Lions, Tigers, and Bears - Oh My!!!

Today we went to the Phoenix Zoo. We were all so excited to go! We went with our friends from Canada - Felix, Becky and Haylee Janse. It was so fun and we got some great pics. Enjoy the slide show...



Okay - I don't mean to be crude, BUT(T) I just had to take this picture of the Baboon! Go ahead and use whichever caption you feel is most appropriate. We welcome any of YOUR captions - please send us your PG-rated comments.

1. Preparation H, anyone???
2. You can kiss my big pink...
3. Wouldn't you like a seat like this for church when you are stuck on the cold metal seats in overflow?
4. Perfect candidate for the new BUNS OF STEEL.
5. The actual reason for these enlarged bare bottoms is that baboons sit a lot and cannot afford to lose circulation if they have to suddenly get up and move. The large cushioned backsides prevent numb legs. Who would have thought? I'm sure there is a great infomercial product in here somewhere... :)

Temple Square Mission Reunion

For those who may not know I served a mission on Temple Square '02-'04 and I am sure every missionary may say this, 'it was the most wonderful mission in the world,' but my mission truly is the most amazing mission in the world.

Let me give you a few insights as to why I feel this way. First, we walked and taught in the shadows of a Temple, and a historic one at that, and all of Temple Square is dedicated ground (many people don't know this). Second, I served among the most amazing women WORLD-wide. The world was truly our mission. Over 40 different countries are represented on Temple Square. I cherish and love each one of those sisters, they are AMAZING!!! Third, we carried a heavy responsibility of being the first impression many would have about the church and we would have only moments to touch their soul, this was not easy but as we saw these miracles occur time after time. It was hard having such a special experience only to send them on their way and to never know what the outcome would be. Missionary work is a selfless work, but missionary work on Temple Square in this regard was even more selfless. Fourth, as my Mission President stated many times, "the Lord loves Temple Square," and He truly does.

Now, I won't recap all of my mission for you, even though I did read one of my mission journals lately. I actually wanted to share with you some glimpses of my last reunion. It was so incredible to meet up with past missionary buddies and still see such a strong light radiate from them. And to see my Mission President and his lovely wife and feel of their love and strength, oh it was so sweet...

Here is President and Sister Crouch!! I LOVE these people, they truly changed my life and I felt so honored to serve under such an incredible Mission President and his darling wife.

Here is a picture of a few of the sisters, our camera couldn't fit them all in. Check out the slide show for more pictures.

It was just so fun to see the sisters with their eternal companions or soon to be eternal companions, some even had their sweet babies with them. I couldn't get enough of being around the my fellow Temple Square sisters. President and Sister Crouch threw a wonderful reunion, there was a dinner buffet and short program. Sister Samaroo put together a slide show presentation of pictures sent in from sisters, and then I think it was President Larsen who put together a slide show of the senior couples who served. Then we, of course, stood and recited Doctrine and Covenants 4, The Standard of Truth, and My Missionary Commission. I couldn't believe that even though I have been home for 4 years that I could still remember them. I must admit I was a bit rusty on my Missionary Commission. The evening was just fabulous! I am going to put a slide show of the some of the pictures, I really wish I would have just walked around and took pictures of all of the tables, but of course I was busy chatting. :o) The evening was one that I will hold dear for a long time.

Time in Utah

Before leaving for Utah, we found a little feathered friend had built its nest outside of our master bedroom window. It just sits serenely the entire day. Aubrey loves to watch the little birdie!

Aubrey and cousin Rhome skype their Canadian cousins (Emmy, Azia, Parker, and Cardiff). Skype is amazing. It's definitely something that our family will have to invest in. Not much talking actually happens - just looking and each other on the computer and making funny faces into the camera!

Grammy and Grampy were amazed at how "chunky" our little Addy has become. You can tell that they are proud Grandparents! Of course, Aubrey and Addy were happy, well, because Aubrey is a "Princess" and Addy is so cute - they were both absolutely spoiled!

Aubrey loves her cousins. Here she is hanging out with Rhome, who btw loves to wink. He's so cute! They seemed to have lots of fun together, but both were pretty possessive about their toys!

Grampy sure had fun playing with Addy. He seemed to have had the magic touch this weekend. Anytime that Addy cried or got fussy, she calmed right down as soon as Grampy held her. Since they don't get to see the kids that often, Mom and Dad had no problem having them hold the kids as much as they wanted!

