weekend with the brysons

it's getting harder and harder to get the family together, but thankfully big events keep happening so we are forced to make it happen. this event was a combination of a nephew's endowment, a sister's sealing, and a niece's baby blessing. friday we made the hour trip up north to bountiful to meet with family coming from all over, including the parents from texas. we dropped the kids off to be babysat by cousins and headed to the bountiful temple. my nephew sam, along with my brother-in-law mat were both taking their endowments out. i couldn't help but think about my first time and how strange it all seemed. but as the years have passed, i have been struck time and time again by the powerful symbolism of the temple and the love our Heavenly Father and Savior have for us. it was a beautiful moment to be surrounded by family in the temple of the Lord.

we headed to the hotel to get some sleep. the next morning, the bryson boys headed off to play some football for a few hours before getting back for the sealing that afternoon. in all the rush, i ended up forgetting my recommend in the hotel. unfortunately we didn't realize this til we were standing at the front desk. thankfully the temple workers went in the back and were able to contact someone (or i just have a very trusting face) and they came back out and said we were good to go in. we rushed in and barely made it. my sister mandie was then sealed to her husband mat for all time and eternity. they then were able to be sealed to their newest baby. afterwards amber did her thing and took some beautiful family pictures outside the temple for my sis and new bro. from there we picked up the kids and all headed out to eat and enjoyed some yummy food together. 

the next day we had to pack our things and make it up north to ogden for 9:00 church. it was a rush, but we made it just in time. my brother kyle then blessed the newest addition to our family, his beautiful baby girl. from there we headed to kyle and courtney's house for some good food and some more picture taking. after playing for a while, we headed over to my aunt's house for dinner before having to say goodbye for the night and head home. we love these moments so much and are so grateful to be making such sweet memories. family really is everything. well the fun times continued, but in another blog.