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Hi Everyone!! Guess what?? We drove to Canada today!! Yep, it’s true. There’s a new temple in Canada that the Prophet hasn’t blessed, yet, so we wanted to visit it!! So this morning, we hopped in the car and took off…

“I’m tired. May I nap now?”
Poor Scooters started the trip ready for his morning nap.

And I started the trip enjoying some of my train books.

While Mommy started the trip enjoying my bare toes.

And the beautiful outskirts of our city.

Awww! It wasn’t long before Scooters drifted off.

And I decided to join him. :)

Mommy and Daddy enjoyed the peaceful tranquility of children sleeping and gorgeous trees.
—
The Border:

When we got to the border, we realized we were going to be there for a loooong while. The Mormons were storming Canada and Canada wasn’t prepared.

But that’s okay, because I got to drink a Caprisun!

And we saw the Peace Arch! It means that Canadians and Americans are friends. I’m so glad!

But we weren’t glad that there were a million Mormons trying to get across the border and only three lanes open.

So we jumped ship while Mommy kept our spot in line.

“Wook! A Peace Arch! I wike Canada!”

While she was in line, Mommy remembered why she doesn’t like to drive in Canada.

And I pushed Scooty-tooty in his stroller!

“Hi, Mommy! Are you still in line?”

“Okay, we’ll come back later!”

Then we saw a PASSENGER train ZOOM by on the tracks behind us. It was awesome!

And Mommy was still in line, so we wandered some more.

But then she moved! And saw signs!

So we ran back and joined her.
But then we still had to wait.

So Scooters played with his socks!!!

Hee, hee! He loves his socks!

**Fiercely intense chomp**

And Mommy broke out her secret weapon.

I love Mommy’s secret weapons.

And then!! We were next in line!! And then!! We were in Canada!!
—
The Temple:

Guess what!?!

We’re here!!!

We’re at the temple!! And I get to go inside!!!
But first, we needed to find a place to park and walk back.

Oooohhhh, isn’t it beautiful!
I wanted to go inside right away, but first we waited for our turn to join a tour group and watch an introductory video about temples and the history of Mormons in the surrounding cities.

Then our group got in line to enter the temple! And we saw lots of people we’ve known from all the places we’ve lived–it was like one big Mormon reunion!!

And some of them totally saved Scooty-tooty’s tired bacon from getting fried as we waited in long lines (there were thousands and thousands of visitors!).

They actually LET him pull their hair and then LAUGHED!!! Mommy’s scalp cringed just watching, but since her baby was happy and they were happy, she was happy, too!

And I got to eat a GOGURT! So I was happy, too.

But then. My food ran out. And I wanted to be a train and chug. But I couldn’t!

So Mommy and I jumped ship and chugged around while Daddy kept a spot in line.
AND THEN!!!

It was our turn! And I got to go inside!! And it was so beautiful!

I saw the baptismal font–where I’ll get to serve when I turn 12 years old.

And a sealing room–just like where Mommy and Daddy were married.

And an ordinance room–just like where Mommy and Daddy go to learn about God and the purpose of life. (When Mommy showed me the altar, I asked, “Where’s the sacrifice?”) :)

And the beautiful, incomparable Celestial Room.
The room that represents what heaven will be like after this life. A heaven with God and Jesus Christ. And our families.
And being in that room all together as a family was a small glimpse of what it might be like to have our family for eternity.

Because that’s what temples are all about.

With gorgeous weather and no school for Daddy (hooray!), we tackled today with vigor!

Daddy broke in the newest roto-tilling member of our family. (Thank you, Dad, for the recommendation! You’re right–this makes things so much easier!)

Then Bubbers paved the way for our next step…

… Steer manure! (Thanks for this recommendation, too, Dad!)
“Mommy?” Bubbers asked, “Is cow poo-poos awive? Does it move?”
Then he ran off and grabbed one of his favorite tools.

“Wook, Daddy! I’m measuring you!”

“Wow! You’re so tall, Bubbers!!”

“Wook at this, Mommy!!”

“Daddy says it’s a chunky monkey! Just wike Scooters!”
After that, we took advantage of the weather and went to…

… the zoo!!!
We had to wait in a very long line, because everyone else in the city had the same idea. :)

But look!!! The first blooms of….. winter?

The glorious sunshine brought out all the animals– the flamingos, zebras, gazelles, ostriches, giraffes, tapirs, wild dogs and sloth bears…

… And a sweet sleeping Scooters!

But the most beloved exhibit of all was that of …

… The hippos!

**Awed silence**

**Awed sleeping**

And a hippo to call your very own!

“Wook, Mommy! My very own hippo!!”

Then someone woke up!

**Glazed stare into the camera**

**Glazed stare at Mommy**

Oh, look!

I see movement!!

And the glimmer of… of…

… A smile!!

Welcome back, Scooters!!!

Then Bubbers took in a second helping of the hippos.

And Mommy took in a second helping of how cute her husband and son looked together.

Then took advantage of a conscious Scooters,

To introduce him to the wilds of Africa.

Then we moved on to the king and queen of the jungle.

And the Komodo dragons! Bubbers was very entranced.

And after the elephant barn, he took a ride on baby Dumbo!

“Wook! A baby Dumbo of my very own!”

What a great day! We worked, we played, we walked in the sunshine!

And we enjoyed the beautiful view. Life doesn’t get much better than this!
—-
p.s. We didn’t get a picture, but Scooters’ favorite exhibit was the penguins. The cute little birds swam right up to the glass just at his level and he watched them swim and dive with great fascination!

Hi Everyone! Guess what?? We made egg salad sandwiches today for lunch and boy do I love those!

And if you don’t mind, I’d love to show you how I help make them.

Oh! And if I look paler than usual, it’s because I’ve been under the weather, but hopefully I’ll be on the mend soon…
Okay! Now who wants to help Mommy??!!

I…

dooooooooooo!!

So, first!

Mommy hands me an egg.

Thanks, Mommy!

(Howy mackerew! Wook at those cute wittow fingers!!)

Hooray! Now, if only I could eat you now. But Mommy says no.

Isn’t that right, Mommy?
[Yep, it is!]

Aww, hi there wittow egg! I’m gonna swice you and eat you, okay?

Okay!

But don’t worry.

I’m very careful.

After that, Mommy takes it and turns it.

Is everybody catching all this?

You are? Good!

Because then Mommy gives it back to me!

For more slicing!

Whoo-wee! Would you wook at that! I think it’s time…

For a taste test!

Or two.

Or three.

Or twenty!

Oh man, this is the life.

Uh-oh…

Whatzat?

Are you trying to take my egg??

Noooo, Mommy!!

Well, folks.

As far as I’m concerned…

My story is finished!

So, thanks for joining us!

And don’t forget to bless it!

With a yawn. :)