On the road again

After a fantastic week in Utah we're on the road again.  Our first stop was the home of Paul and Krista in Colorado Springs, where we filled our tummies with Krista's delicious chicken pot pie and talked for hours.  We also had fun playing with their darling little daughter, Hailey.

Now we're off to our exciting New Years Eve destination:  Amarillo, Texas

Home, Sweet Home

 I had to scrape a few inches of snow off the car before we could depart Flagstaff...

 …and four hours later we were in sunny Las Vegas.

 That's the backdrop of the Las Vegas temple.

 We finally made it back to Utah!  Friday night we met Sam's family in St. George and we visited Tuacahn to check out their Christmas lights/activities.

 What an awesome family!

 The live Nativity at Tuacahn.  Short and sweet.

 We also had fun cheering for Spencer and the rest of the Mustangs during a basketball tournament in St. George.

 Yes Sir, the vehicle needs a bit of maintenance after 5,107 miles in two weeks.  Our bodies need some maintenance!  We'll take a week off to think about our Lord and Savior during our Christmas activities, spend lots of time with family, eat lots of food, rest, and then drive back across the country.

This is the route we took.

 Tonight we continued to celebrate Sam's birthday (she turned 25 yesterday).

This is just a random, cute photo of the three little guys (one improvising to find a place to sit and eat his ice cream), with Dan giving Ari some advice about money.

Land of Enchantment

I don't think I would use the word "enchanting" to describe much of New Mexico, but there are most certainly some enchanting places and people there.

 Our first stop after leaving Texas.  This sign is approximately seven miles away from the actual caverns.

 Look at me!  I'm a Ranger!

 Sam too!

 Descending into the depths of the earth

 My camera cannot possibly convey the awesomeness that are the Carlsbad Caverns.  Sam and I walked around the caverns for three hours……..and now, a day later, our glutei maximi (the internet tells me that is the plural of gluteus maximus) are protesting.

 Behold, the awesomeness.

 Back in the daylight, I asked an Asian couple if they would take our picture next to the Carlsbad Caverns sign (the one right on top of the caverns).  However, because the sun was shining directly into our faces, I suggested to Sam that we simply close our eyes for the photo in order to avoid squinting.

 This was our first attempt...

 …and this was the second attempt.  Immediately after snapping the photo, the Asian woman said (with that fun Asian accent), "Okaaay, you can open your eyes now."

 After turning our legs into jelly walking through the caverns, we went to visit the Bell family in Weed, New Mexico.  Last night we boosted the population of Weed to 22 (or 23 if we're counting the baby).  The main reason I like this picture is because it appears that Sam is about to be struck my lightning.

 And what hosts they were!  Good food and great conversation.  Twas a short visit, but a very nice one.

 They showed us around the ranch...

 …and I finally got to meet Donkey!

 Don't bite me, Donkey!  He (she?) was trying to get the snack in my hand.

 From Weed we drove north to Albuquerque to visit the temple.

 Then we drove straight over to the Snowflake temple.

 We stopped in Flagstaff for the night because it's snowing pretty hard.  Can you believe it?!  After two weeks of travel during the month of December, this is our first encounter with serious weather.  The Lord has blessed us.

Before retiring for the night I received another pre-Christmas gift from my amazing wife.

One response to our question about Mormons:

Elizabeth - Park Ranger at Carlsbad Caverns: "They don't drink coffee."

Texas…….no, wait………TEXAS

 We began our week in Texas with a visit to the Houston Temple.  We met a brother inside the temple who, after finding out my last name, asked, "Is your father Kelly Ogden?"  When I replied in the affirmative he said, "Your brother was in our ward here for a while."  Tis a small world.

 We decided to do some sealings at the Houston Temple.  We were warned months ago that sealings can be somewhat precarious for pregnant women.  Sam got to find out why that is the case.  However, she didn't let a momentary loss of consciousness slow her down a bit!

 They say that everything is bigger in Texas.  I can say that includes the hearts of Sam's relatives, who were very hospitable to us during our short time in the Lone Star State.  Here we are at El Gringo (Mexican food) with (left to right) Wilma (Aunt Lola's friend…..and now ours too!), Amanda (Aunt Beverly's daughter), Samantha (Amanda's daughter), (Great) Aunt Beverly, (Great) Aunt Lola, and Sam.

 After spending a fun night in Houston we drove over to (Great) Aunt Lola's place in Yoakum.

 Aunt Lola's house at the ranch in Yoakum

 Aunt Lola and Sam discussing genealogy

 The tree Aunt Lola used to play under…….I think she still plays there.

 Mmmm, the cows get huge blocks of chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

 "Ladies, that crazy human is about to lick our salt."

 Hey Doug, do you remember 809 Cadwell Street?

 I usually like to arrive at a new temple (one that I have not previously visited) during the day in order to take pictures, but I'm really glad we arrived at the San Antonio Temple at night.  It is one of the most beautiful temples I've seen.  Sam and I had to walk through bushes to get this picture.  Why do they block me from getting to my sign?!

 Oh, that stained glass!

Remember what I said about the small world?  Inside the San Antonio Temple I met a guy with whom (Is that correct grammar, Mom?  With whom?) I served in the National Guard 10 years ago.

 Aunt Roxie!  Another one of Sam's fabulous Great Aunts.  I was thrilled when I found out that Lola and Roxie are big fans of Rumikub.  We probably spent six hours over three different days trying to best each other.  What a hoot!

 On Saturday, I left Sam in San Antonio and drove to the Dallas Temple.  Perhaps it would be better said that Sam made the wiser decision to have mercy on her rear end by avoiding another 8-9 hours in the car.

One of my early Christmas presents from Sam, which I was allowed to open upon my arrival in Dallas.  Isn't she wonderful!

Santa Claus attended church with us on Sunday………and he led the music too!  I wouldn't normally take pictures during Sacrament Meeting, but I couldn't pass up this Kodak moment.

 Aunt Lola, Lorenzo, and Kerry took us on the river walk Sunday evening.  Beautiful!

Aunt Lola, Sam, Daniel, Kerry, and Lorenzo

 We visited the Alamo on Monday morning

 Davyyyyyy……Daaaaaavy Crockett…..king of the wild frontier.  Remember that old TV show?

 Davy Crockett's wife?

We had lunch at Schilo's (pronounced "She-lows"), a German deli in San Antonio.  I had the split-pea soup and German potato pancakes with apple sauce.  Sam's pregnancy stomach told her to go with the chicken-salad sandwich.  We both drank the delicious homemade root beer.

 We started our week in Texas with the temple, so it's only fitting that we end this Texas experience with a visit to another temple.  What a great week!

The quote of the week goes to 79-year-old Aunt Roxie: "I've got a crush on [Fox News host] Bret Baier."

A few responses to our question, "What is one thing you know about Mormons?":

Charlene - Concierge at Wyndam Garden - Baton Rouge, LA:  Hesitation……..more hesitation……[laughing] "I'm speechless.  I'm sorry, you guys caught me off guard.  I wasn't expecting that question."

Cynthia - setting out bags of taffy at a country store near Yoakum, TX: "I don't know much.  They have their own book and their own beliefs.  I don't judge them.  We all believe in God.  You can't take your name tag with you when you die.  You won't be Mormon, Catholic, Protestant, or Evangelical."

Melissa - Concierge at La Quinta - Hillsboro, TX: "Many stars, moons, and wives.  Am I right?  I dated a Mormon once, but I can't do the many wives thing."

Security guard at the federal courthouse and post office - San Antonio, TX: "I used to live in Utah.  Frigid winters."

Cashier at United Supermarket in Lubbock, TX: "They're strict."