Dani's 8th Birthday Utah Trip

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Years ago, I heard a talk about establishing righteous traditions for your children. Out of that talk, arose this tradition....

Each daughter gets to go on a trip to Utah to see our church semi-annual General Conference closest to their eighth birthday with Mom and Dad. This year was Dani's turn. She turned eight in February and got to go on her conference trip for April General Conference. The girls get to go again when they turn 12 but that trip is a Mommy daughter trip.

Because the older girls tell the younger girls about their trips, we can't get away with skipping any steps. Believe me, I've tried. So, the trip must include:

• Flying on an airplane to Utah
• A room at "The Little America" hotel
• Tours of temple square
• At least one meal at the Lion House
• A new set of scriptures (w/your name engraved) and a CTR ring from Deseret Book
• Swimming at the hotel pool
• A late night snack in the hotel's restaurant
• Lots and lots of treats
• Getting your ears pierced at the mall (although Dani chickened out at the last minute and opted for clip-on earrings)
• Eating at 'The Garden' on top of the Joseph Smith building
• Pretty much being queen for the weekend
• Getting to order drinks with your dinner (a big deal in our family)
• Going to two sessions of conference and being in the same room as a living Prophet of God. Yes, seriously cool.

Waiting to take off.

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Dani insisted on pulling her suitcase AND mine. Being the sensitive and tender hearted little thing that she is, she's always very concerned about me hurting my back.

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One of the special parts of the trip is going to pick out a CTR (choose the right) ring. Here, she's getting Grandma's advice to see what she thinks about this CTR ring.
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While our family back at home was enjoying an earthquake, we met up with cousins Brady and Connor on temple square.

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Lunch in between conference sessions at Nauvoo Cafe.
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Riding the "trax" to the conference center sporting her new "dangly" clip-on earrings.
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Lounging on the bed at our hotel.

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Catching a little shut eye while we watched the last session at the hotel.
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I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture. Father and Daugther walking hand in hand with their scriptures. It doesn't get any better.
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Dani with her Nana who was also in town for conference.
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This is Utah's idea of Spring. Honestly! We froze our buns off.

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An awesome trip with our sweet little Dani Bear. We love you Dani.