But regardless of the freezing weather, we always get that warm, loving feeling when we go to Stanley because we get to visit family that we love: Josh's aunt, uncle, and the "big" cousins (because they're all older & much taller than my boys!). Their family owns a motel/gas station/country store, and it's fun to sleep in one of their nice hotel rooms and play in their large and spacious home behind the store.About 5 years ago, Josh's dad started a tradition for the Tolman family to speak in the Stanley branch on the last Sunday of each year. The branch is in the Salmon LDS Stake, even though it is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Salmon. Because of the remoteness of the area that we live in, traveling from one end of the stake boundaries to the opposite end takes 4 hours!
This year, Josh and I both spoke (this was my first time doing so). The boys sang "I am a Child of God" while I did the sign language for it, and Josh accompanied on the piano. Great Grandma Tolman, Grandma and Grandpa T., Uncle Tim, and cousin Andrew also came that day! We had a wonderful visit after church with everyone.
Every winter, we look forward to going, and this year's trip was my favorite yet! As the children get older, the overnight trip is more of a vacation and less work! I enjoy spending time talking with Aunt Janet, Josh appreciates the opportunity to relax, and the boys love playing with their fun "big" cousins!
These were our favorites from this year's trip:
"playing the wii with the cousins" - Ammon
(this photo was taken at Weaton's missionary farewell in April 2008)"playing hide and seek with the cousins" - Jonah
(do you see the boys playing behind the legs? There are actually 8 people in this photo!!)"playing with the cousins' choo-choo trains" - Micah
(they played for hours and hours with all of Aaron's trains!)"playing choo choos and tractors" - Kanyon
(they had so much fun with Orson while playing with Eric's large toy tractors)"good conversation" - Josh
(this is always how the Tolman men chat--standing in a semi-circle, staring at the floor!)"spending quality time with family" - Kala
(Isn't that giant tree so beautiful?! Thanks Aunt Janet for your fabulous hospitality and good company!)
3 comments:
I know what you mean about Stanley. That's one thing I miss about being in the stake. It was fun being able to travel up there and go to church. I would just like to go in the summer sometime now.
love the cabin! it looks so rustic and cool. the perfect place to spend the christmas holiay.
Love how the Tolman men chat. They look so serious!
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