesome in the Draper temple too- Now I REAlly wish I would have gotten there!
I am so glad you got to go & even take BElla!!
You know that I'm all about chandeliers in tents! Good observation, Max-man!
I wish I could have gone with you. I'm thrilled that you took all the kids and not surprised at Bella's favorite room being the sealing room, since she is obsessed at a young age with getting married!!
Did I miss the report on the short hair cut? It looks really cute, post more! Lucas does look like he has your hair color!
Eva is looking so old. She looks like she has the cutest little figure, reminds me of Denise's girls when they were young. So cute.
I believe this will be a memorable experience for all.
What a great thing to do! They announced a temple here in Gilbert a while back, but still haven't broken ground .... nevertheless, I'm really looking forward to taking my girls when there's the open house. After driving through Utah last month, we were kicking ourselves for not planning better and taking the chance to take the girls through.
Is that your new haircut peeking out in the picture with you and Lucas? I think it looks lovely -- you were much to hard on yourself in your description. No frump that I can see.
That's so neat that you could take your kids. I'm sure it is something they will always remember! I was able to go to the Draper Temple open house and was awed by the beauty of the art, architecture, and spirit. How special that you could all go!
new haircut tease!!
I think your hair looks cute!
Very cute hair cut! Love to see more of it when you do a post on your new cut.
Claudia took me to walk through for the Newport Beach temple and it was amazing. I enjoyed the entire experience.
I'm with Max- LOVED the fabrics!! And a chandelier in a tent on a windy bluff- very daring!
We were there on Friday too- waited over an hour to get in the temple doors and then we were hurried through the celestial room. sigh. Such a blessing that I can go back to take it all in when it is quieter and less rushed!
I am really looking forward to taking my children to the Calgary temple openhouse (five years from now?) The efforts made for the Oquirrh Mountain temple open house were beautiful, and very reflective of the beauty of the temple.
We loved it too. Luckily it wasn't hot or really crowded when we were there.
Eva's dress is too cute!
I miss being near so many temples, I just really do.
That is the most intense tent setup I have ever seen. Not your regular RS setup, that's for sure. Way to go, church!
What a great memory for your family to share. Everyone looks so cute in their Sunday clothes! That is a pretty amazing tent, for sure.
wow! so beautiful. and can i just say- i've never seen cookies at the temple before...
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