A Clue! A Clue!

Joseph L.O.V.E.S. Blue's Clues. I want to share the cutest thing that happened today. We were cleaning up toys in his room and suddenly he became really excited about something in his toybox, pointing in there and saying, "A clue! A clue!" We don't have any Blue's Clues toys and I couldn't guess what he could be pointing at. I looked in there and saw this:

For the next hour or so, he played with that little train, off and on, talking about the clue on it. Then he started to say "train clue" over and over and I realized he was saying that the train was a clue. Once I said that, he looked at me and said, "notebook?" That's the next step in the Blue's Clues game, is to draw a picture of the clue in the "handy dandy notebook." So I went and found a little notebook to use and got a pen and drew a picture of the train in it. Then Joseph took the pen and tried to stick it through the spiral bounding of the notebook, like Steve does in the show, but it didn't fit. It was just really cute to see him get so excited about it all. We'll definitely have to play some more of our own homemade games of Blue's Clues. I would much prefer that to having the tv on so much!

Temple

Two weekends ago John and I had an unforgettable opportunity to be able to escort my brother and his wife through the St. George Temple as they went through for the first time and then were sealed to each other and then to their sweet little daughter. It was such a special day! (for more info on temples and what being sealed means, see here.)

It was wonderful to share it with those who were there. I am so proud of them for all the ways that they have grown and changed over the years to bring them to where they are now. I'm so proud that they never give up at working to become their best selves, even when things are really hard and sometimes the challenges seem insurmountable. It has been wonderful and inspiring to share in their journey.

My mom came down with my younger sister and brother that same weekend and we loved being able to spend time with them too.

Joseph had a blast with his young aunt and uncle. Our little copycat followed Saydi everywhere, copying everything she did. It was super cute.

Speaking of temples... it just occurred to me that I have yet to post anything on another wedding we had recently! One of John's younger sisters, Laura, was married and sealed to Israel Hepworth in the St. George temple on January 7th. It was wonderful to also be a part of that day! The ceremony was absolutely beautiful.

Joseph at the wedding reception sporting the vest and tie that all the other nephews were wearing. The nieces were wearing cute little matching dresses in the same blue.

And since I'm blogging, I may as well comment on our Valentine's Day too! It was an enjoyable day, spent just together as a family at home. We made sugar cookies and decorated them together. Simple, (no pictures) and very sweet. I love the simple memories of life that make up our every days. Life is so beautiful.