Payson Temple Open House
We are so excited for our temple to open soon! Hal and I were privileged to help with the Open House. Hal helped direct cars in the parking lot and I helped usher inside. This temple is gorgeous with beautiful stained, leaded glass windows with the apple blossom theme that is so fitting for the Payson area.
One of our YSA from Berlin, David Wollinski, came to visit us, so of course, we took him to the temple Open House.
SLC Temple Square
We also visited Temple Square for a tour and lunch at the Lion House.
David spoke a little English and we spoke far less German so communicating was a bit difficult at times. We were happy to find a native German speaking sister missionary to give the tour. We joined with another German speaking couple and David enjoyed talking with them as well.
David and the German speaking sister in the Conference Center.
The beautiful Christus in the Visitor's Center
Trip to St. George and the National Parks
Kay and Ken were so gracious to host us in St. George. We surprised Kay by arriving in time for her spring Keynote Concert. Kay is the director of this talented group. She puts the program together and devotes hours and hours of time preparing and rehearsing with her group to present a truly marvelous show. The theme for this concert was Love, with love songs of romantic love, mother's love and love of God. It was a wonderful program!
Ken's brother and his wife, Michelle and her cute kids, Pam, Roger and David joined us for this performance in the historic St. George Tabernacle.
Gabrielle,Ken, Jaron, Kay, Michelle and baby Kenny
Three of the Gabrielsen Sisters
After the show, we took David to see the beautiful St. George Temple.
Day trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon
St. George is near to so many beautiful national parks and Ken(a native to this area) knows about all of them. He made the perfect guide to our travels.
The first park to visit was the Grand Canyon. The plan was to make a day trip to the North Rim, but it was a bit too early in the season and was not open yet. Plan B was to make the long (about 5 1/2 hour each way) drive to the South Rim. So, early the next morning Ken, Hal and David left for their adventure.
Of course, this majestic and beautiful park did not disappoint!
Views of the South Rim
A pretty view of the Colorado River
They came home from their long trip tired but happy to have seen so much beauty!
Day Trip to Zion National Park
The next day we drove to Zion with Ken, once again acting as our guide. He really knows this park and directed us on three great hikes. The weather was cloudy and rainy but this only made the park more beautiful with gorgeous views and beautiful coloring of the skyline.
I loved seeing the cliffs shrouded in mist and clouds.
Our first hike was the Weeping Rock Trail. With the rain falling, we knew this would be a good day to see the dripping springs.
Ken knows so much about birds and flowers and wildflowers. He can tell you the name of a bird if he hears them call or sees them in flight. I really enjoyed learning the names of some birds and flowers we saw on our hike.
Golden Columbine
Shooting Star
Western Columbine
Weeping rocks and hanging gardens
Our second hike was the Riverside Walk. This was a very pleasant hike along the Virgin River with views into the narrow canyon known as the Narrows. Ken has hiked the Narrows many times.
After our two morning hikes, we were hungry and ready for lunch. We went to Oscar's and enjoyed a delicious lunch.
After lunch, we drove through Zion's tunnel and parked near the beginning of the Canyon Overlook Trail. This hike was a bit more strenuous than the first two, but the views from the top were worth the climb!
There were also many beautiful overlooks and sights on our way up.
The exposed roots of this tree are so interesting. I wonder how long it has been growing there and clinging to the side of the cliff.
Once again, we saw many lovely wildflowers.
Mule's Ear
Blooming Cactus
Indian Paintbrush
The awesome view from the top of Canyon Overlook!
After our day in Zion, we stopped at an overlook of St. George so that we could take some pictures.
I love this view of the city with the temple in the background!
When we arrived back at Kay and Ken's home, Kay a delicious meal all ready for our dinner!
We enjoyed a tasty pasta with chicken, garlic bread and artichokes from Kay and Ken's garden. For dessert, Kay made a wonderful banana cake with brown butter frosting - it was heavenly!! It was so good to spend time with them, catch up on each other's lives and we truly enjoyed their hospitality!!
A Stop At Bryce Canyon on the way home
The next morning we left Kay and Ken's home and began our trip homeward. We took a detour so that we could see the incredible Bryce Canyon. I think that this is my favorite of the Canyons and David said that he also liked it best. The beautiful colors of the canyon's walls and the fascinating hoodoo formations with windows make this canyon spectacular.
We took some short hikes up to overlooks for different views of the canyon.
Once again, it was fun to look for the wildflowers that grow in the park.
Bitter Dogbane
On our way out of the park, we saw antelope!
We ate lunch at Ruby's Inn and then made our way home.
Mother's Day
On Mother's Day, we gathered at our house for a steak and hot dog barbecue.
Sareya, Lillian, Ruby and Kyra
Sareya, Ruby and Violet
Violet, Evie, Aleeya, Ella and Preston
This was the fun table!
Evie enjoying her ice cream cone
Kelly, Evan and Hal
Treygan enjoying his steak dinner
David enjoyed talking with James and told us that James speaks German well!
I love this picture of Preston reading a book to Evie. She loves stories and her uncle Preston!
Treygan is our talented tumbler and gymnast. He can do flips - backward and frontward, walk on his hands and many other difficult moves. He began the show and of course the younger cousins followed suit. We were entertained for nearly an hour.
Little Preston and Sam attempt walking on their hands.
Ella does a back bend and Kyra and the others join in.
Ruby fell asleep after a lots of play with cousins.
Quick Trip To Vegas
The next morning, we left for Las Vegas. David had heard about this crazy city and was very anxious to see it. So, we made the drive south for a second time. We stayed one night in the Luxor so that David could see the city at night.
David was mesmerized by the Bellagio fountain and the lights and glamor of the city.
Hal and David rode the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower to see the lights and the view of Vegas.
After our return to Elk Ridge, Hal took David to see BYU Campus and drove up Provo Canyon to Bridal Veil Falls.
David saw many of the beauties and famous sights of Utah, a bit
of Vegas and was here for the Payson Temple Open House. I would say he had a pretty good trip to America.
