Oakland Temple

We attended sacrament meeting at Brent's home ward where his father is currently serving as Bishop. It was interesting, to say the least. The two main speakers were dressed like pioneers as their topic was on family history. 

There's something you don't see every day!

If you've ever wondered why Sydney can get so fussy during church, this video Brent took when he'd taken her to the foyer might shed some light:

She needs to dance!

Afterwards, we got to say hi to this sweet lady and give her a hug.

Her name is Joanne Silver and for our wedding gift, she gave us a crisp $5 ripped it in two- one half for me, and one half for Brent. She explained as long as we stay together, we will always have a little something. I loved that concept so much, I had our $5 framed. Brent pointed out the cost of the framing was many times the value of the ripped $5 inside! However, it's my favorite wedding gift and guests almost always ask about it when they visit our home.

We left church right after sacrament to have family photos at the Oakland Temple.

The whole clan.

Grandma and Grandpa Wuehler with siblings.

Grandparents with grandchildren.

Everyone dispersed after the photos but we hung around on those beautiful grounds for a bit longer, soaking up the peaceful feeling there.

We spent some time by the main, big fountain.

We enjoyed the pool directly in front of the temple.

My Grandpa Nielsen was one of the contractors on this building, and my parents were sealed here, so it's particularly special to me.

We walked a bit by the stream that runs the length of the front temple grounds.

We explored the upper courtyard behind the temple with the lush flower beds and spectacular view of the Bay Area.

We made sure to let the girls touch the temple doors.

They briefly left their mark.

While Julie was capturing this photo,

this little imp stole the high heels she had kicked off.

We stopped by the Visitor's Center where the sweet senior missionaries took a photo of our family and posted it on their facebook page.

Having just seen The Painted Ladies, we truly appreciated this display.

Temples from the Old Testament, New Testament and our time.

 We left not feeling quite so weighed down by the worries of the world.

  A bit happier.

A bit lighter.

A bit more free.

My niece Elizabeth was baptized in the afternoon and I'm so glad the girls could be there to support their cousin. The ordinance took place in the same font where both her mother and father were baptized, which was so sweet. 

For some odd reason, the only photo I have from the occasion is this one of Brigitta when she found a fake moustache.

Oh that girl!

It was time to wrap up the Wuehler Family Reunion and say goodbye to the cousins.

Vanessa worked so hard on the whole thing, she really deserved that nap!