Girl's Camp 2012

  Our ward's Girl's Camp was a huge success and so much fun!  It was held up at North Fork Campground.  I was a little nervous about it because I'm not a hugs camper.  I was nervous how my little family would do without me for 3 1/2 days and I wasn't sure how pumping would go up there without power.  But as usual, I shouldn't have worried so much before hand because it all worked out just great and I came home so glad that I was able to go for the whole time.  My kids missed me but my mom and Michael handled everything fine.  Thanks to them! 
  I got to know the girls in our ward so much better and I loved it.  This camp was different than the camps I went to when I was in YW.  We have a small group of girls and because of this we get to know each one better.  We also meet all together each week for activities (we don't break into Laurels, Mia Maids, etc.) and so I think the girls all have a special bond and really care about each other.  I loved that I didn't feel like there were clicks or different groups. 
  We had sure done a lot of planning beforehand including some 5 hr. meetings that went to about midnight, but it was worth it.  Everything was executed as planned and was great-even with our camp director deciding not to go the week before due to the fact that she was 8 months pregnant.   Our camp's theme was " Our Happily Ever After".  Each day was centered around a Disney princess.  The first day was Cinderella Day.  We included our hike on this day since we knew it'd be a bit of work.  The waterfall we hiked to was so pretty though.  That night we had a visit from our Fairy Godmother (our YW President's mom came and gave a great fireside) who gave a great lesson about waiting for your prince charming and making sure he's worthy to take you to the temple.  
  The second day was Rapunzel Day and this day the highlight was for sure the ropes course that we got to participate in.  It was so fun and super scary at the same time!  Weber county runs it and it's basically a big faith challenge as you have to climb a telephone pole, pull yourself up onto a 12 in. "pizza plate" that is super wobbly and then jump off and try to grab on to the trapeze.  You are trusting the 2 belayers on each side of you that are holding your ropes.  Hopefully you can get an idea from the pictures I posted of myself attempting.  The last picture shows me after I'd dropped a bit from the trapeze which I barely missed.  Only one of our girls was able to actually get the trapeze as well as our priesthood guys. 
    It was such a fun afternoon spent encouraging each other and watching everyone face their fears and go for it!  All of our girls tried, some didn't go all the way up but most did. 
  That night we had a spiritual evening as we talked about the glow inside each of us and searching for the light ( just like Rapunzel wanted to see the lanterns) of the gospel. We had candles for each of the girls that we handed out after and lit them one by one. We played a really cute song, "You are the Glow." I love the lyrics to it!
  The 3rd day was Ariel Day and we headed to Pineview for a day of boating and playing in the water.  It was a lot of fun!  Saturday was The Prince of Peace Day and during our scripture study that day we talked about our Savior and how He died for us.  Because of Him we can live again and be forgiven of our sins.  I lead the scripture study that day and it was nice to be able to share my testimony with them. 
  I was so grateful to be able to go and spend the time at camp with them.  We had some awesome late night games of Big Bootie which were so fun!  I won't lie, it was nice to be able to eat when the food was hot and not be feeding 3 kids first.  I loved not having to cook and being made fun of for how much I eat.  :-)  Having to chase raccoons out of our site at midnight after they got into our brownies was quite exciting too!  Once again, I loved it!  Loved my shower once I got home, too. 

Daddy Daughter Campout

  The last weekend in July is Kayleigh's favorite weekend of the year.  Seriously though, she gets so excited for our stake's daddy daughter camp out!  I think this is the third year Michael has taken her and they've had a great time each year. 
  This year as well as last year they drove up with our neighbors which makes it that much more fun for Kayleigh because then she is with her friend, Maura.  They grabbed dinner at KFC on the way up and ate it once they got there.  The campout is held at North Fork Campground up near Eden. 
  They had some fun little activities for the girls to do.  One of these was making a necklace out of a metal washer.  Kayleigh was very proud of hers when she came home on Saturday and got to show me.  I thought it was a cute idea and fun for the daddy's to help their daughters with a girlie craft. 
  On Saturday before comping home they played some games, went on a hike and had a candy toss.  On the drive home they stopped to see a waterfall.  Kayleigh loved it all! 
  I stayed home with the boys and enjoyed some one on one time with them.  We ran to Walmart and I let Landon have McDonald's.  He rode in the cart at Walmart which actually made my shopping trip so easy!  It was nice to not have 2 kids fighting over who gets to ride on the back of the cart and worrying if the cart will fall over with Wyatt in it because they stand on the sides of the cart.  (Yep, that's happened to me at Hobby Lobby, their carts are super small and light weight.)  Anyway, cute Landon definitely missed his sis but we managed fine while they were gone. 
  Until the next daddy daughter campout...

