YW girl's camp 2011

I'm going to do a big skip and maybe catch up with some other events later. This past week was our Young Women's girls camp. Earlier in the year I was called to be our ward camp director. There were things we did ahead of time to prepare for camp and pass off our requirements for certification. It was finally time to actually head to camp. The 2011 theme for camp was We Believe-the 13th Article of Faith. The shirts had the theme on the front and the whole article of faith on the back. This was almost all the girls from our ward. Two girls and one leader headed up on Mon for a special day of water activities for their age group. There were a total of 19 girls and 3 leaders that headed to camp this year. Several for their 1st time. We were ready to go. The camp was Camp Ta-Ku-La, it is about 2 1/2 hrs. northeast of Houston in the piney woods.


With all the stuff we brought we had to borrow the Boy Scout trailer. Good thing we had it because we would have needed a extra car just for "stuff" It was my 1st time to haul a trailer and I think I did pretty good. Just don't ask me to back it up.

Two of the big attractions at camp were the zipline and rock wall. I tried both and they were great!!!

I made it to the top of the "easy" side of the rock wall and got to sign my name . I tried the medium wall but only made it about 3/4 of the way up. Thank goodness for a harness.

The courtyard of our cabins. I was with the 2nd year girls and we had so many (36) that we couldn't all fit in one cabin. Unfortunately we had to divide them up but the girls did great and made many new friends. Our cabins were the 1st two on the right, Paige's was the last one in that row. The were basic with wood bunkbeds. It was nice that the bathrooms and showers were inside the cabin. The best part was they were air-conditioned. That may seem luxurious but when it was 100+ during the day and not a lot cooler at night it was a blessing to have!

Paige working on her craft-cross stitching. The girls each made a cross stitch that said "We believe" and then were able to put it in a frame they decorated. It was great to see the girls be excited to do the stitchery.

On the last day of camp the older girls organized water games for everyone. This was a relay to empty one bucket and fill another by way of large sponge. The full bucket was then dumped on the camp leaders. The girls had fun getting the leaders soaking.

Paige all set to go on the zipline. Ken did video on his camera but it would not upload here.

This was the outside of Lexi's cabin. This camp was originally a logging community. This building and a church on the property were originaly from the early 1900's. This was used for the 1st years. It was nicknamed the orphanage because there were bunks lining both sides and girls everywhere. I didn't get into it when there weren't girls in it so didn't get a pic but it was a sight to behold. The leaders then had cots down the middle of the area. It was a mass on humanity.

Lexi with two of the other 1st years from our ward. Their leaders gave them the little crowns to remind them they are daughters of a King and are blessed to receive all that He has to give them. A great reminder of our potential here on earth.

Lexi suited up for her go around on the zipline. This was definitely the girl's favorite thing to do, they just didn't like the wait. This guy was great sport to keep all the girls moving along.

Lexi heading down the waterslide. Behind the fence were the 3 pools. Two were shallow and set up for water volleyball and basketball. The other was deeper and had a diving board.

This is all the 2nd year girls. It was quite a feat to get this picture. It was like herding cats to get them all in one place. They were a awesome group of young women and the other leaders were great also.

My girls and I. It was a great experience to be there with them both, whether they liked it or not. The hairstyle they're both sporting is courtesy of moi. I would spend a couple hours each day with someone wanting their hair done. I love to do it and am always happy for the chance to play with someone's hair. I started this when I was the girl's age and was the camp hairbraider.

Ken was asked to come to camp as priesthood leadership. It was great to have him up there with us. We are enjoying the fine cuisine of the camp. This was actually one of the better meals. Chicken strips and mashed potatoes. That was the one drawback that the food was very "institutional" and we'll leave it at that. I appreciate that Ken was willing to come and hang in the heat with us.

This is all the girls, leaders and our bishop from our ward at Girl's camp. On Friday night the bishops are invited up and they come, eat dinner with the girls, participate in some activities and share some counsel with the girls. We are grateful for a bishop that is so supportive of the youth and always willing to do what he can to help them.

I haven't been to girl's camp since I was their age and it was a great week. What a great blessing to have girls and leaders that put so much time and effort into a great program that we can all benefit and grow from.

Ragnar Relay-SoCal 2011

In December of 2010 as we were in Calif celebrating Christmas with our family we were talking and the subject of running was brought up. My sister Heather that is just younger than me has been participating in 1/2 marathons and has run the Ragnar relay 2x's. She was getting a team together and she, my other two sisters, Amy and Sara, John, Amy's husband, nephew Chase and others were all going to run the Ragnar in Southern California in April 2011. They asked if I wanted to do it also. I used to run but it has been many years since I have done this. I do walk and work out regularly but running is whole different thing. I naively agreed and began my training. I started with short distances and built up from there. April quickly approached and my goal was to do the relay and live to tell the tale. About a week before the race someone else on the team dropped out and so Taylor decided to take their place. Oh, the advantage of youth.

The Ragnar relay is a 12 man relay that covers about 200 miles. There are two vehicles for the team with 6 team members in each. Each team member runs 3 different legs of the race. You start with #1, proceed through each one and then start all over doing this 3 times. The lengths of run and difficulty vary so there is places for everyone from the novice runner to the experienced. There is continuous running, so you catch sleep just in between your legs. There is usually about 4-5 hrs for a regular team between each vehicle's turn. Pretty crazy but lots of fun.

