I Can Be Reverent

It's too funny, I have to share it with you. Henry gave a talk in church on Sunday. Now when I say "gave a talk" I mean he had Daddy at his side feeding him his lines loud enough for the entire primary to hear. This is because, bless little albino monkey heart, you can't understand a word the child is saying. (Not to worry, we are on it . The speech therapist is hopeful that he will be understood by the masses by kindergarten) ANWAY! This is all beside the point. His talk was on reverence. I wanted to keep the primary children's interest so I took a bunch of pictures of Henry and made them each an 8X10 for visual effect. I was not anticipating how freaking CUTE the pictures would turn out! How I love my little dapper man. This is all I will say. See the full talk below. Hilarity and cuteness ensues...


Sometimes I like to play and be loud!



























I like to wrestle with my daddy




























I like to swing on the swings with my sister




















It's fun to run and play!





























But sometimes we need to be reverent






























Like when we go to church on Sunday





























Or during family home evening






















We can be reverent by folding our arms




























And sitting quietly in our chairs





























When we are reverent we can hear the Holy Ghost whisper to our hearts























When we are reverent we make Heavenly Father and Jesus happy.






































I can be reverent when I need to. This in one way I choose the right.

Our Trip to Disneyland

(The kiddies with grandma. Too cute.)



Did you ever go somewhere for the summer? Like grandma's house or a cousin's house for a few weeks? Or a cabin or boat house? I'm talking not just a week long vacation. I'm talking spending some serious time away from home for the summer. Somewhere you consider to be like a second home. I did. Since I was a tiny little girl, my dad was the set designer for the Children's Miracle Network Telethon broadcasted live from Disneyland. This meant he would have to spend a week or so in Disneyland setting up, broadcasting the telethon, and taking it all down afterword. Of COURSE the whole family would join him for this particular business trip. After the telethon was finished, Daddy needed a full vacation too so we would tack on another week or ten days at Disneyland. We grew up a family from Utah with annual passes in our name each year and all those days in Anaheim were spent in the park. Later during the year my mom would get antsy and we would usually go back one or two more times for 3 or 4 days a visit. This meant we had plenty of time to lounge in the shade, take our time, and relax at Disneyland. Most families were running from line to line, eating on the go, and leaving the park sore and exhausted at the end of the day. Our experience was much different. We got to know every nook and cranny of Disneyland. We would pretend we were orphans that lived in New Orleans Square or runaways that lived on Tom Sawyer's Island. Most kids had grandma's tree house in the back yard as their play area for the summer. We had the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse to run through and cause mischief. Disneyland was our playground. It truly is my second home and it will always be where my heart is. It is so much more than a theme park to me. The smells, the sounds, and the beauty found there are a part of me. My sisters and I often tell people the Disneyland "calls to us". I'm sure they think we are crazy. But sometimes I will be in the kitchen doing the dishes and I will suddenly smell the vanilla on Main Street or hear the Swiss Polka that plays in line on the Matterhorn or see Snow White's wishing well next to the castle. I can practically feel the cobblestone under my feet!! This is Disneyland calling to me and it is a cruel and painful experience when our bank account is shouting back "Absolutely NOT!!" This is why I need to win the lottery.

We just returned from a five day vacation to Disneyland. Not NEARLY long enough for me (or my cute husband who TOTALLY understands the magic of Disneyland) but it was sufficient to feed the intense addiction for a little while. Some wonderful things happened there!

Wonderful thing #1. Finn learned how to drink from a straw at the Big Thunder Mountain Barbeque Ranch. YESSS!

Wonderful thing #2. I felt the very first flutter of sweet baby number 4 when it was startled by the fireworks. How cute and awesome is THAT?!! (By the way, I am pregnant)

Wonderful thing #3. Henry got picked to be in the Jedi Training show in Tomorrowland! Hilarious and tear jerking all at once. It was serious business as you will see in the pictures below.

Wonderful thing #4. We were ALL sick with a terrible stomach flu (or violent germs as Maggie would say) on the drive to Disneyland, but miraculously enjoyed perfect health through out the remainder of our trip!

Wonderful thing #5. Maggie pointed out to me how beautiful and charming the evening lighting is in Adventureland. My children are beginning to understand the importance of beauty and atmosphere!! It's not just about the rides to my FIVE year old! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree folks. (Of course it can't hurt that the larger apple constantly points out to the smaller apple that there is beauty all around them every day.)

So that was our trip. And thanks to Grandma, Grandpa, The Tim McDowells, "Unca" James, and our beloved Deakins, it was a trip these apples will never forget.

WARNING: There are 26 pictures following this post for your viewing pleasure. I know it's a lot but trust me, it's whittled down to the bare essentials as there were over 700 pictures to choose from. Also, please note the last picture, Buzz with Mickey ears copping a feel on the blue pixie. You love it.

Who do YOU love?

Daddy: "I love you, Henry."

Henry: (Pointing adamantly with Xbox controller in hand) "NO! I love YOU!!"

Daddy: "NO! I love YOU!!!"

Maggie: "You are just both loving each other and that's okay."

Henry: "It makes a heart and feels good. I love Mommy, Daddy, Maggie, Finn, and ME! (Still pointing wildly at each with Xbox controller). AND I love the t.v. AND the Xbox!!!"

Daddy: "Well, what good is the t.v. without the Xbox."

Sweet Smells Fill the Air...

I want you to guess what we have been up to the last few days here at the McDowell home. This lovely picture will give you a hint.

A. Trying out new spring time recipes! Mixing, baking, and singing primary songs in the kitchen with the children. It's been LOVELY!
B. Playing "Army Men" in the back yard using the bowls as helmets. Running through the new spring grass, taking in the new spring air. Laughing, rolling, frolicking, and the like. It's been HEAVENLY!
C. Violently ill. Sloppily laying about the house clinging to our vomit bowls. Rolling back and forth, moaning in our vile, pathetic state. No music, no laughter, no fresh air. Only matted, greasy hair, ill fitting pajamas, and a constant load of freshly vomit ridden bedding in the washer. It's been HELLACIOUS! (special thanks to Lehi Legacy Pool)

Okay, take your best guess! You get a PRIZE if you guess the correct answer! Good luck!

St. George Video

High School Sweethearts from Lilly McDowell on Vimeo.