In Which Zachary Sits Quietly For Two Hours and Doesn't Complain (Much)

It's most members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' favorite weekend.  Especially if you live in Utah.  Because it's General Conference!  Every first weekend in April and first weekend in October, we gather together at the Conference Center on Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City and listen to our church leaders give us counsel and learn the teachings of the Lord.  The talks are inspired by the leaders and given in four sessions.  You can watch them here.  Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 12:00 and then again from 2:00 to 4:00.  On Saturday evening, there is a Priesthood session for all of the men in the church.  And the Saturday evening before conference there is a Young Women's Session in April and a Relief Society Session in October.  We love it in Utah the most because it is broadcast on the radio and the television and we can stay in our pajamas all day if we want to. :)  Elsewhere throughout the world, you can watch it online or in specified church buildings (we call them Stake Centers).  My sister lives in Minnesota and they get dressed for church and have a mingle (they eat food and talk with their fellow church members between sessions.
Last night, was a pretty special night for Kurtis, though.  He was very excited to get to escort Zachary to his very first Priesthood session.  Now, boys aren't given the priesthood until they are twelve in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Zach doesn't turn twelve until May, but we decided he is old enough. When we mentioned it to our Bishop in December when we met with him, he also suggested we just sneak him in.  So with our Bishop's blessing, we figured we were in the clear (it's not like they check IDs at the door or anything either).
Kurtis told me when the boys were old enough to go, he wanted to take them to dinner afterwards as well.  I agreed that that would be a fun experience for our boys and that he should do it.  So last night, he and Zach went to the Priesthood session and then to Chili's for dinner.  Kurtis left the choice completely up to Zachary.  Apparently, it was packed.  They had to wait for a long time for a table and even though the session is from 6:00 to 8:00, they didn't get home until almost 10:00 p.m.!  I was tempted a few times to call and make sure they weren't goofing off and being hooligans.
Zachary told me that he had a nice time.  While he was there, he felt happy and glad to be there.  Kurtis said that during the last half hour, he kept looking at his watch a bit, but he did great.  My baby is growing up and I couldn't be more pleased!  :)

My handsome men.