United Spiritual Army Girl's Camp 2010

Last January, when all was dreary outside, I got a call to be the Young Women Camp Director. I must say, I was quite excited. You see, no one can build a camp fire quite like I can. I LOVED girl's camp when I was a youth and I couldn't wait to spread the enthusiasm. After a largely successful fundraiser in March and several hours of planning meetings, girl's camp at Heber Valley finally arrived. It was great!! Here are a few of the highlights:

We put the girls into four groups and assigned a youth camp leader (YCL) over each group. This is also how they got their cabin assignments. Below are the girls in their YCL groups.

Left to right: Chelsee, Shyann, Rebecca, Aubree, Abby, and Emily

Left to right: Shae, Rachael, Jessica, Hillary, Emily, and Kate

Karlie, McKenna, Jessi, Mary, and Veronica

Matti, Hannah, Allie, Jane, Haley, and Sarah

We went to the ropes course on Tuesday and had a great time (even though I ended up on my rump several times during the course--providing much laughter for the girls and leaders). We were all able to ride a giant swing. It was awesome. It definitely was a thrill. Jeremy came up later in the week and went and helped at the ropes course. He was able to ride the giant swing as well.

Here are the best leaders known to man kind. From right to left: Barb, Cheryl, Me, Raylynn, Sherri, Camie, GayeLynne, Elaine, and Jessica. We had one leader (Jill) go home after the first day because she was sick.

Our fabulous hike. We got lost a few times and had to back track. We even accidentally made a full circle at the beginning of our hike and ended up back at our campsite. Oops! Once again, I provided much laughter for the girls and leaders.

When we broke for lunch during our hike, we had a talk about returning to virtue. We tied gold fabric onto our flag to dedicate ourselves in being virtuous. In the picture we are showing a "v" for virtue.

All the girls with our "Aunt Samantha" whom we threw fiery darts at. We then helped her put on the whole Armor of God so the fiery darts wouldn't stick. Once again, the girls are showing the "v" to show their commitment to virtue.

Ah, the lake. What a great time. You know, not once did I or anyone I know fall in the lake when I went to girl's camp as a girl. This year at girl's camp two of our girls' boats flipped along with one other boat. I think our lake time was quite memorable for the missionaries working there. The whole tipping of the boats started with the girls splashing the leaders. Well, the above leaders (Gayelynne and Elaine) decided to retaliate. The girls panicked, causing their boat to flip and they ended up in the water.

Camie and I rescued Aubree, Matti and Chelsee from the water and put them on our boat.

Then the other boat flipped. Another leader boat rescued Emily. They must have had a hard time paddling in--Emily was dragging her foot in the water the whole way back to the dock. (Those paddle boats were hard work!)

And the other lake casualties Kate and Hillary. The lake was quite memorable this year!

Girls camp was great! I am so glad that I was given the opportunity to be a leader this year and go up with these fantastic girls!

Benjamin Farms

In June (I know I am a bit behind in my blogging), we went on a tour of Benjamin Farms. It is a free tour of a working farm that is run by a family. The kids had a great time and loved feeding and petting all of the animals. Kayden even had a run-in with a goat and ended up on his rump! (Let's just say that Kayden doesn't have a way with animals.)

This is the farm's pet turkey. That is right, a pet turkey. It just lays around in the yard and lets anyone and everyone give her a pet, including Kayden.

This would be the goat that Kayden had a run-in with. Here is Jaxon feeding the goat, as he was supposed to. Kayden chose to chase the goat and the goat had had enough and used his horns to give him a push to the ground. It was quite funny!

McKay feeding the same goat.

Feeding the sheep. Kayden thought it was hilarious for some reason. Joshua (left) started up a collection of turkey feathers.

Josh feeding the sheep with Camron (my nephew) being pinned to the gate. Camron wanted nothing to do with it.

Josh feeding a goat.

Grandma helped Kayden feed the sheep so he wouldn't end up on his rump again. He loved it.

McKay and Jaxon petting the animals.

We had a great time at the farm and we learned a lot. If you're ever looking for something to do with your family, go take a free tour of Benjamin Farms!

Lake Powell

My cousin Eldon and his wife Sandra invited us to go to Lake Powell and stay on their houseboat with them early this summer. We were very excited to go. Our cousins from Idaho met us down there and we were all able to have a great time! Be prepared for the long picture post below:

Joshua and Samantha going on a boat ride. I think Josh used his goggles as sunglasses a good portion of the trip.

Bryan on sitting in the the nose in the boat with Kayden and my cousin's grandson. We had a great time getting to know new cousins and rekindling friendships with known cousins.

Kayden went for a float in the tube with Sandra and the cousins. He was having a great time and then in the blink of an eye he fell asleep (above).

I can't say I am thrilled about this picture. I didn't want the kids to do any cliff jumping, but when dad give the "ok" what do you do? Just watch and pray nothing bad happens. Above Jaxon is taking a big leap into the lake while McKay is watching him below.

Cool picture, eh? Josh loved jumping off the back of the houseboat into the lake.

On Sunday, we took a long boat ride to Rainbow Bridge National Monument. On the way there, both Josh and Kayden fell asleep while sitting with their dad in the boat.

