Mark's Video: "Walking Around the Temple"

Baton Rouge Road Trip

The closest temple to our home is in Baton Rouge. Since it's a 3+ hour drive, we turned last weekend's trip into a little family vacation.

A forgotten tripod and a capricious camera foiled our attempts at a great family picture, but we're thankful for the shots that did turn out. Hyrum's tired/bored expression belies the fact that he really did have a good time at the temple. : )

I love to visit college campuses, so LSU was at the top of my "Cool Places to See in Baton Rouge" list. Thanks, Mark, for staying in the car with the napping girls while Hyrum and I explored. We were delighted to discover Mike VI, LSU's living mascot. Here's Mike taking a nap in his lovely, spacious habitat. Geaux Tigers!


Here's my favorite little tiger, Hyrum, posing with Mike's replica.


We stumbled upon Mary Lee Do-Nuts, voted best doughnuts in Baton Rouge.


Ruthie, Mark and Hyrum enjoyed swimming in the hotel pool.

College Cookies

Yesterday, I realized that June 10 marks the 17th Anniversary of my first day of college. So I said to the kids, "Tomorrow is an important day. We need to go to the commissary and get some college cookies."

Several weeks ago, we were in the cookie aisle because the kids had earned a treat. The most economical of the kid-nominated candidates happened to be Keebler Frosted Animal Cookies. I couldn't resist the urge to tell them a story.

"Guys, did you know that these are college cookies, and if you eat them, they'll make you smart so you can go to college. Ya wanna know why? When I used to work at the student center at Ricks College, I used stop at the information desk and buy little packets of these pink and white cookies for a quarter. They were so yummy. They helped me be smart so I could do good in school. Are you guys going to college?"

"Yes!"

"Then have some cookies to make you smart."

We had a ball munching pink and white cookies in the car on the way home this morning. We talked, again, about where they want to go to school and what they want to major in. Hyrum wants to do pre-med at BYU. Ruthie wants to do what Hyrum does, so she's also planning pre-med at the Y. Lily must be undecided, since she just looked blank when we asked her. She smiled when we asked if she wanted another cookie.

Hmmm . . . if I ever go to grad school, I'll have to order a case of these little treats.