We haven't been able to go to the ward campout for a few years--and after Girls Camp I wasn't sure I'd have energy--since Derek couldn't come. But I'm glad I went. It was so fun! And a bunch of my friends from other wards were there also camping...so added bonus!
Libby couldn't stay overnight--she had to get back for Drill. The the YW had a great time leading songs and reproducing the favorite Girls Camp skit (which explained the extinction of the dinosaurs among other things:).
So the kids have a week and a half of summer left. But I go back tomorrow. I guess I'm ready. But I do feel like I "summered" this year. I relaxed a bit, worked in my garden a lot. I read lots of books. I organized things. I completed most of my Summer 6. (Go to the temple 6 times, have our family do 6 acts of service, play the piano 6 days a week--when not on vacation, try 6 new recipes, have Sarah and Ben swap bedrooms & paint Ben's old room for Sarah). I also wanted to go on 6 hikes. But instead I went on one big fat hard hike yesterday. I'm going to start the school year very sore!
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| We also had a youth activity at Richmond Beach this week--it wasn't a swimming activity. But Sarah and Ben turned it into one. (Sarah in jeans and a T). My van was disgusting after I drove them home. |
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| One of our service activities this week was to sort school supplies that are going to each school for students in need. It was really fun and it felt good to do good. |
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| AND--Libby got her permit! Wow! She starts drivers ed classes tomorrow. Crazy! |
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| We did some school shopping. Ben texted pictures of his shoe options to get his sisters' advice. Adorable. |
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| Last Saturday Ben got to go to the Celebrate Shoreline festival and hang out with Grandpa who was working the radio booth. They all had a good time. |
I guess I'm ready to go back to school...here goes!
We got home from Utah and had a one day turn around to head to Girls Camp. Thankfully the drive home I felt a lot better than the drive to Utah. We listened to Small Spaces (a Norton Reading Challenge book), I finished Trouble (by Gary Schmidt--loved!) and then I started The Cuckoo is Calling (A mystery novel Derek recommended...it was fun and compelling--but lots of swearing).
The day we were home we had a myriad of appointments. So many, in fact, that I forgot to take Libby to drill. Ugh. But I did manage to fit in a dentist appointment for me (I need a crown, ugh.), and doctors appointments for Sarah and Ben. Then we had my friend and former roommate Laney over for dinner. It was super fun to catch up. She is the one that introduced me to Derek. How did we not even snap a selfie?? Super thankful for her friendship over the years--even though she's been back in Utah for many years. Her kids were so fun. Wish we lived closer.
Then off to Girls Camp. And it was SO fun...all the right things. Spiritual, fun, great weather, and good friends. Some of my favorite women in the stake were there. So I got in some good chatting. Also, since I wasn't in charge--I just got to enjoy myself. I appointed myself camp historian and took lots of pictures. My favorite parts of camp were the Angel Walk (where girls paid compliments to each other--it was beautiful), the lake time (yes, I even got in). I also loved the survivor relays (I rocked my leg of the kayak paddling--even with getting hooked onto another boat and having to get unhooked.). I climbed the easiest wall on the climbing tower. (Libby climbed all of the routes, and Sarah stayed on the ground.)
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| The Leader Survivor Team |
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| Libby rocking her climbing |
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| On the ferry on the way over. We missed the first ferry by about 2 cars. But that gave us enough time to get some Top Pot donuts! |
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| Libby on the rope swing |
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| Sarah going off the slide |
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| We went on a DQ outing! |
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| Me, CLIMBING! |
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| Libby flipping into the water |
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| Archery time! |
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| Our 1/2 of the cabin. So much fun! |
Anyway, I came away from camp with my soul singing--and the girls all did too. Seriously--they all had fun and came to love each other so much more. It was a huge win.
And then the laundry!!! Oh the size of the pile! But it was worth it.
This week I've been catching up on life. 3 weeks of being gone is a lot. My garden needed work. My house needed decluttering. More appointments, of course. I also did a sleep study on Monday in the sleep lab. It'll be interesting to see if they find sleep disturbances that maybe causing my endocrine or muscle recovery issues. One more week free until school starts (for teachers.). Off to the ward campout tonight!
