Conference Weekend

Conference this weekend was amazing.  All the talks were so inspired, but there was one in particular that felt as though it were meant just for me.  Ever had that feeling?  Several years ago I had a teacher who taught that in preparation for conference, to get the most out, pray and ponder about something specific that has been troubling (or something you have been struggling with) you.  You will be answered in Conference.

Ever since, I have been doing so, and it has never failed to work.  In fact, this conference, my answer came through multiple talks given.  Interestingly enough, I received answers even outside of the conference talks themselves.  It is amazing how the Lord will hear and answer you.  I hope that I came out of this conference a little better and a little kinder.  I know that I was spiritually nourished.

Conference was a little different this year due to our situation with Kai.  Friday, Dad and Emily came in and spent the weekend with us.  On Saturday, J stayed home with the kids while the rest of us went up to temple square.  Zuri stayed home because we had tickets to the morning session and they don't allow children under 8 in the Conference Center.  For the first weekend in years, we had beautiful weather both days. 

Sunday, my mom and sister, Breanna, came and watched Kai all day while we all went back up to temple square.  Even though we had tickets again, a few of us elected to sit out so Zuri could come with us.

Dad and Emily left early this afternoon.  It was hard to see them go.  Zuri really missed Emily.  She was attached to her all weekend.  It was the cutest thing.  Zuri is starting to get so grown up--she is getting out of her nickname phase.  She used to call Emily, Emmie, and my dad, Papa, but now it is Emily and Grandpa.  Emily kept trying to get her to call her Emmie, but she kept reverting back to Emily.

This post has lots of pictures!  I took so many pictures over the weekend that it was hard to narrow down my favorites.  Enjoy!




I love all the flowers they have on temple square.  It is always so beautiful that I have to stop and get a picture!

Guess who else likes the flowers?  

Zuri had to stop and smell each little section whenever we walked by.  


When we first arrived, Zuri kept staring up at the Assembly Hall and calling it a castle.  She was also fascinated with the fountain next to the Assembly Hall, and she and Emily spent quite a bit of time playing in the fountain.

 
Maybe a little too much time, because she ended up slipping and falling in!  Luckily, it was at the end of the day, after the last session of Conference and she was okay.  Not even a scratch, just a little scared by the incident!  While being comforted, she finally gave into her fatigue and fell asleep.
 
(Little Side Note:  Pay no attention to the old lady with the hair--oh, wait, that is Emily...lol!  Yep, she got an old lady haircut.  Had to make fun of it all weekend.  Poor Em!  Go figure that the one time she allows pictures to be taken, she had a bad haircut.  Don't worry, Em, it will grow!)

The fountain wasn't the only thing Zuri had fun playing with Sunday.

She enjoyed showing Jori and Austin "her" ipad.

Of course, she had to play it with Emily as well.

We had some mother-daughter time as well, but...most of her time was spent with Emily.

Funny thing about this picture is that one of Zuri's favorite games to play with Emily is to put her necklace in her mouth.  We have pictures last year from Georgia of Zuri doing the same thing.

Zuri also had to imitate Emily.  Whenever Emily would take a drink, Zuri would take one as well.  :-)  Nope, she didn't miss Emily at all. ;-)

We took some family pictures.

Sadly enough, this was the best one.  Zuri wasn't cooperating at all.  I actually like how the front row is all looking forward, and in the back row everyone is focused on Zuri.  Not sure why my great Uncle Francis is standing so far off to the side.  We get everyone all looking at the camera and together in another shot, but then there are a few people who blinked.  It is hard to get a good picture of everyone!

Trying to get Zuri to cooperate.  I laughed so hard at Emily's cheesy smile!

Emily, Shin, Heather, and me.  Funny look on Shin's face!

I love that Emily and Shin are messing around.  I had originally cut this picture from my list but J said he thinks it is a great picture and though it should be included--so I have added it in!


I thought this was a nice side profile picture of my dad!


Love-love this one of J and me!


We made pizza for dinner on Sunday, and during dinner, Zuri was starting to get ornery.  She has this thing where she points at you when she gets upset and says "you!"  She hasn't done it in several months, but she started the pointing thing and Dad turned it into a game.  He was pretending to "duel" (like in Harry Potter) with Zuri.  She loved it--and got her out of her little funk!


Saturday night Zuri refused to let me anywhere near her for bedtime--it was all about Emily.  In fact, I went into her bedroom to put something away and she kept telling me to get out because Emily was going to read her a story.  It was so funny that she had us in tears.  She even wiped the tears from Emily's cheek and told her that it is okay, not to cry.  She is such a little character!


This morning Dad and Emily spent a little extra time with us before they left to go back to California.  Zuri took advantage of the extra time to create a new game--have Emily drag her down the hall on a blanket like a sled!  She loved it--it wore Emily out!

It was a great weekend and we will miss Dad and Emily.  It was nice to have them here.  It might not be until Conference in April before we get to see Dad again.  Although we should be able to see Emily one more time before she takes off for Japan in March!