Girl's Camp 2011

Hurricane Stake's annual Girl's Camp was held June 21-25th. I had three of my daughters attend and Trevon spent his days working, so our home was reduced to three children for the most part. At first I thought the week would be more difficult with all of my big helpers away. It was, however, very pleasant and enjoyable; even fun!

I was invited to go on the fourth year hike. It was Sadie's fourth year of camp. We met early on Tuesday morning and then drove to the start of the Water Canyon trail.



The trail was sandy and a steady climb. There was shade most of the way and when we reached the end (about a mile from the start), we came to a beautiful area with water dripping down the rock walls. It was almost cold in the wet, shaded canyon. I knew Mike would love this place and decided I would take him in the near future.



After the hike, we ate lunch at a park and then I headed home while the girls and their leaders drove to Kolob where they would spend the rest of the week. Fourth Year Graduation!





This was Cari's 7th year of girl's camp. She went as a youth leader, or "Uniteer." The Uniteers (5th, 6th & 7th years), spent Tuesday night at a cabin where they played games, shot at targets with a paintgun, and had a good time getting to know each other and strengthen friendships. They headed to camp on Wednesday.






This was Kristi's first year at girl's camp. Everyone slept it tents. The first years shared a tent, as did second year girls, third year girls, fourth year girls, Uniteers, and Women leaders. Each ward had a designated area to camp in and cook their meals, etc. Each girl was assigned a "secret sister" within her ward to whom she left a treat or kindness with (secretely) each day of camp. All the wards, together making up the stake, gathered together for flag ceremonies, activities (like canoeing, the zip line and rock wall), hikes, firesides/devotionals, crafts and certification. Each individual ward also did their own things at camp including crafts, cooking, games, etc. Kristi gave Sadie a lesson at making a bracelet.



Camp wouldn't be camp without roasting a marshmallow!



Wednesday night's meal was Cafe' Rio! Other meals included Dutch Oven Chicken and Potatoes, Hamburgers and Tacos. Pancakes, eggs and bacon was a breakfast favorite.



The theme for camp this year was "MISSION POSSIBLE." Each ward was assigned a country to represent and based their skits and roll call "yell" around their country. Our ward was assigned the country of Japan.





Kristi riding the Zip Line:





Dressed up in their camp t-shirt and such...





The girls had a wonderful time and were spiritually uplifted throughout the week. They strengthened friendships, and grew in their knowledge of various things too. While I enjoyed a quiet week, I must say that I was very glad to have them return home as well. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, you know!

Father's Day

This morning Mike woke to breakfast in bed. He is not a big breakfast eater, but today he made an exception!





I put up a couple of banners in the house expressing our love for Mike and letting him know he is the BEST DAD there is. Still, I think Trevon's gift said it best:



We shared our gifts with Mike after breakfast. He ended up with a lot of goodies, a much needed new watch and some slippers.





WE LOVE YOU MIKE! Thanks for being such a great father and for bringing happiness into our home - EVERY day! You truly are AWESOME!!!

California

Our family went to California for a vacation this past week. On Monday we headed to Knotts Berry Farm and played there the entire day.



The first ride we went on was the Log Ride. It was a fun way to start our day!
Elise was a little nervous about this ride. (Waiting in line:)


(On the ride:)


We split into two groups and Cari and Trevon spent an hour and a half waiting to ride the roller coaster "Ghost Rider." The rest of us rode on a variety of things (not so scary) until lunch time.





Included in our ticket price was a meal in the park, at SPURS Back Yard BBQ. It was an all you can eat buffet and a nice rest in the middle of our day.





I went on Montezooma's Revenge (Roller Coaster) with Mike, Cari and Trevon. The worst part of it was the anticipation I felt BEFORE the ride. The ride itself was fine....it is funny how we sometimes get ourselves worked up over nothing! UUUGGGHHH!

I have a video of Cari and Trevon riding the XCELERATOR, which goes from zero to 80mph in 2 seconds. They rode all the roller coasters in the park.



All of us smiled most of the day long...








Some of us turned into "hot dogs" before the day was through...



It was a fun start to our week of vacation.





We stayed at the park until closing and watched a light display in the "Camp Snoopy" section of the park before heading to our hotel nearby.

On Tuesday we drove to the San Mateo Campground at San Onofre State Beach where we camped in our tent trailer for the next four days, near the beach.





Mike gave Trevon a lesson in setting up the trailer.



The kids had fun playing in the campground and found ammunition growing on the bushes that made for an interesting game, something similar to dodge ball...









Other camping fun:












In the campground we found Swallows in mud nests attached to the ceiling outside the bathroom/shower stalls. They were fun to watch fly in and out of their nests.




We went to the beach, three days in a row. Wednesday we spent most of the day there. My late brother's son (Aidan), and his mom (Dawn) spent the day with us. It was so good to see them!



At the beach we played frisbee, smashball, rode on the boogie board, played in the sand, collected shells, found sand crabs, watched the surfers and read. It was relaxing just to feel the ocean breeze and listen to the waves splash along the shore. Elise especially loved being chased by the moving water. I loved watching the kids play.

























Going out to dinner was a fun part of our trip too. We got a lot of stares and comments because of the size of our family. It made us appreciate each other all the more, thankful for the relationships we have with each other; happy they will last forever.