The family at Rainbow Bridge. We were being a little silly. Let me tell you though, it was HOT!

Our family at Rainbow Bridge.

After our hike to Rainbow Bridge, we were hot and needed to beat the heat, so we went for a drive down Cathedral Canyon to eat lunch and go for a swim. The canyon was beautiful and the water was great! Above is Lachlan, myself, Bryan and Samantha. We swam from the boat over to the canyon wall.

Kayden loved riding in the boat.

We all took turns trying to learn to wake board. This is McKay. He actually got up, but wouldn't straighten his legs, so he spilled. I was in the water behind him trying to help him out. It was exhausting, but lost of fun!

After McKay was done (he was worn out) I decided to take a try. Let's just say this is the only picture you can see me, other wise I was doing a face plant.

Jeremy got up for a bit as well, only he tried crossing the wakes right away and lost his balance. It was fun trying. Perhaps we will have better luck next time.

Josh swimming off the back of the houseboat.

This giant tube is called an Ion. It was definitely a lot of fun. The kids had a great time on it when it was tied to the back of the houseboat. Above Jaxon is showing his awesomeness.

We also had a great time on the Ion being pulled behind the boat. On this ride we had all of our family. From left to right: McKay, Josh, Jeremy, me, Kayden, Jaxon. ALL of us loved riding on the Ion. Kayden couldn't wait until it was his turn. He was quite the dare devil.

McKay, "No hands!"

Jeremy balancing while taking a ride.

Sandra let Jaxon take a turn driving the boat. Jaxon was in heaven and Sandra made it to his favorites list. We all had a great time on the trip and we are so glad that Sandy and Eldon invited us down. I hope it isn't to long before we get to hang out with our cousins again!

Hey It's McKay's Birthday, Shout Hooray!

My boy turned 11 today. Hard to believe that he has gone from my almost 10 pound baby to my almost 100 pound 11 year old. Here are some birthday highlights:

McKay had a friend's birthday party last week. McKay was happy because his cousins were in town to help celebrate his birthday. They were able to come to his party.

The giving of presents. Oh McKay was hyper. He was talking about eight octaves higher than his normal voice. Above is Tye "bumping" him on the head.

McKay's friend Colby didn't quite understand our family tradition of "Heavy heavy hang over thy poor head". Instead of bonking him on the head with a his present, he smacked McKay's head with his hand. I don't think McKay was expecting that!

McKay bracing for the next bump on the head given by his friend Jacob.

Here McKay is showing some of his hyperactivity when William bonked him on the head.

McKay's cousin Lachlan taking his turn. The cousins are very aware of the birthday gift giving process at our house.

Marissa giving McKay a whack.

McKay wanted to go Laser Tagging for his birthday party. We played two 15 minute games and had a great time. Josh, Lachlan and Marissa were part of one team.

Jacob, William, Colby, McKay and Samantha were part of another team. (They were part of my team and I must say, we rocked!)

The next day we went to Cowabunga Bay with the cousins and a good friend of ours, Marilyn. She is an amazing cake decorator and brought this soccer cake to celebrate McKay's and Bryan's birthday (Bryan's birthday is just a few days before McKay's).

Finally, the actual day McKay was born arrived. He couldn't wait to go out to eat to his restaurant of choice: Pizza Pie Cafe, an all you can eat pizza place. I have to say, it was quite tasty. When McKay learned of all the different dessert pizzas, he opted not to have a birthday cake. So we put a candle in a cinnamon stick. Here he is blowing out his candle.

More bonking on the head for gift receiving time. Here he is bracing for the whack that Jaxon was going to give him. Jaxon looks determined and McKay looks nervous.

Opening gifts. Nothing is better than spending your birthday with your family.

11 Things We Love About McKay:

1. He is an awesome brother. He has recently taken on more responsibility as a brother. He has tried to learn how to put diapers on Kayden and I have to say, he has surprised me at his skill. Too bad he didn't learn this skill five years ago.
2. He loves building with Legos.
3. His love for playing the Wii and the computer. (This isn't my favorite thing about McKay, but it is something that he loves.)
4. He is a great scouter. He has been very responsible and concerned about earning all of his cub scout awards before he turned 11.
5. He is a collector. He will collect just about anything you let him. His rock collection is so big that it had to be moved from his drawer into the garage. Sorry if any decorative rocks are missing from your yard.
6. Man he is growing fast. He is in a mens size 8 shoe and a size 14 in clothing. Like I said, he weighs nearly 100 pounds. It is all in his height.
7. He loves, loves, loves to read. And I love, love, love discussing books with him.
8. He is a fantastic student. He gets great grades. He tries to get all his homework done as soon as he can. Often I find him doing homework while waiting for carpool after school. That way he has more time for friends and number 3.
9. He is a great friend and he loves hanging out with them.
10. He is one daring boy. He has a sense of adventure and is willing to try just about anything.
11. He calls himself "The Meat King". This kid loves meat. What do you want for dinner? Meatloaf. What do you want for dinner tomorrow? Steak. Can I have three hamburgers for dinner? (No wonder he is growing so fast.)

We love you McKay! Happy Birthday! I am so glad you are my boy. I can't wait to see what you will do and what you will become. We love you!