The Tour 2011--Stage Five through SLC and then home

On our last day with our family, those that remained went to Temple Square.  This was a real dream come true for J who has been reading about each part of Temple Square on the Friend website.  I handed him the camera for part of the time and I'll have to post his shots sometime soon.  For now, here's what we saw as we made our way through the grounds and visitors centers.

I have such happy memories of visiting Temple Square as a child.  I always leave feeling like I've learned something precious.

But it was naptime and the troops started to get a little worn out so not everyone was treasuring what they were reading and seeing and hearing.  We're thankful for all the benches.

 J didn't need a bench since he had Nana to hang on.

Mom and Dad treated my sisters and I and our families to a birthday lunch at the Lion House.  I had never been there before--it's perfect, a quintessential Mormon buffet and not to be missed again.  Their world famous rolls are as good as they are hyped up to be. 

 Yay for me!  I'm thirty-three!  The following day was actually my real birthday and I had already had loads of chocolate cake in Heber (thank you, Denise) so I most definitely got in a full birthday celebration.

Before leaving we went to the Conference Center next to the Temple.  It is huge and our tour guide Barbara gave a kid-friendly tour through its galleries and seating areas and across the top courtyards.  I really enjoyed all the gospel art, the architectural features, and the native meadow garden on the rooftop.  A even did a little dance during a soundcheck in the main conference area.

After one last evening with family and friends, we spent all day and then a night and then a morning flying home.  Well, we spent the night in Atlanta at a hotel waiting for the morning flight to Charlottesville after our night flight was canceled.  We made it home happy.

I should have said at the beginning of these posts that we are full of gratitude for everyone who made our time in Utah and Idaho great--especially our parents  Our family and our friends were our favorite sights to see and the best times were the times with them.  If we ever make this trip again it will be hard to top this one.