Conference Weekend

So I'm a few weeks behind...

The first weekend in October is the semi-annual conference weekend for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I love conference weekend.  I love listening to the uplifting talks, getting together with family, hearing the choirs, and just relaxing. I really appreciated President Monson's talk during the Sunday Morning session about standing in holy places.  Conference is a wonderful time for me to evaluate what I am doing in my life both good and bad, and hear words of encouragement for the things I could do better.

I wasn't always fond of conference though.  I can remember times as a little kid sitting in the stake center watching the broadcast on a hard metal chair.  The chair was too big and my feet dangled.  I had to swing my legs to prevent them from losing circulation and then one of my parents would tell me to quit fidgeting.  Impossible! 

Now conference is available to watch online http://lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2011/10?lang=eng.  I can't remember what year they started doing this, but it is a wonderful thing for people with small children.  We catch part of conference with the children and listen or read the rest later.  8 hours is a lot for little ones!  Speaking of which, I still need to hear the Saturday morning session...

Matthew sewed while listening to the talks.  This year we promised M&M a treat if they could tell us three things they heard. Thus they were motivated to listen.

I think for next April I will build a tent in the living room and play conference bingo with M&M.  I bet they would like that.  

My lovely sister and oh so cute niece!

 Uncle Jeremy

This year Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Andrea joined us for dinner after conference.  Actually Andrea cooked the dinner and brought it to us.  She made lumpia and siopao- yep, she loves us!  I *slaved* away on the salad (but it was a good salad).  

Amusing Isaac during church

 

We had fun with the book of spiderman stickers. I'd stick one on his nose, or his foot, or my ear, and he'd howl with glee. This entertained both Isaac and the grandfatherly fellow behind us -- who leaned forward and whispered to me, "it's so hard to keep them quiet when there's another kid seated behind them"--for the whole meeting.

Drivers Ed

Drivers Ed
Originally uploaded by jbellis

Our church is next to a minor intersection. When Isaac gets bored of all his toys (which happens faster and faster), we go sit in the shade of the big tree on the corner and watch the cars go by.

Isaac likes being outside. He likes the breeze, and he likes the
constant motion of this particular scene.

The downside to 1:00 church

The downside to 1:00 church
Originally uploaded by jbellis

Or is it an upside? Melissa fell asleep on my lap.

Melissa gives a talk

Melissa gives a talk
Originally uploaded by jbellis

I took Matthew to the Primary room to practice his talk. Melissa
tagged along. When Matthew was done, she wanted a turn. She got up and gave a talk about her family.