October Conference!!

Conference time again! It seems like time passes more quickly in between every six months. We were lucky to get to come this time since Ammon, of course, had to stay and work. But, my dad, mom, Chris and I all got to go up because Chris got off work. My dad had made reservations for the Sheraton for a steal of a deal and when we arrived, they had messed up our room. So, they gave us this great suite with a bathtub in the room and a connecting room where everyone could have their own bed. It was a great roomy area for a kid who had to stay and "watch" four sessions of conference!

So many sleeping-in-the-car-pictures

"Big bath" he'd call it.

I wonder who'd been playing here. How weird!

Our seating area. My mom and dad's bed was in the one side of the room and we watched it mostly on this TV. Scratch that. We had three TVs all watching the same thing!

My dad got to watch some of it on his computer too.

Has always loved playing on beds.

Saturday morning we ordered room service and ate our breakfast watching conference. Matthew loved LOVED to lead the music. It's funny because I remember Amelia always loving to do the same thing when she was younger at conference. Every time they sang, which is a ton obviously, Matthew loved to lead.

That night, we met Joanna and went to Gateway. Years back I remember going to the ZCMI Center and to Crossroads, buying a Berenstain Bears book through the crowds at Deseret Book, seeing my mom get a rose for "Ladies' Night," meeting the Ponds and Yarbroughs to go to the Lion House to eat. It's similar now, but so different. We don't buy a lot, if anything the night while all the guys are the Priesthood session, and hardly none of the "kids" come to dinner anymore. The Yarbroughs come alone a lot of the time and the Ponds have children all over the country so not all of them can come either. Shaun and Sloan hardly ever come at all, so it is nice to know that Chris and I have gone has much as possible. I figured I've only missed about four or five times my whole life. It is so nice to get to have this wonderful tradition in our family and I love that Joanna has picked up on it too. It is great getting to see her everytime I go up there! And Matthew loves her too.

Chris, Joanna, Matt and I eating at our traditional table.

All the grown-ups. I think it is SO cool thinking they were all on a mission together. My mom and dad got to go to President Merrill's 90th birthday this summer and I can be a witness to say that he was a great mission president. It says something if your dad is STILL talking and remembering things his mission president says all those thirty years ago. He had some good missionaries in the Houston mission and I'm glad that my dad has continued seeing Jeff and Tally.

My blond child

My best friend forever. So cliche, but so true. Love Joanna more than she knows.

It was so cool because Jared Pond drove ALL THE WAY from Texas for this conference. Their little girl was about nine months younger than Matthew and he just loved her. He would hug and kiss her and we figured they could continue the tradition years down the road!

Our great room.

Leading the music more on Sunday morning.

By the way, how great was the Sunday morning session? And how great is President Packer?! I really gained a strong testimony of President Monson this conference and I really needed that. I am so grateful for a prophet that can lead our church. And I always love Elder Bednar's talks.

In between Sunday sessions, my dad got a bath going for Matthew and he absolutely loved it!

I've never even been in a tub this big.

We packed up and while we got our things ready, Matthew waited at the door with his suitcase wondering why we took so long. We got home pretty late Sunday after eating at Chuck-a-Rama in Provo, but I have to say it was a great trip and I love getting to go and feel of the conference spirit. I get a reassurance of my testimony every six months.