Our trip to Utah was most enjoyable. We got to see Grammy and Grampy, as well as Aunt JJ and Uncle Mike and cousin Rhome. Jade is about to have another little cousin, so it was good to see her before life would become too hectic. Overall, our experience in flying with both youngsters was positive. We couldn't believe how friendly everyone was - from airport check-in, to security, to flight attendants. Everyone was so nice and helpful. Molly and I were a little worried about how the 2 younger ones would do. Aubrey got her own plane seat and was just purely excited to go on an airplane. "Airplane for me?!?!" was her favorite question. Overall, the girls did wonderfully. We've never walked right off a plane, had all of our baggage ready to be picked up immediately and had so little hassle going through the airport and security. We really couldn't have asked for a better flying experience. It's just too bad that our trip was so short.

FYI - if you have to rent a car - make sure that after they con you into getting an upgrade because it has more room - that the trunk is actually large enough to fit in everything! And do not - repeat - DO NOT get a Pontiac G6! They stink for luggage space, trunk room, and overall comfort. Automatic upgrades to SUVs or minivans are preferred.

I wish I had taken a picture of our "stack" as we pushed it through the airport. Just use your imagination...one double stroller, with two car seats stacked on top, followed by one suitcase, one carry-on, and a diaper bag underneath and a little girl in the front seat. I'm sure it was quite a sight! Fortunately, everyone was most patient and helpful and most importantly - understanding. It helps when the girls are so cute and can take most of the attention! :)

General Conference

This past weekend I (Rylan) had the opportunity to attend General Conference Priesthood session with my Dad and brother-in-law Mike. It was a wonderful experience. The vastness of the Conference Center is almost overwhelming - and to see it completely filled with honorable holders of the Holy Priesthood is truly amazing when one considers the power in that room! The spirit was very strong. As soon as the First Presidency entered the auditorium, the restlessness and the busy voices hushed almost immediately. A reverent hush overcame the auditorium in a wave as everyone stood in reverence. You literally could hear a pin drop. This sight brought tears to my eyes. The respect shown to the newly sustained Prophet of God and his counselors was quite emotional. To think that we were going to hear President Monson's first address during this conference was a treat. To all who were present, I'm sure that his talk will be forever memorable - the laughs, the ear wiggles, the stories, and the emotional experiences of a dedicated missionary that brought grown men to tears. Each talk was wonderful.

I thoroughly enjoyed the choir, the music and the spirit of the entire meeting. It was truly a blessing to be present. Overall, I was impressed with the general feeling that the message was to be better. To be a better Priesthood holder, a better friend, a better son, a better husband - and that more was expected of us. I feel like we were asked to serve a little better and a little more.

Before the session began, I was also impressed with the emphasis that was placed on "being courteous to those outside who wish to disrupt the spirit of this conference." I was also impressed with the missionaries as they lined the walls of Temple Square to sing hymns as members went to and from the Conference Center. The spirit all around Temple Square was very present and almost "palpable." You could tell this was a special conference.

The first session of Conference was amazing. I can vaguely recall my first experience during a Solemn Assembly when Pres. Hinckley was sustained, and was on my mission when Pres. Hunter was sustained. Even watching on TV and standing up in the living room, the spirit was very strong and tears came easily as I sustained a new Prophet of the Lord. To me, Pres. Monson seemed almost overwhelmed (I can't think of a better way to explain it), but seemed to have literally been strengthened and rejuvenated as Conference weekend progressed.

When the spirit was as strong as it was this past weekend, one cannot help but know - really know - that it's all real. It's all true! This weekend, the spirit has time and again confirmed and reconfirmed to me that the Church is true. That we are indeed led by a living Prophet of God in Pres. Monson. To think that he is the 16th President of this dispensation is amazing - and especially considering how he has been groomed since being called as a Bishop at age 22 and Apostle at 36! Wow. I'm sure appreciative for times like this where I can soak up the spirit of Conference and have my testimony renewed in such a powerful way.

It was also quite a treat to go to Molly's Temple Square reunion. It was fun to watch her re-acquaint herself with old missionary buddies and companions. To see them recognize each other, but forget names, or to look at their name tags to remember first names or their new married names. I will let Molly write about her reunion experiences. Suffice it to say that Temple Square, (despite it's inherent "drama" of having so many sisters there) - and I don't mean that to be rude - and the Sisters and the senior missionary couples that serve there definitely carry a special spirit about them which was still very present and noticeable during the reunion.