Labor Day in Phoenix

My parents wanted to go to a football game in Phoenix over Labor Day weekend, so they bought tickets to the game and then invited Diane and me to come along since Daniel and Tyisa live in Phoenix as well. We got there late on Friday and Daniel, Tyisa, and Danny came to our hotel and hung out for a few hours before bed. The next day, we went to do some work at the Mesa Temple. This temple is special to us because it's where Grandma and Grandpa Merrell were married. All of us had been there, except Diane, so it was an especially cool experience for her.

 

Later, when Daniel got off of work, they came over to our hotel room again and we all walked over to Denny's for lunch. Danny got a cute O (from the movie Home) cup. He was adorable wearing the ears! After lunch, my parents and sister went to the game and Daniel's family and I stayed in the room a bit longer before going to the Phoenix Zoo-Aquarium. Since it was late in the evening, ticket prices were reduced, so I got a cheap ticket and Daniel and family have annual passes.

Danny in his "O' ears!

Danny and Auntie Di at Denny's!

Danny and me at the aquarium!

Danny wore his ears to the zoo!

Hanging out with the penguins!

Turtles!

I got to feed the rays! I have always wanted to do this and I was SO excited!

The next day was Sunday so we found a place where we could attend Sacrament Meeting and then went back to the room for a bit. Daniel had to work, so Daniel, Tyisa, and Danny joined us when he got off. This was a rough day as there were some unexpected twists and turns, but life goes on. In the evening, I decided I wanted to see the Phoenix Temple all lit up, so Mom, Danny, and I went to see it. We felt like we were kind of in the middle of nowhere at the top of some hills and had decided that if we didn't run back into civilization soon, that we were probably lost and would turn back. Just after we had that conversation, we drove around a bend and there it was! It was absolutely gorgeous!  Certainly, a light in the darkness! It was one of the most majestic sights I had ever seen. The Phoenix Temple is definitely beautiful! These pictures in front of it are pretty, but are nothing in comparison to the view from up above the temple as we turned the corner.

The next day was Labor Day and Daniel had to work, but we picked Tyisa and Danny up and went to see the new version of Pete's Dragon. After that, we went to lunch and then met Daniel at the hospital as he was getting off work. We left Danny, Tyisa, and Diane with him since they would be taking Diane to the airport a bit later, and then we started our trek home! It was a nice weekend getaway and a fun way to spend the first holiday of the school year. As always, it was nice to spend time with my family!