the Liebhardt's: Post Nick's Wedding...

After the wedding, the luncheon, naptime, and the reception, Damian and I decided that it would be fun to take the kids down to Temple Square. We haven't been there since Braeden was like 1-ish, I don't think, and since we don't get up there very often and it was only a few more miles down the street... {Okay... it was more me than anyone that really wanted to go, but everyone else complied and off we went!}

When we got there, we had to circle the square a couple of times before finding a parking space. Damian wasn't about to pay for parking... {even though we do it basically everywhere else we go.} We parked right by the south entrance and lo and behold, there were the carriages... just waiting for us to get in! Haha. Just kidding. Damian told me to go ask how much the fare was, so I did, and we decided that we would first walk around the temple grounds and then hit the carriage ride on the way out.

When we went into the tabernacle, there was a live feed coming in from the Conference Center. They host a free concert there every weekend, I guess, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was singing with a guest singer {someone that was recently on Dancing With the Stars...?? Name?? Anyone?} who was really good, but our kids only lasted a few minutes before we were out and about exploring again! The one thing I wanted to see was the reflecting pool that is on the east side. And, as you can imagine, the kids can't resist touching the water, so between that and the fountain that is over by the statues on the south side of the temple (the one that looks like a shell,) the kids were wet again.

We did stop in the South Visitor's Center to see the 7 ft. cutout sculpture of the temple. It actually shows the rooms in the temple and how they are laid out. Very cool. We had no idea that the 5th/6th floors were a giant assembly hall.

Then... off to the carriage ride. We opted to take it up to City Creek... just a little ways off the busy beaten path. It was relaxing and fun just to be together... the 5 of us!

After that, we returned to the hotel and went to Gma & Gpa Linda's room to say bon voyage, as they were on their way to Puerto Vallarta for a week's vaca. Kate and Casey were still in there, so we did get to stay and play for a few minutes, and then we called it a night! We're hoping that they will make it down this way and Braeden and Hayden can play again! I told Hayden that we needed to get them a big padded room so they could wrestle and scream all they wanted without getting hurt or shushed! He quickly responded with a very concerned look and an adamant shake of his head! Haha! Maybe he already knows what padded rooms are really for... ;o) Long day, but so much fun!

I should note here that Lexi fell asleep in the car while on our way... and those of you who know her very well, also know that she doesn't wake happily... so...

{AND... why are my pictures fuzzy? They don't look like this in the file on the desktop, where I'm uploading them from... grrr. Does anyone know what I've done wrong?}

She had to use her full weight to push down hard enough on the foot lever to get the water fountain to work. :o)

Yep. She's a bear when she wakes up unrefreshed from a long day. Haha! Notice Braeden and Ella don't even care... they are busy... in the water. Water is a serious MAGNET for my kids.

Damian and Ella heading out without the rest of us.

{At this point I'm very, VERY upset about the resolution quality. Damian's face is clear as day on the hard drive.} I think he is overwhelmed by the temple's vastness. It is not only magnificent... it's huge!

I went on the other side of the pool. Notice the ripples in the water from my kids playing in it??

And when there are no kids playing in it, it's almost like glass... or a mirror. Yes, mirror. Amazing.

It's no wonder it took 40 long years to complete. Look at the intricate work in the granite.

My kids, mostly my girls, also love to smell the flowers. This is Ella... smelling EVERY flower along the wall.

Love it!

One of the nice hostesses offered to take a picture of all of us, so... here we are!

In the South Visitor's Center. Lexi is playing on one of the MANY touch screen monitors that offer a wealth of information about their displays.

Here is the cut-out replica. Awesome.

Ella and Braeden also loved to play on the monitors. Braeden is sitting with me and Damian when I took this picture. Damian and I were finding out what the top floors of the temple were.