So as I mentioned in the last post--driving to Utah the day after we got back from Wrestling camp was a BAD idea. I was SO tired. It was brutal. We had to make some extra stops too--as we stopped to pick up Quincy and stop to drop off Aidan. I kind of lost it about 10 miles from home when the kids were being goofy. But Sarah was my front seat DJ and kept me going with snacks and songs once we couldn't listen to books anymore because we had friends in the car.
But the girls had camps in UT. So off we went.
Sarah LOVED her writing camp. Each afternoon my village helped provide her transportation, shopping, and housing--since it was a day camp. She stayed with Sandra Thorne (my mom transporting) and my cousin Shelley (who provided transport.). I went down for the final day--surprising her for lunch and to see her final project. Libby said next year she wants to do writing camp too--and we'll do a sleep over camp.
Libby had a rougher go. After the initial excitement of meeting Geneva Gray and Cyler Sanderson (super famous wrestlers) and the first day of wrestling, she started barfing. She wasn't able to keep food down for 24 hours (even with my cousin Josie dropping off some meds to her). So I picked her up on Wednesday morning. Maybe the altitude, maybe a tummy bug (I vomited on the way up to drop her off a but I thought it was maybe motion sickness from riding in the Tesla--my dad gave us a taste of Ludicrous mode). But I was super sad and disappointed that she missed out on such a great opportunity to learn. She wasn't as sad. Even though Geneva Gray ran out and talked to me as we were leaving saying they hope she'll come back--right now she says Center Circle is enough for her. Maybe next year they won't be back to back weeks. Or she could bring a friend. But it was pretty much a waste of $400. Not my favorite. (Also, she left some stuff in the car when we dropped her off, so we had to drive 2 more hours to bring her the stuff.). Ugh.
Ben has had an okay time entertaining cousins. But life got a lot better when I took him on Friday to get his first phone. I've been planning on getting it before school started. Saving a little on sales tax by buying it here seemed like a good choice.
I've been soaking up time with Rachel and all the nieces and nephews. We had a sibling dinner too. It's been fun to catch up with everyone. We also worked on a VERY difficult puzzle. Especially the sky. It's still not done. Ugh.
Overall though--my kids are ready to be home. They miss Buddy. Libby is missing learning the pom routine for drill. But--with only one day home, we will head off to girls camp! Wahoo. Crazy summer!
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| I love babysitting the nephews and niece. Ruger looks great in Rachel's hair! |
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| Ben having fun with his new phone. |
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| So cute to get texts from him. |
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| Reagan is super into hats. She found this hat from my old dance costume. She asked for some "beautiful white socks" so she could recreate this picture. |
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| "Kitten in the Sun." |
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| My dad bought a day with this vehicle (a "side by side") at a youth fundraiser. We took it out yesterday and had a great time in the mountains above their house. I have never been so dirty. I really did enjoy it. |
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| Before--so clean! We should have taken an after picture. |
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| Awesome views. |
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| Sarah with her final project. She wrote a great story! It was 6 pages long. Really well done. |
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| Ben trying a tubby with the cousins. A bit tight these days. They are getting so big! |
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| Auntie Trish took them on an adventure. A trampoline park (looking for AC--sadly it wasn't air conditioned!) and Paces Dairy Ann. |
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| A very warm Get Air experience. |
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| Saying goodbye to Uncle Davey--heading off on his next adventure. |
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| Team Goat! Brad and Ben at Lagoon. |
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| Sarah and her BFF at Writing Camp |
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| The cousins (Ben was at the Wood's and the girls still at their camps) |
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| Sibling Dinner at the Dodo |
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| Getting pics! |
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| Sarah's camp location |
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| Libby's favorite part of Wrestling camp was that it was on a working ranch. She loved the sheep. |
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| And the kitty. |
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| Meeting Geneva Gray (she's a college coach, coached her sister in the Olympics, and just an awesome ambassador for Women's Wrestling)! We were the first campers to arrive. Libby was super star struck. |
Today is our last day in Utah. We'll have a birthday party for Aria, Rachel and Libby. Then back home tomorrow!
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| Libby and Quincy on the road trip to Utah. They had a good time taking LOTS of pictures. I'll just share this gem. |
