Happy Halloween!

Hope you had a Happy Halloween!!!

We sure did!

She's Three!

Little Miss Ava turned three on the 19th.

Eek.

She's such a little sass-a-frass.

We started the day off by going to Gardner Village to

see all the Bootiful witches.

 Ava tried to be scary, and this is what she ended up with...

Since January, she's been asking

about a "Princess and the Frog" cake...

And she got the dress to go along with the cake.

Happy Birthday Ava!

Where has the past 3 years gone?

I still remember when she was like this...

I can't believe in another 3 years,

 and she'll be in kindergarten.

Double Eek.

Busy, Busy, BUSY!!!

This past week has been insane, to say the least.

Besides working, having midterms, and our RA responsibilities,

did some light travelling.

It was Nate's fall break,

so we headed up to Logan for my cousin-in-law's bridal shower.

We then drove to Boise to see my brothers.

We drove back home the next day.

We went to the pumpkin patch for the first time

ever!

Here are some pics, so you'd better enjoy...

 If you look closely, you can see a crack. It makes me smile. :)

 It was my first time ever to a pumpkin patch.

It was hard work trying to pick out a perfect pumpkin!

 We went with the Smith family.

We don't really like to smile. Ha!

 It seems like Nels is always tagging along.

That's ok, because he entertained my girls

for 5 1/2 hours.

This is how they had to sit the whole time.

Such troopers!

 Dan just loves little Halle!

He loves to make her giggle.

 Ava's in that stage where she makes

funny faces for every picture.

 We ate at this little place that was on

Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

 Awww... aren't we just the cutest?

 This is the little Drive-In we at ate.

It was totally retro and had the best burgers

ever!! It made the whole trip.

 It's home of the Ice Cream Potato.

I tried one, and it was delicious!

 I ordered the BBQ Bacon Burger. It was heaven!

The fries were seasoned to perfection. Mmmm...

And here is the Ice Cream Potato.

Wanna know a secret?

It's just vanilla ice cream shaped like a potato.

Then you roll the ice cream in cocoa.

Cut it down the middle and

put some whipped cream and toppings on it.

I can't wait to make one!

Grateful for the Gospel

     I was able to hear President Packer's talk during General Conference, and as some of you know, it's caused quite a heated debate over the issue of homosexuality. I have been thinking a lot about his remarks. And by a lot, I really mean, A LOT. But I have to tell you, my testimony has been greatly strengthened.
     I know that Heavenly Father is no respecter of persons. He gives us modern revelation and it comes through His servants. Although some of that revelation may be quite unpopular, it is the truth. Our church leaders aren't out to get the popular vote, or to say what people want to hear. Viewpoints and doctrine don't change just because people protest. This isn't politics. God's plan is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, and homosexuality completely frustrates that plan.
     I am grateful for the boldness in which our leaders speak the truth. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear, but it's necessary. I am grateful for a talk that Elder Holland wrote in the Ensign a couple of years ago, {Click here to read it.} because t really clarified a lot of things for me. I do feel bad that people openly bully and are mean to those who are gay/lesbians. I don't think it's right to make fun of them or to persecute them, but I don't agree with what they do. It's just like I don't agree with people shacking up. {That's Dr. Laura's term. It means that people live together or have sex together outside marriage.}It's immoral and wrong, but I'm not mean to people who do it.  Lots of people shack up, and it's common practice today. In fact, most people think it's weird to wait until marriage to have sex. And although society's viewpoint on sex outside of marriage has changed, the church's viewpoint has not changed.
     I am grateful for the Atonement.  If you've shacked up, you can repent and be clean. If you're struggling with homosexuality, you can go see your Bishop. The beauty of the Atonement is that it not only cleanses, but it encompasses or struggles and our battles. I know our Savior is there for each of us. He does know our struggles, even if that struggle is being gay. He still loves us, but we need to submit our will to His will and we need to make our desires what He wants us to desire. When we do this, we will be blessed and comforted.
     I know our leaders are called of God. They are inspired to lead and guide us in such tumultuous times. I am especially grateful for this past General Conference and I know with everything in me that I belong to the true church.