Taylor and I flew to Calif. and met up with everyone and we were ready to go. The race began by my sister's in Corona so we went there the 1st night to get the supplies all ready. We had two suburbans and each needed food and water. This is during the process. We also checked our race legs and how this would all work out.

Our start time was 6:30 a.m. The teams started at different times to accomodate for their estimated running times. The race started in Huntington Beach and it was pretty chilly that morning. Our team name was the whole Fam Damily as indicated on the car. Our vehicle had myself, my 3 sisters and two brothers-in-law John and Chris.

As each runner runs, the support van follows and goes to the designated exchange place. Then the next runner waits and prepares for their turn. This continues throughout the 200 miles. This is the motto of the race. You see the sleep portion is with question.

There is day light approaching and the race is ready to begin. My sister Heather was the 1st runner. From 6:30 p.m. to 6:45 a.m. the runners are required to wear reflective vests, and headlamp and red butt lamp. So Heather had to start all geared up.

After all of us in our vehicle ran our 1st leg, we were right by Heather's house. We went and crashed for a bit, and cleaned up since that would be the last time before the end of the race. It was porta potties from there on out. This was the four sisters at the 1st main exchange between vehicles.

This was the 2nd vehicle for our team. It was my nephew's friend, my nephew Chase, Taylor, and 3 others from the area. The ladies were friends of a friend and wanted to participate in the race but didn't have a team. The guys were good about taking care of the driving and navigating. They had the harder, more strenuous parts of the race but did great. Again, youth is a great asset.

My last leg of the race ended at the beach. It was beautiful California weather and wonderful to run in. I was just so happy that I was able to complete my part without any real issues.

The four sisters at the end of our last rotation. We weren't as fresh as the 1st picture.

This race goes through all sorts of areas, urban, stream beds, residential etc. These are some of the scenery along the way. It was Chamber of Commerce weather for Ca.

Anaheim

Encinitas
San Diego Harbor

This is Taylor coming in from his last leg. Each runner had to wear a slap bracelet and that is what is used for the hand off.

Taylor and I at the Finish line. The race ended in Coronado Island by San Diege. Everyone got a t-shirt and medal

Our whole team. This was the only time we were all together.

The 4 sisters-we did it!!! And we want to do it again. We'll see.

Jordan turns 22

My boy turned 22 this year. Unbelievable. It was probably pretty uneventful to him since he had to work all day. (the reality of being an adult). He did get a cupcake at work (thanks Holly) and then we had our celebration in the evening.

Each year the kids get to choose where to go for dinner. It used to be McDonald's and the playland was sufficient but unfortunately their taste for better food improves with age. Jordan chose El Rancho this year. They recently changed their location so we had to go and see their new place. Same great food.



Jordan with his presents

In the midst of opening.

Making a wish. Happy Birthday Jordan, we can't believe the past 22 years have flown by. We are so grateful for having you in our family and blessing you are.

Texas bluebonnets

The Texas state flower is the bluebonnet, they bloom March through mid April and are beautiful when you see a whole meadow full. This spring because of the draught conditions there were not the plentiful blossoms as we have had in years past.
We go the 1st weekend of April each year to take pictures in the bluebonnets and this year we thought we were going to have to miss. We drove to all the usual spots and found a small clump here and there but no meadows. Just before we gave up we came across this one. It's by no means the usual spendor but we went for it.

The girls in the bluebonnets



The boys

All 4 of my kids.

We always go with our friends the Boyers and then we can take turns with the camera. Afterwards we share a picnic dinner. We have found this great city park in a small town along the way.

Spring break camping

Spring break we take a few days and head out of town to camp. There aren't a lot of times that are fun to camp in Texas but this is one of them. It was awesome weather and there were great friends and we had a great time.

The kids made themselves capes out of pillowcases. Lexi decorating hers


Our traditional 1st night meal-milkjug dinner. Ham, sausage, cabbage, corn, potatoes, carrots all steamed and yummy. A little dijon mustard and it's all good.

All the kids on the playground. It was quite a feat getting everyone there without anyone falling

One form of entertainment this year was the marshmallow guns. We all had a good time with them. They are a blow gun design, just don't inhale. The racoons loved cleaning up at night any leftovers. Beware-marshmallows can hurt!

The adults even got involved. Thanks Harolds for bringing the fun.

Jordan loading up the ammo for the big boy fun. The little kids were dying to get in on the action.

Here they are with the launching slingshot.

And these are the catchers. At least trying to, many times the balloon broke before ever getting to the ground.

All of us in front of our tent. Taylor didn't get to stay the whole time, he had to work but we were glad for the time we had to spend together.

To celebrate St. Patrick's day Taylor had green temporary hair dye. Michael was the willing victim here.

The big crowd pleaser S'mores

Warming up the tortillas for fajitas

The girls had dish duty for breakfast dishes.

There was entertainment for all ages. crafts for the little ones

and the big ones

games for the teenagers

and even an egg hunt

Most of the kiddos before heading home. It was a great couple of days and we look forward to next year.