Temple pictures

in this picture is out stake that performed a Mexican Dance and my circle is in it! Yeah!!!

Some fun info on the celebration
By Sarah Jane WeaverLDS Church NewsPublished: Sunday, Aug. 24, 2008

FILER, Idaho -- Waving brightly colored flags in celebration of the rich heritage of south-central Idaho, 3,200 LDS youths participated in a cultural event here Saturday evening.

I think you will always remember the part you had here. You can't help but remember it," President Monson told the youths before the celebration began.

Titled "Living Water," the production featured dance numbers performed by youths from the 14 stakes in the temple district, which includes Twin Falls, Jerome, Burley, Rupert, Ketchum and Hailey. They celebrated the history of the area, made viable by the water flowing from the Snake River.

Just as water met the physical needs of early settlers to the area, the new temple will now meet the spiritual needs of local Latter-day Saints, said Steven Tuft, who with his wife, Susan, produced the event.Performing in the rodeo arena of the Filer fair grounds, the youths danced on a huge stage, 160 by 88 feet. Local church members filled the dirt arena with sod and other decorations, including a huge waterfall to represent Shoshone Falls -- a popular local landmark just two miles from the new temple.As part of the event, the youths performed 14 dances that highlighted the history of the area; dances recognized Native Americans, pioneers, Idaho miners and European and Mexican immigrants. The big-band era, county fairs and Idaho potatoes were also part of production. Mormon youths of the Twin Falls Temple district perform at the cultural celebration August 23.

Susan Tuft said more than 800 adults played a major role in making the event happen, working with choreography and costumes, among many other things. She hopes the youths realize the effort was worth it."We hope it will sink in and help them realize the church values its youth," she said.

Here is a link to more pictures of the celebration!

http://magicvalley.com/story_tools/player/?type=slideshow&skin=&id=43

A link to a demonstration for the opening and closing numbers.. I love the music

http://tftemple.com/news/youth_culture/youth_video_openclose.html

Twin Falls Youth Cultural Celebration.

Okay I was so mad when I got to the Filer fairgrounds and realized that I didn't have my camera with me. I didn't get one picture of the celebration, my circle of dancers or anything. I also missed the opportunity to get a picture of President Monson.(I wouldn't have been in it but I would have a self taken picture of the prophet.)

Besides that, the day was wonderful. I was able to watch one of the performances and the whole program was perfect. I think the best part of the day was to watch the youth get energized for the performance for the prophet. They were a little sluggish by the time the 7:00 p.m. performance came around. We had arrived at the fair grounds by 10:00 a.m. and had already done two practice performances. But they were full of "Prophet Energy"after the opening number. They were all smiles and full of that youthful life. After the opening number you could see that all of the time and efforts were worth it. They each felt they had a personal connection with the Prophet. He either smiled, waved and even winked at each of them. What an experience and testimony builder to have with them the rest of their lives. I know I loved it and I was back stage.

The Prophet gave a ten minute speech and blessing on the youth that were there. It was beautiful. The one thing that really has stuck in my mind is his three D's.

DECISIONS DETERMINE DESTINY!

Before he came out I was watching the area with security and the cushy carts to see when they would arrive and be coming. I gave a play by play to the other leaders around me. I was so excited to see the Prophet live, in person, in Idaho, talking to our youth. I was worse than a child on Christmas morning. Of course, the opening song before he spoke was ... We Thank Thee Oh God For a Prophet. We all know me and I started to get teary eyed but I actually pulled it together and sang all but the first few lines of the song. (miracles do happen!) I had to have it together because what if this was the only time in my life I would have the opportunity to sing this to the prophet in person. Like my live performance - so when there is a will there is a way .... and I DID IT! President Monson is a wonderful man and he had the youth laughing before, during and after his speech. At the end of the Youth Cultural Celebration performance they had the youth sing the song to the opening number "Living Water". While they sang they had pictures of each of the wards up on the big screens and although all of the others had left, Pres. Monson stayed until they were all displayed. He really does care about the one. I got to stand by the gates where he was driven into to get in his car to go.

(The closest I have been to a Prophet)

I loved this day and will forever hold it in my heart. The circle I worked with may never know how grateful I am for them and for their wonderful fun spirits. Every youth should participate in a temple celebration --- It is a life altering experience, even for the leaders.

(The others that came - Pres. Eyring and wife, Elder Cook and wife, Pres. Monson's daughter, YW General President and husband and a Member of the Quorum of the seventy.)

First day of School

Yesterday was Katie's first day of first grade. She was so excited! a little nervous about the who was in her class but came home with all smiles. She got up all by herself at 6:45 in the morning. About 30 minutes before she had to. She loves school for the learning and the social. It is wonderful to see her grow up and becoming such a wonderful young girl. I am blessed with her!

Here is Katie and her teacher Mrs. Gunnell.

The Cassia County Fair

Okay so we may not live in Burley the rest of our lives so we are trying to experience everything while we are here. The Cassia county fair is a BIG thing in Burley. I mean big - people plan their vacations, school reunions and such around it. Just about everyone goes at least once if not every day. There is a parade on Wednesday morning that everyone watches or is in. Businesses close, even a few banks, so their employees can watch the parade with their families, plus the fact that no one comes in during the parade. They also have a rodeo for three nights. We always to go to the kids free night on Thursday and love it. We normally have to come home and act out rodeos for a few weeks. We enjoy the fair as a family and decided that we needed to be apart of it. So the children entered cookies into the fair. Katie made oatmeal butterscotch and Zach entered brownie cookies. Katie won a red ribbon and two dollars, which is second place. Zach wasn't old enough so he got a green ribbon for displaying them and a dollar. It was fun to be able to go see the cows, pigs, horses, pictures, and their cookies. We will be doing something next year too. One of our Burley traditions!

Zach

Couldn't leave Zach out of the blog so here he is when he was out side running after his sister. He loves to ride his Diego Bike but running is still faster for him so he often prefers to run. He is happiest outside running, riding, jumping, playing in the water or mud, and anything else he can think of to do!

Up Up and Away

Morgan started to crawl up the stairs Saturday night. She made it up the first two before Trevor got her down. She had a good fit over that too! It takes her a while but it wont be long until we have to really watch her and probably put a gate at the bottom of the stairs like the top. She is pulling herself up on things and walks when you hold her hands. Although you always want them to grow and develop, being a crawler in perfect for now ---