Stake Conference in Colorado

This last weekend has been a special one for my family. Taylor, Isaac and I flew out to Colorado from Idaho on Saturday for Stake Conference. My dad, who has been in the stake presidency for the past 12 years, was released today. It was a day...a remarkable, spiritual day. Well, it started last night at the adult session and continued today. (Which, I should also note--last night at the adult session, we thought it would be better for Taylor and I to get the full feeling of the meeting if we could get a babysitter for Isaac...so we did and it was the first time I've left Isaac with an actual young babysitter--that I didn't even know, I might add!! Given the circumstances, I think I did remarkably well! I held my purse next to me on my lap all night in case the babysitter called so I could feel the phone vibrate...but she was a really sweet and nice gal. Even though Taylor made fun of me for holding my purse all night...it did go well!)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was the Presiding Officer for the conference, and Elder Carlos Godoy of the First Quorum of Seventy was also in attendance. Elder Holland stayed at the Stake President's home, and Elder Godoy stayed at my parents house. What an experience it was to sit at his feet and listen to him!! Elder Godoy is from Brazil--so Taylor was especially loving it because they spoke to each other in Portuguese--it was so awesome to watch Taylor interact with him!

Here are a few pictures...here we are in the airport waiting to leave...I LOVE this picture!!!

Isaac did SO good on the plane--I was pretty worried about how his ears would handle it because he did NOT want anything to do with his bottle. But, he was a gem!

How neat, huh!??


These pictures were taken between the morning and afternoon session of conference today. Because the stake is so big, they have to break it up into two sessions, so the Stake Relief Society provided lunch for the old and new stake presidencies and their families between the sessions. Elder Holland was AWESOME. What a genuine, personable, caring man. It was SO neat to have him here. We got some real special time with him--it was just neat, I don't think words can even describe how neat and special it was. And how lucky Isaac is to have a picture with a General Authority!

It was definitely an emotional day for our family. My dad has been such a wonderful teacher and example to me...I can't even begin to describe how I have been blessed through his service in the stake presidency. I saw him in many leadership roles and many capacities that have taught me so much. I know that he has grown from his service, and that in turn has helped me to grow.

It is really weird to think that he has been released after being in for so long...my entire teen years he was on the stand--and now he can actually sit with us...it's a new thought! I love my dad. He is the best dad I could ask for. I am so happy and proud to call him my dad! And I am especially grateful that we could be here to show our support to him.

Here are some fun, cute pictures we took tonight--Isaac is truly the joy of our lives!
I just love this next picture!!

Precious!