Bridal Veil Falls

We hope everyone has been out enjoying the weather...We sure have! Yesterday we went on a van ride through the canyon to visit Bridal Veil Falls. The van was nearly packed full as a result of spring fever rolling in. Although the weather was perfect, the road was closed so we weren't able to get close. Our next ride we'll have to get a closer view. However, what we could see was beautiful. It's always fun to go adventure and spend time with one another while checking out the great scenery Utah Valley has to offer.

For those of you who are too far to visit Bridal Veil Falls here's a photo for your viewing pleasure. And for those of you who aren't too far...go check it out for yourself! :)

Daydream Believers

While we're on the topic of bucketlists...we decided to post a classic that we were able to enjoy a couple days ago. Whenever we get music going there always seems to be some toe tapping, dancing and singing, and even trips down memory lane to follow. Everyone has all sorts of fun memories to share once we get some oldies playing. Here is one of the favorites of the day. Enjoy!

Beehive Bucketlist

Last week our Orem and Provo Beehive Homes participated in a "Bucketlist Contest". We asked each of the residents what is left on their bucketlists. The activity was eye-opening. Although all of the residents have lived inspiring lives filled with great success and adventure, it was a wonderful experience to be able to hear what they would still like to accomplish. 

The most common desire was to visit and spend more time with family. Nearly every resident mentioned a desire to visit relatives near or far, or even have some of their dearest loved ones back on earth with them to be alongside them as they checked items such as "traveling the world" off of their bucketlists.

Below, we've listed a few items from different residents' bucketlists:

Visit the Holy Land (Jerusalem)

Go hunting and fishing in Alaska

Find gold

Learn piano

Travel to Switzerland

Revisit Pompeii and take time to explore the city and its history

Swim at the many beaches in Hawaii

Spend a weekend at Disneyland

Learn how to work an iPhone :)

It was inspiring to visit with all of the residents and learn of their greatest goals and desires. Not included on the list above are some of the most heart warming responses such as "have compassion for others, help people, learn to understand each person", to be "cheerful and thankful", and to be "active in grand children's lives". This activity was yet another reminder that we truly have amazing residents at Beehive Homes and we are so grateful for the inspiration and joy they bring us! 

Utah Lake

Every other Wednesday we go on a van ride to enjoy all of the beautiful scenery the area has to offer. Today we journeyed to Utah Lake. It was our second visit to the lake, but now that the lake is thawed out from the wonderful weather we've been having we were able to feed the seagulls. The scenery was amazing and so was the company! We hope you all are enjoying the great weather we've been having.

 

The seagulls were out enjoying the lake also (and enjoying the crackers we feed them even more)!

Flowers and Cards

With February being the month of love, we've been doing all sorts of activities and crafts to help everyone feel loved here at Beehive Homes. Last week, we crafted our own flowers since the winter weather has made it impossible to grow our own real flowers. It was a fun activity that was able to put a smile on everyone's faces. Today, in order to prepare ourselves for Valentine's Day that will soon be upon us, we made cards to give to our loved friends and family. It's been a great month so far full of love and friendship!

  

Do you want to build a snowman?

Although it's been more rainy lately than snowy, we embraced the winter season by building snowmen a couple weeks ago. It was a blast to to see the snowmen come to life, but even better to be able to eat the finished product (and also a bit sad to see them go).

In case you want to build your own adorable snowmen, we've included the materials and directions:

Jumbo marshmallows

Skewer sticks

Rolos

Mini chocolate chips

Pretzel sticks

Mini icings

Use the pointed end of the skewer to stick on three jumbo marshmallows. With the pointed end of the skewer, stick the rolo on top of the marshmallows as the snowman's "top hat". Gently stick the pretzel sticks on the middle marshmallow (as arms). Dab white icing on the middle marshmallow where you will place the mini marshmallows (for the snowman's buttons), and two dabs on his face for the eyes. Place the mini chocolate chips on the white icing spots to make sure they will not fall off. Use red/orange icing to draw a nose and black to dot on his smile. There are all sorts of different variations of materials to use so feel free to change it up depending on your preferences! Last but certainly not least, EAT THEM!

Since we had this song stuck in our heads all day as we built and ate these snowmen, we figured we'd spread the love and get it inside your head as well! Enjoy! :)

Wednesday Adventures

Every other Wednesday we go on a van ride to explore the city or nature. We weren't able to go this week, so we reminisced of the ride we went on two weeks ago. The van took us to downtown Provo so we could see the new Mormon temple in the process of being built. 

The temple that is being built is to replace the Tabernacle that was previously there, but was destroyed by a fire December 17, 2010. They are restoring the damaged Tabernacle in order to make it into a temple. We were able to hear more about it as the missionaries hopped on our bus to share some quick facts on the current construction:

The groundbreaking was May 12, 2012 and there is not yet a completion date set.

All of the spires will be repaired and reinstalled. One spire will need to be significantly rebuilt due to the fire.

The design is Pioneer Gothic.

Total building square footage is just under 90,000.

Only the original tabernacle will be above ground plus a pavilion/waiting room will be built on the south for brides and grooms to meet wedding parties.

The building to the north and all the parking to the west and south will be below grade.

There are no plans for a visitors center.