Previewing the floats

  We've said for a few years now that we'd like to head down to the South Towne Expo Center and see the preview of the floats for the Days of '47 Parade.  So this year we actually did it!  It was kind of a last minute decision and had to be a quick trip (I was heading out the next morning early for Girl's Camp) but it was really fun and we will definitely do it again next year.  One of the best parts about it, it was FREE! 
  Many of the floats had little activities for the kids to do.  Of course Kayleigh loved that.  What she loved the most though was being able to get her face painted.  We had to wait in line for awhile but I think it was worth it. So she got a half butterfly painted on her face.  A whole butterfly cost $5 but the half was free.  Landon was in line too but was way too shy/scared to get anything on his face.  Kayleigh did not want to wash it off that night.  I told her it was fine if she wanted to keep it on.  Well, in the middle of the night it was bothering her so Michael helped her wash it off. 
  It was fun to be able to vote for our favorite float, thus helping to choose the "People's Choice Award" for the floats.  The next week as we watched the parade it was fun for Kay and Landon to pick out what floats they recognized and it made the parade watching a little more involved for them. 

Poor Kay Bug

  Once again the mosquitoes found my daughter.  Darn those nasty bugs!  At least this summer's bite wasn't as bad as last year's.  (She got bitten between her eyes on her forehead and it swelled up SO bad we finally took her to an instacare.)  She follows in her mommy's footsteps with this allergy.  Why is it that we always pass on the not so great genes?  I can't complain though, I'm three for three on passing on the long eyelashes. 

Our last summer BoTS party

  What cute pictures, right?  I think my kids looks so cute here!  I'm not biased or anything!  Every summer the Bells on Temple Square have done a summer party.  They are so fun to get together with everyone and get to know one anothers families.  In the past few years the parties have had a theme.  This year was no different, it was a western, cowboy theme.  Usually I don't get too into it, but for some reason his year I thought it'd be fun.  Kayleigh got into it as well and really wanted a cowgirl hat.  Thank goodness for Cal Ranch and their cheapo hats she got what she wanted. 
  With my sister and I both "retiring" from the bells this summer, this was our last party.  I was grateful to be able to go one more time and say goodbye.  I've had such a great time and great experiences in the bells.  I will miss it for sure.  Maybe some day I can go back.  For now, I am serving in other ways in our ward and I'm really enjoying Young Women's.

Just some random pictures from July

 On a Sunday afternoon

 Awe, 2 boys!

 All enjoying a little Baby Einsteins

 Swimming at Grandpa Royal's neighbor's pool.  Only got one pic then the battery died.

 Kids and Daddy just before bed

All fresh and clean!

Our 4th of July Celebrations

 Yummy popsicles!

 Helping to make lemonade

 Our dinner out of the wagon

  We had a very fun holiday this year.  Time was spent with my family and it was great.  We slept at my parent's house the night of the 3rd.  All the cousins, minus babies, slept together in the basement in our tent.  It was too hot outside to have them be out there plus we didn't want them waking up when the sun came up.  They loved sleeping down there, they thought it was great!
  Michael and my mom ran in races on the morning of the 4th.  Michael did the 10K and my mom the 5K.  Michael took 7th place, I was so proud of him!  His friend and a guy from our ward who also ran the 10K took 5th and 6th place, pretty awesome!  Kayleigh was almost mad that Michael didn't do better.  It was funny, I don't think she understands the whole "place" rankings because 7th is really good in his age division!
  We attended the parade per our usual festivities.  It was pretty lame, just an advertising fest for businesses.  I don't have a problem if they want to advertise, but make a float or something exciting for us to watch.  Of course the candy is entertaining for the kids but even ours got bored by the end and were ready to go.  It was super hot and that didn't help the parade experience either. 
  In the afternoon the kids had fun playing in the pool and having a water fight that Nana started with them.  Poor Nana taught them well, they all ganged up on her and she was sopping wet!
  That evening we made our dinner and then took it up with us to eat before the fireworks started.  It was a pretty fun picnic and we've decided we'll do it again next year.  With the change in firework rules, there were a ton of little "shows" going around in the neighborhoods around the junior high where we watch the big fireworks put on at Davis.  It was fun to watch them and enjoy the night. 
  Cute little Landon was scared of the loud noises associated with the parade (sirens) and fireworks.  he kept covering his ears, it was so cute!  Wyatt sat and watched the firework show and didn't seem to be bothered by it at all.
  I am so grateful for our independence.  We are blessed to live in America.  Happy 4th!